A DMV disability placard lets you park in spaces reserved for people with disabilities

A DMV disability placard is a permit that hangs from your rearview mirror or attaches to your dashboard. It tells parking enforcement that your vehicle is authorized to use accessible parking spaces — the ones closest to building entrances, with extra room for wheelchairs or walkers. The placard is issued by your state's DMV and is only valid in that state, though many states honor placards from other states.

You do not need to own the vehicle to get a placard. The permit is tied to the person with the disability, not the car. That means you can use it in any vehicle you are riding in — a friend's car, a taxi, a rental — as long as the placard is displayed. If you lose the placard or it is stolen, you can request a replacement from your DMV.

Placards come in two types: permanent and temporary. A permanent placard has no expiration date and is issued when your disability is expected to be long-term or lifelong. A temporary placard expires after a set period — usually six months to two years — and is issued when your disability may improve or when you are recovering from surgery or injury.

Key Takeaways

  • A DMV disability placard allows you to park in accessible spaces and is issued based on a medical condition that limits your mobility.
  • You must have a doctor or medical professional complete a form stating your disability; the DMV does not make the medical information itself.
  • Permanent placards do not expire, while temporary placards must be renewed after the expiration date listed on them.
  • The placard is tied to you as a person, not to a specific vehicle, so you can use it in any car you are riding in.
  • Displaying a placard you are not authorized to use, or letting someone else use yours, is illegal and can result in fines and loss of the permit.

Who can get a DMV disability placard

Your state's DMV issues placards to people whose disabilities significantly limit their ability to walk. This includes people who use wheelchairs, walkers, canes, or crutches; people with severe arthritis or joint problems; people recovering from surgery; people with heart or lung conditions that make walking difficult; and people with other conditions that a doctor confirms limits mobility. The specific list of may have access to conditions varies slightly by state, but the core principle is the same: the disability must make walking to and from a parking space genuinely difficult or unsafe.

You cannot get a placard based on age alone, even if you are elderly. You cannot get one because you have a chronic illness that does not affect your ability to walk. You cannot get one because you are pregnant. The disability must directly impact your mobility and your ability to walk distances.

If you are unsure whether your condition qualifies, contact your state DMV office directly. They can tell you whether your specific situation meets the standard. Some states have a phone line or online chat for this question; others require you to visit in person or call a local branch.

How to request a DMV disability placard

The process starts with a form from your DMV. Most states call this the "process for Disabled Person Parking Permit" or "Physician's Statement for Disabled Parking." You can read the form from your state DMV website, pick one up at a DMV office, or request one by mail. The form has two parts: one you fill out, and one that must be completed by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or other medical professional authorized in your state.

The medical professional must examine you or review your medical records and confirm that your disability limits your ability to walk. They sign the form and date it. This is not a lengthy process — many doctors can complete it during a regular appointment or in a follow-up visit. Some charge a small fee for this service; others do not. Call your doctor's office ahead of time to ask whether they charge and how long it takes.

Once the form is signed, you submit it to your DMV along with proof of identity and proof of residency. Some states accept the form by mail; others require you to submit it in person at a DMV office. A few states now allow online submission through their website. Check your state DMV website for the current method and any additional documents needed.

Processing time varies by state. Most issue placards within two to four weeks of receiving a complete process. Some states are faster; others may take longer if they are processing a high volume of requests. You will receive notice when your placard is ready for pickup or when it has been mailed to you.

Permanent versus temporary placards

A permanent placard is issued when your disability is expected to last indefinitely or for the rest of your life. Conditions like spinal cord injury, severe arthritis, or advanced Parkinson's disease typically may have access to for a permanent placard. Permanent placards do not expire and do not need to be renewed. If your permanent placard is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement, usually at no cost or for a small fee.

A temporary placard is issued when your disability is expected to improve or when you are in recovery. Someone healing from knee surgery, recovering from a heart attack, or temporarily using a walker after an accident would receive a temporary placard. Temporary placards are valid for a set period — typically six months, one year, or two years, depending on your state and your medical condition. The expiration date is printed on the placard itself.

