How to Get a Handicap Parking Placard for Your Car
Meta description: Learn how to get a handicap parking placard for your car in the United States, including eligibility, application forms, medical certification, fees, renewals, and display rules.
In the United States, a “handicap sign” for a car is usually called a disabled parking placard or accessible parking permit. It allows a person with a qualifying disability to use designated accessible parking spaces when traveling in any vehicle—not just one they own. Each state or territory manages its own program, so eligibility rules, forms, fees, and renewal schedules vary. The basic process is consistent: check the local requirements, get any required medical certification, submit an application to the right agency, and display the permit as directed.
What a Handicap Parking Placard Does
A disabled parking placard is a permit, generally issued to a person rather than to a specific vehicle. The permit holder may display it when riding as a driver or passenger in a vehicle, provided they are present and the trip requires accessible parking. Some states issue a license plate instead of, or in addition to, a placard. Plates are generally tied to a registered vehicle, while placards can be moved between vehicles.
A valid permit can allow parking in marked accessible spaces, subject to state and local rules. It does not automatically authorize parking in loading zones, fire lanes, spaces marked “No Parking,” or areas reserved for particular vehicles. It also does not necessarily waive parking fees, meter limits, or time restrictions. Those details differ by location, so the posted signs and local rules still matter.
Who May Qualify
Eligibility is based on the effect of a person’s medical condition on mobility, not simply on having a diagnosis or receiving disability benefits. State definitions differ, but qualifying conditions commonly include a substantial limitation in walking, the need to use a wheelchair or another mobility aid, or a serious heart or lung condition. Some programs also recognize vision-related disabilities or other specified conditions.
Examples of functional limitations that may support an application include being unable to walk a specified distance without stopping, needing assistance or an assistive device to walk, or having a condition that significantly affects walking. The exact standard and any required measurements or medical findings are set by the state. A condition that qualifies in one state may not meet another state’s criteria.
People with temporary limitations can often apply for a temporary placard. These permits may be appropriate after surgery, an injury, or another short-term condition that substantially restricts walking. Permanent or long-term permits are generally intended for qualifying conditions expected to continue for a longer period. A health care professional or state agency may determine which type fits the circumstances.
How to Get a Handicap Parking Placard
- Find the issuing agency. Visit the official website for the state where the applicant lives. Depending on the state, applications may be handled by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), a motor vehicle division, a county tax collector, or another state or local office. Search for the state’s official accessible parking placard application rather than relying on a third-party form.
- Check eligibility and permit types. Review the state’s definition of a qualifying disability and compare temporary, permanent, and license-plate options. Check whether the application requires a specific medical professional to certify the condition.
- Complete the applicant section. Provide the requested identifying details, contact information, and permit type. Use the applicant’s information even if a family member or caregiver is helping with the paperwork.
- Get medical certification if required. Ask an authorized health care professional to complete the medical portion. The professional may need to describe a qualifying limitation, certify its expected duration, and provide a license or practice number. Some states waive recertification for certain permanent conditions, while others require it.
- Submit the application as directed. Depending on the state, applications may be accepted online, by mail, or in person. Some permit types or plate applications may require a visit to an office. Follow the instructions for signatures, supporting documents, and payment.
- Wait for the permit and check its details. Processing times vary. When the placard arrives, check the expiration date and any instructions about display, renewal, or replacement. Do not use a photocopy or an application receipt as a substitute unless the issuing agency explicitly authorizes it.
Application Forms and Medical Certification
Most states provide an official application form that includes an applicant section and, when applicable, a medical certification section. The form may be available online as a PDF or through the state’s licensing office. Applicants should use the current version: older forms may omit required information or use outdated submission instructions.
The authorized professional varies by state. It may include a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, chiropractor, optometrist, or another licensed provider, depending on the state and the condition. The state form identifies which professionals can certify an application. A provider’s general note or a copy of a diagnosis may not replace the required certification.
Before submitting, check that the form is legible and complete, the applicant and professional have signed where required, and the professional’s details are included. Missing signatures, expired forms, or an incorrect permit category can delay processing. If the applicant cannot complete or sign the form independently, the state may provide instructions for an authorized representative.
