What a California handicap parking permit is and who can get one

A California handicap parking permit is a placard or license plate issued by the DMV that lets you park in designated accessible spaces. The permit is free. You display it on your rearview mirror (placard) or replace your regular plate with a special plate (permanent or temporary plate). The spaces themselves are reserved under state law — a regular car parked there can be cited and towed, even if the driver is only running in for a minute.

You can get a permit if you have a permanent or temporary disability that makes walking difficult or impossible. This includes mobility disabilities, some respiratory conditions, some cardiac conditions, and some disabilities affecting vision or balance. You do not need to be in a wheelchair to may have access to. The DMV does not decide may be able to access — your doctor does, by signing a form.

California issues three types of permits: permanent (no expiration), temporary (usually 6 months), and permanent removable plates (for vehicles you own). You can also get a temporary plate if you are recovering from surgery or injury. Each type has different rules about renewal and transfer between vehicles.

Key Takeaways

  • Your doctor must complete and sign the DMV form DL 629 before you can get a permit — the DMV does not evaluate your condition.
  • You can explore in person at any DMV office, by mail, or through the DMV website, and the permit is issued the same day if you explore in person.
  • Permanent permits never expire, but temporary permits must be renewed every 6 months or when your doctor says the condition has improved.
  • You can have one placard or plate active at a time, but you can transfer a permanent permit between vehicles you own without getting a new one.
  • Misusing a permit — parking in an accessible space when the permit holder is not in the vehicle — is a parking violation with a fine starting at $250.

How to get your doctor to sign the process form

The form you need is called the process for Disabled Person Parking Placard or License Plate, also known as Form DL 629. You can get it from the DMV website, any DMV office, or by calling 1-800-777-0133. Your doctor — a physician, surgeon, psychiatrist, podiatrist, optometrist, or nurse practitioner — must examine you and sign the form. The form asks your doctor to confirm that your condition makes walking difficult or impossible, and whether the permit should be permanent or temporary.

Your doctor does not need to write a separate letter. The DL 629 form itself is the medical certification. If your doctor is unsure whether your condition qualifies, you can show them the DMV's list of may have access to conditions on the form itself, or direct them to the DMV website. Some doctors' offices are familiar with this form and can complete it during a regular visit. Others may charge a small fee for the time it takes to fill it out — this is not set by the DMV and varies by practice.

Keep the signed form with you when you explore. If you are explore by mail, include the original signed form with your process packet. The DMV will not issue a permit without a doctor's signature on the form.

explore in person at a DMV office

Bring your signed DL 629 form, your driver's license or state ID, and your vehicle registration (or proof of ownership if the vehicle is not yet registered). If you are explore for a placard, you do not need the vehicle registration — the placard is not tied to a specific car. If you are explore for a license plate, bring the registration or ownership document for that vehicle.

Walk in to any DMV office during business hours. You can also make an appointment online through the DMV website to skip the walk-in line. Tell the clerk you are explore for a handicap permit. They will check your form, take your information, and issue the permit on the spot. A placard takes a few minutes. A permanent or temporary license plate is ordered and mailed to you within 2 to 3 weeks, but you can request a temporary paper plate to use while you wait.

There is no fee for the permit itself. You do not pay the DMV. If you are replacing a regular license plate with a handicap plate, you do not pay a plate replacement fee either.

explore by mail or online

You can mail your process to the DMV address listed on the DL 629 form. Include the signed form, a copy of your driver's license or ID, and a copy of your vehicle registration (if explore for a plate). Mail it to the address on the form. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks. A placard will be mailed to you. A license plate will be mailed separately.

Some DMV services are also available through the DMV website, though the handicap permit process is not yet fully available online in all cases. Check the DMV website to see if you can start an process there — if the option is available in your region, you can upload your signed form and documents, and the DMV will mail your permit. This can be faster than standard mail processing.

If you are explore by mail and need to use an accessible space before your permit arrives, ask your doctor if they can issue a letter stating that you have applied for a permit. Some parking enforcement officers will honor a dated letter from a doctor while the official permit is in the mail, though this is not may provide. It is safer to explore in person if you need the permit right away.

Permanent versus temporary permits and renewal

A permanent permit has no expiration date and does not need to be renewed. Your doctor must indicate on the DL 629 form that your condition is permanent. Once issued, you can use it for the rest of your life unless your condition improves and you choose to return it, or unless the DMV suspends it for misuse.

