How to Get a California DMV Disabled Parking Placard

What a California disabled parking placard is and who can get one

A California disabled parking placard is a permit you hang from your rearview mirror that lets you park in spaces marked for people with disabilities. The placard is issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and is valid only in California. You can get one if you have a medical condition that limits your ability to walk — this includes permanent disabilities, temporary disabilities lasting at least two months, and disabilities that come and go.

The placard itself is free. You do not pay the DMV to issue it. However, you will need to pay for the medical certification form that your doctor completes, since that is a service your healthcare provider charges for separately.

The placard is not the same as a license plate. Some people with disabilities have both — the placard is portable (you can use it in any vehicle), while a disabled license plate stays with one specific vehicle. You can have one or the other, or both.

Key Takeaways

• A California disabled parking placard requires a completed medical certification form signed by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.
• You submit the form directly to the DMV by mail, in person, or through the DMV website — not through your doctor's office.
• The placard is valid for two years from the date the DMV receives your form, and you can renew it by submitting a new medical certification.
• Temporary placards last six months and are issued on the spot at a DMV office if your doctor's form shows a temporary condition.
• You can use the placard in any vehicle you are riding in, but only one placard per vehicle can be displayed at a time.

How to get the medical certification form

The form you need is called the process for Disabled Person Parking Placard or License Plate (Form DL 625). You can get a blank copy from the DMV website, from any DMV office, or by calling the DMV at 1-800-777-0133. You do not need to request it from your doctor — you obtain it yourself and then take it to your doctor to complete.

Your doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant must fill out the medical section of the form. They will certify which type of disability you have: permanent (lasting the rest of your life), temporary (lasting at least two months but not permanent), or progressive (a condition that will worsen over time). The form asks for specific information about your condition and how it affects your ability to walk, but your doctor does not need to write a separate letter — the form itself is the certification.

Your healthcare provider will charge you a fee for completing this form. The amount varies by provider and is not set by the DMV. Ask about the cost when you schedule the appointment or call ahead.

Submitting your form to the DMV

Once your doctor has signed the form, you submit it directly to the DMV. You have three options: mail it, bring it in person to a DMV office, or upload it through the DMV website if you have an online account. If you mail it, send it to the address listed on the form itself — different regional offices may have different mailing addresses.

Processing time varies. If you submit in person at a DMV office, a temporary placard may be issued on the spot if your condition is temporary. For permanent or progressive conditions submitted by mail or online, the DMV typically processes the form within two to four weeks, though this can vary depending on volume.

You do not need to renew your vehicle registration or bring any other documents with you. The form is the only thing the DMV needs from you. If you are explore for a disabled license plate instead of a placard, the process is the same — you submit the same medical form, but you will receive a special license plate rather than a hanging placard.

How long the placard lasts and when to renew

A permanent disabled parking placard is valid for two years from the date the DMV receives your medical certification form. A temporary placard lasts six months. A progressive condition placard also lasts two years. When your placard is about to expire, you will need to submit a new medical certification form signed by your doctor.

The DMV does not send you a reminder when your placard is expiring. You are responsible for tracking the expiration date, which is printed on the placard itself. If your placard expires, you cannot legally use it to park in disabled spaces, even if you still have the same medical condition.

To renew, follow the same process: get a new Form DL 625, have your doctor complete and sign it, and submit it to the DMV. If your condition has changed — for example, if a temporary condition is now permanent, or if your condition has improved — tell your doctor so they can update the form accordingly.

Using your placard in different vehicles

One of the main advantages of a placard over a disabled license plate is that you can use it in any vehicle. If you are a passenger in someone else's car, you can hang the placard from their rearview mirror. If you own multiple vehicles, you can move the placard between them. Only one placard can be displayed per vehicle at a time.

The placard must be hung from the rearview mirror so it is clearly visible from outside the vehicle. If it is hidden or obscured, parking enforcement may cite you even though you have a valid placard. When you are not using the vehicle, remove the placard and keep it with you — do not leave it hanging in an unoccupied car.

If your placard is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement. Contact your local DMV office or call 1-800-777-0133 to report it and request a new one. There is no fee for a replacement placard.

Disabled parking spaces and where you can park

With a valid placard, you can park in any space marked for people with disabilities, including spaces at parking meters (where you do not have to pay), spaces in parking lots, and spaces on the street. You can also park in a loading zone for up to five minutes if you are dropping off or picking up a person with a disability, though you must remain with the vehicle.

The placard does not give you permission to park illegally in other ways. For example, you cannot park in a red zone, a white zone, or a fire lane just because you have a disabled placard. You can only use it in spaces that are specifically marked for disabled parking.

If you park in a disabled space without a valid placard, or if your placard has expired, you can be cited. Penalties vary by city and county but typically range from $100 to $500 or more. Parking enforcement checks the expiration date on the placard, so an expired one will result in a citation.

What happens if your medical condition changes

If your temporary condition improves before your placard expires, you should stop using it. The placard is only valid for people who currently have a may have access to disability. If your condition has resolved, you no longer meet the requirements.

If your condition worsens or changes in a way that affects your ability to walk differently, contact your doctor. They can complete a new medical certification form reflecting the change, and you can submit it to the DMV to update your placard status. For example, if you had a temporary condition that has become permanent, your doctor can certify that on a new form.

If you move out of California, your California placard is no longer valid. Each state has its own disabled parking program. You would need to contact the DMV or equivalent agency in your new state to learn about their process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else use my disabled parking placard?

The placard is issued to you personally based on your medical condition. Technically, only you should be using it. However, if you are a passenger in a vehicle, the driver can display your placard while transporting you. If someone else uses your placard when you are not in the vehicle, that is misuse and can result in a citation for both the driver and potentially for you as the placard holder.

Do I need a disabled license plate or a placard, or can I have both?

You can have both if you want. Some people prefer a license plate because it is permanent and does not need to be hung each time. Others prefer a placard because it is portable between vehicles. You submit the same medical form to the DMV and indicate which one you want, or you can request both.

What if my doctor will not sign the form?

Your doctor must believe your condition genuinely limits your ability to walk in order to sign the form. If your doctor refuses, they do not think your condition meets the criteria. You can seek a second opinion from another healthcare provider, but you cannot force a doctor to certify a condition they do not believe qualifies.

How much does a disabled parking placard cost?

The placard itself is free from the DMV. You only pay your doctor's fee for completing the medical certification form, which varies by provider. Replacement placards are also free if yours is lost or damaged.

Can I use my California placard in other states?

California placards are only valid in California. If you travel to another state, you would need to check that state's disabled parking rules. Some states honor out-of-state placards, but many do not. Contact the DMV in the state you are visiting to find out.