When your temporary placard expires, you can request a renewal if your condition has not improved. You will need to submit a new medical form from your doctor. If your condition has improved and you no longer need the placard, you can straightforward let it expire or return it to your DMV.

What happens when you use your placard

When you park in an accessible space, the placard must be clearly visible. If you have a hanging placard, it goes on your rearview mirror. If you have a dashboard placard, it goes on your dashboard where parking enforcement can see it from outside the vehicle. Parking enforcement officers and lot attendants check the placard to confirm it is valid and matches the vehicle's license plate (in states that require this). If the placard is expired, missing, or not displayed correctly, you can receive a parking citation.

You can only use the accessible space if you are the person named on the placard, or if you are transporting the person named on the placard. If you are dropping off a passenger with a disability, you can use the space while they are in the building. Once they have exited the vehicle, you must move the car if you are not going to accompany them inside. Some parking lots have different rules, so check the signage.

Accessible spaces are not "extra convenient" spaces for people without disabilities. They are reserved for people with mobility disabilities. Using a placard you are not authorized to use — borrowing someone else's, using an expired one, or displaying a fake placard — is illegal in all states. Penalties include fines ranging from $100 to $1,000 or more, depending on your state, and possible loss of your own placard if you have one.

Scams and misuse to watch for

Fake disability placards are sold online and at some flea markets. These are illegal to purchase, possess, or use. Law enforcement and parking enforcement agencies have become better at spotting fakes — they check for security features, verify the placard number in the state system, and cross-reference the license plate. If you are caught with a fake placard, you face criminal charges, not just a parking fine.

Some people borrow a family member's placard to park in accessible spaces when that family member is not in the vehicle. This is also illegal. The placard is tied to the person with the disability, not the vehicle. If you are not transporting the person named on the placard, you cannot use it.

If you see someone misusing a disability placard — parking in an accessible space without displaying one, using an obviously fake placard, or using someone else's placard — you can report it to parking enforcement or local police. Most parking lots have a phone number posted for reporting violations.

Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged placard

If your placard is lost, stolen, or damaged, contact your state DMV to request a replacement. Most states allow you to request a replacement online, by phone, by mail, or in person. You will need to provide your name, date of birth, and the placard number if you remember it. Some states charge a small replacement fee; others issue replacements at no cost.

Processing time for a replacement is usually faster than the original process — often one to two weeks. In the meantime, if you need to use accessible parking, ask your doctor for a temporary written statement confirming your disability. Some parking enforcement officers will accept this as temporary proof while you wait for your replacement placard, though this is not may provide. It is worth asking.

If your placard was stolen, some states allow you to file a police report and submit it with your replacement request. This may waive the replacement fee or speed up processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use someone else's disability placard if they give me permission?

No. The placard is issued to a specific person and can only be used when that person is in the vehicle. Using someone else's placard, even with their permission, is illegal and can result in a fine. If you need accessible parking for your own disability, you must get your own placard through your DMV.

What if my disability improves and I no longer need the placard?

You can return your placard to your DMV or straightforward stop using it. If it is a temporary placard, it will expire on its own. If it is a permanent placard and you want to formally surrender it, contact your DMV. There is no penalty for no longer needing the placard.

Do I need to renew my permanent placard?

No. Permanent placards do not expire and do not need to be renewed. They remain valid for life unless your state changes its rules, which is rare. If your permanent placard is lost or damaged, you can request a replacement.

Can I get a placard if I am visiting another state?

No. Placards are issued by individual states and are only valid in that state. Most states honor placards from other states, so if you have a valid placard from your home state, you can use it when visiting. If you live in one state but spend significant time in another, you may need to get a placard from both states.

What if my doctor refuses to sign the medical form?

Your doctor can only refuse if they believe your disability does not meet the criteria for a placard. If you disagree, you can seek a second opinion from another medical professional. Some states allow you to appeal a denial by submitting additional medical evidence or requesting a review by the DMV medical officer.