Disability License Plates & Placards In California

If you are a driver with a disability, you can apply for a disabled parking placard or license plate from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The placard will allow you to use designated disabled parking places and has several other parking benefits. Read below for more information about disabled parking regulations and disabled parking placards, including how to apply for one. Permanent placards and plates. A disabled placard or license plate allows you to park in certain places, but some parking is still off limits. In marked disabled spaces, such as those with: - A wheelchair. In striped areas next to handicap parking spaces. At red, yellow, or white curbs. Permanent handicap parking permits are available ONLY if you have a permanent disability that is certified by a medical professional. Permanent placards, if you are a permanently disabled driver. Disabled person (DP) license plates, if you have a vehicle registered in your name.

Veterans who are 100% disabled may be eligible for Disabled Veterans License Plates and be exempt from vehicle registration fees. If you are temporarily disabled, you can apply for a handicap placard that is valid for no more than 6 months. Indicate how long the placard should be valid. Once the placard expires, you can reapply up to 6 times in a row. You will need medical certification each time. You have a permanent disability. You are traveling outside of your home state. CA resident traveling outside of the state. Up to 90 days, if you are visiting CA from another state. You'll need to have application completed by a medical professional. If you plan to apply in person, the California DMV strongly encourages you to make an appointment in advance. The application process will be the same regardless of the type of disability placard or license plate you choose to obtain. Medical certification completed ON the application by one of the following: - Physician or surgeon.

Chiropractor (ONLY for disabilities related to the use of lower extremities or hands). Optometrist (ONLY for visual conditions). NOTE: You DO NOT need medical certification if you already have a permanent placard or license plate. Mail all of your application materials to:. To apply in person for your handicap parking permit, you need to first make an appointment with your local CA DMV office. The completed Application for Disabled Person Placard or Plates (Form REG 195), including medical certification. Payment for the required fee; please see "Fees for Disability Placards" below for fee information. NOTE: You DO NOT need medical certification if you are appearing in person AND your disability includes a lost leg or both of your hands. Disabled parking placards still expire, even if they are permanent. Renewal processes differ depending on the type of placard you have. Permanent disabled parking placards expire every 2 years, specifically on June 30 in odd-numbered years. Permanent placards are automatically renewed 2 times and mailed to you. On the next renewal you will need to reapply by filling out a new Application for Disabled Person Placard or Plates (REG 195). You will not be required to have a new medical certificate. Beginning in 2023 applicants for the permanent disabled parking placards will be required to return a renewal notice by mail every 6 years and will not require a medical certification. Submitting it by mail to the address on the form, or in person at your local CA DMV office. You must reapply for a disabled parking placard if your temporary placard expires and you still need it.

The date noted by the certifying medical professional on the application. What are DP license plates? California disabled parking license plates (“DP plates”) work the same as a permanent disability placard. The California DMV also issues disabled veteran license plates (“DV plates”). Became disabled while on active service with the U.S. Who can use handicapped parking privileges? Note that handicapped parking plates and tags may not be used by anyone else for any reason - not even by someone else who is also disabled. When is someone considered disabled? Where can handicapped people legally park in California? In parking spaces with the International Symbol of Access (wheelchair symbol). Next to a blue curb authorized for persons with disabilities parking. Next to a green curb (limited time parking) with no time limitation. In an on-street metered parking space at no charge. In an area that otherwise requires a resident or merchant permit. Full-service gas stations must also refuel the vehicle at self-service rates unless there is only one employee on duty.

Next to red curbs (no stopping, standing, or parking). Next to white curbs (for passenger loading/unloading or dropping mail in an adjacent mailbox). Disability placards and plates can be obtained by filing a California DMV Form REG 195 Application for Disabled Person or Plates. In the case of a disabled veteran, the Department of Veterans Affairs. Who can certify a disability? A licensed physician, surgeon, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or a certified nurse-midwife with knowledge of the disease and/or disability. A veteran with certification from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs stating that the applicant is a disabled veteran. Can I use an out-of-state disability placard or license plates in California? A disabled person who does not have either can also obtain a temporary travel placard at no cost from the California DMV. The person has disabled plates but is not bringing his or her car to California. A temporary travel placard can be issued for a maximum of 90 days. Misuse of a disabled placard is often charged along with —or instead of—one or more related California offenses.