Fees, Processing Times, and Permit Types
Fees depend on the state and permit type. Many states issue permanent placards at no charge, while others charge an application or replacement fee. Temporary permits may have a fee, and accessible license plates can involve regular vehicle registration costs. The official state form or agency website is the best source for current charges.
| Permit type | Typical use | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary placard | A qualifying mobility limitation expected to last for a limited period | Expiration date, maximum duration, and whether renewal requires a new certification |
| Permanent or long-term placard | A qualifying condition expected to continue over an extended period | Renewal schedule and whether recertification is required |
| Accessible license plate | A vehicle registered to an eligible person, where offered | Vehicle registration, plate fees, and whether the plate replaces a placard |
Some states also issue permits to organizations that transport people with disabilities. Those applications typically have different requirements from an individual application. Applicants should use the form for the correct permit category rather than assuming that an individual placard can be issued to a business or care facility.
How to Display and Use the Placard
When the vehicle is parked in an accessible space, the placard is generally hung from the rearview mirror with the identifying information facing outward, or placed on the dashboard if the state directs. It should be removed while driving if it blocks the driver’s view. Some placards have a visible expiration date; the permit should be positioned so enforcement officers can read it.
The eligible person must be in the vehicle when the permit is used. A relative or caregiver may drive the person and use the placard for a trip involving that person, but may not use it for personal errands when the permit holder is not present. The permit does not belong to the vehicle or to whoever happens to be driving.
Accessible spaces are intended for vehicles transporting eligible people. A placard does not guarantee a particular space, reserve parking, or grant access to every space marked with a wheelchair symbol. Van-accessible spaces include additional room for a lift or ramp and should be left available for vehicles that need that space when possible.
Renewing, Replacing, or Reporting a Lost Placard
Expiration dates and renewal procedures vary. Some permanent permits must be renewed on a schedule even when medical recertification is not required. Temporary permits generally expire after the period authorized by the state; a continuing condition may require a new application or certification. Applicants should not assume a permit remains valid indefinitely because the disability is permanent.
If a placard is lost, stolen, damaged, or no longer readable, contact the issuing agency for replacement instructions. A replacement may require a signed statement, a new application, or a fee. Report a stolen permit when the agency or local law enforcement recommends it. Do not alter the permit, copy it, or use an expired permit.
Using an Out-of-State Placard
U.S. states generally recognize valid accessible parking permits issued by other states, but local parking privileges and restrictions can differ. A visitor should follow the destination’s posted signs and rules, including rules about meters, time limits, and spaces reserved for specific permit holders. The federal government does not issue ordinary state disabled parking placards for personal vehicles.
Before a long trip, check official parking information for the destination city or state. This is especially useful when visiting airports, hospitals, downtown areas, or private parking facilities, where payment policies and access procedures may differ. For travel outside the United States, recognition of a U.S. placard is not automatic; travelers should check the destination’s rules in advance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the wrong application: Confirm that the form is for the correct state and permit type.
- Leaving the medical section incomplete: Check certification requirements and signatures before submitting.
- Assuming a diagnosis automatically qualifies: Eligibility is based on state criteria, often including functional mobility limitations.
- Using the placard when the holder is absent: The permit is for the eligible person’s transportation, not general household use.
- Ignoring expiration dates or local signs: A valid placard does not override every parking restriction or guarantee free parking.
- Paying an unofficial service unnecessarily: Start with the state agency’s official website. A third-party company may charge for help that the agency provides directly.
Where to Find Official Information
For accurate forms and current rules, start with the official motor vehicle or licensing agency in the applicant’s state. The U.S. Department of Transportation provides general information about accessible transportation, but state and local agencies administer most personal parking placards. Official state websites explain eligibility, authorized certifiers, fees, submission methods, renewals, and enforcement rules.
If the application is denied, the notice may explain the reason and whether the applicant can appeal, provide additional information, or reapply. The issuing agency can clarify procedural questions, while the certifying health care professional can address medical information. Because rules change and vary by jurisdiction, the state agency’s current instructions should take precedence over general guidance.