A temporary permit is valid for 6 months from the date of issue. Your doctor indicates on the form that the condition is temporary — for example, recovery from surgery, a broken leg, or a condition expected to improve. When the 6 months are up, you must renew by submitting a new signed DL 629 form from your doctor. If your doctor says the condition has improved, the DMV will not renew the permit. If the condition is still present, your doctor can sign a new form and you can renew in person or by mail.

To renew a temporary permit, follow the same process as a new process: bring or mail the new signed DL 629 form, your ID, and your vehicle registration (if applicable). There is no fee. Processing takes the same amount of time as a new process.

Using a placard versus a license plate

A placard is a cardboard or plastic hang tag that you display on your rearview mirror. It is not tied to any specific vehicle. You can use it in any car you are riding in — your own, a friend's, a rental, a family member's. When you are not using it, take it down and store it. A placard is permanent or temporary depending on what your doctor signed for. Permanent placards do not expire. Temporary placards expire after 6 months.

A license plate replaces your regular plate on one specific vehicle. It is tied to that vehicle's registration. You cannot move it to another car without getting a new plate. License plates are also permanent or temporary. A permanent plate never expires. A temporary plate expires after 6 months, and you must renew it by getting a new plate issued.

Most people choose a placard because it is more flexible — you can use it in any vehicle. Choose a plate if you want a permanent, fixed solution for one vehicle you own and do not want to remember to display a placard each time. Plates are also harder to steal or forget than placards.

What happens if your condition improves or you no longer need the permit

If your condition improves and you no longer need the permit, you can return it to the DMV voluntarily. For a placard, you can straightforward stop using it and throw it away, or mail it to the DMV. For a license plate, you can visit a DMV office and request a regular plate in exchange, or mail the plate to the DMV with a note saying you no longer need the handicap plate.

If you have a temporary permit and your doctor determines that your condition has improved before the 6 months are up, tell your doctor not to sign a renewal form. When your temporary permit expires, you will not be able to renew it. You can then return the placard or plate to the DMV if you wish.

If you move out of California, you can no longer use a California handicap permit. Return it to the DMV or contact your new state's DMV to find out how to get a permit there. Most states honor permits from other states, but the rules vary.

Penalties for misusing a handicap permit

Parking in an accessible space with a handicap permit when the permit holder is not in the vehicle is a parking violation. The fine starts at $250 and can go higher depending on local ordinances. If someone else borrows your car and parks in an accessible space without you in the vehicle, you are responsible for the ticket — the permit is registered to you.

Lending your permit to someone else, or using someone else's permit, is also a violation. The permit is for the person whose name is on it. If a family member needs a permit, they must get their own from their doctor and the DMV.

If you are cited for misuse, the DMV may suspend or revoke your permit. You would have to reapply with a new doctor's form to get it back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a handicap permit if I do not have a California driver's license?

Yes. You need a state ID or passport instead of a driver's license. Bring whichever photo ID you have to the DMV office, along with your signed DL 629 form and vehicle registration (if explore for a plate). The permit is not tied to your license — it is a separate document.

How long does it take to get a permit if I explore in person?

A placard is issued the same day you explore in person at a DMV office. A license plate is ordered and mailed to you within 2 to 3 weeks. You can request a temporary paper plate to use while you wait for the permanent plate to arrive.

Can I transfer my permanent permit to someone else in my family?

No. The permit is issued to you based on your doctor's evaluation of your condition. If a family member needs a permit, they must get their own doctor's signature on a DL 629 form and explore separately. You can transfer a placard between vehicles you own, but not to another person.

What if my doctor will not sign the form because they think my condition does not may have access to?

The DMV publishes a list of may have access to conditions on the DL 629 form itself. If your condition is on that list, show your doctor the list. If your doctor still refuses, you can see another doctor — a physician, surgeon, psychiatrist, podiatrist, optometrist, or nurse practitioner — for a second opinion. The DMV does not override a doctor's judgment, so getting a doctor who understands your condition is the only path forward.

Can I use a California handicap permit in another state?

Most states honor handicap permits from other states, but the rules vary. Before traveling, check the DMV website of the state you are visiting to confirm. If you move to another state permanently, you will need to get a permit from that state's DMV using their process.