What a California disabled placard is and who can get one

A California disabled placard is a removable windshield placard or license plate that lets you park in spaces marked for people with disabilities. The placard shows a wheelchair symbol and an expiration date. You can display it on your dashboard or, if you have a permanent disability, you can get special license plates instead.

You can get a disabled placard if you have a medical condition that limits your ability to walk. This includes people who use wheelchairs, walkers, canes, or crutches; people who have severe arthritis or lung disease; people who are blind; and people who have lost a limb. A licensed physician, surgeon, optometrist, or podiatrist in California must sign off that your condition qualifies.

The placard belongs to the person with the disability, not the vehicle. You can use it in any vehicle you are riding in, as long as the placard is displayed. If you own multiple vehicles, you still get only one placard—you move it from car to car as needed.

Key Takeaways

  • A California disabled placard requires a signature from a licensed physician, surgeon, optometrist, or podiatrist confirming your medical condition limits your ability to walk.
  • You submit the completed process for Disabled Person Parking Placard or License Plate (Form DL 625) to your local DMV office in person or by mail.
  • Temporary placards last 6 months; permanent placards last 2 years and require renewal with an updated medical certification.
  • The placard is tied to you, not your vehicle, so you can use it in any car you ride in as long as you display it properly.
  • Misusing a disabled placard—parking in a disabled space without one, lending your placard to someone else, or using an expired placard—results in fines starting at $250.

What documents you need to bring to the DMV

You will need the process for Disabled Person Parking Placard or License Plate (Form DL 625), which you can read from the California DMV website or pick up at any DMV office. This form has two sections: one for you to fill out, and one for your doctor to complete and sign.

Your doctor must be a licensed physician, surgeon, optometrist, or podiatrist practicing in California. They will certify whether your disability is temporary or permanent and whether it limits your ability to walk. Bring the form to your appointment and ask your doctor to fill out and sign the medical section before you leave.

You will also need proof of identity and residency. Acceptable documents include your California driver's license, California ID card, passport, or birth certificate. If your address on your ID does not match your current address, bring a recent utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement showing your name and current address.

How to submit your process at the DMV

You can submit your completed Form DL 625 in person at any California DMV office or by mail to your local DMV. If you go in person, bring your completed form (with your doctor's signature), your proof of identity, and your proof of residency. The DMV will review your process on the spot, and if everything is correct, you will receive your placard when ready.

If you mail your process, send it to the DMV office that serves your county. Include a copy of your identity document and proof of residency along with the signed Form DL 625. Processing by mail takes longer than in-person submission—typically two to four weeks. You can find your local DMV office address and mailing address on the California DMV website.

There is no fee to get a disabled placard. If you are renewing an expired placard or replacing a lost or damaged one, there is also no charge.

Temporary versus permanent placards and renewal

Your doctor will indicate on Form DL 625 whether your condition is temporary or permanent. A temporary placard lasts 6 months from the date it is issued. A permanent placard lasts 2 years. Both show an expiration date on the front.

When your placard expires, you must renew it before you can legally use it for parking. To renew, you will need a new Form DL 625 signed by a California-licensed physician, surgeon, optometrist, or podiatrist. You can renew in person at the DMV or by mail using the same process as your original process. If your condition has improved and you no longer need the placard, you do not have to renew it.

If your placard is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can get a replacement by submitting a new Form DL 625 with your doctor's current signature. You do not need to wait for the original to expire.

Disabled license plates as an alternative to a placard

If you have a permanent disability, you can choose to get special disabled license plates instead of a placard. These plates have a wheelchair symbol and are permanently attached to your vehicle. You do not have to move them between cars, and they do not expire—you renew them when you renew your vehicle registration.

To get disabled plates, submit Form DL 625 with your doctor's signature indicating a permanent disability, along with your vehicle registration and proof of identity. You can do this in person at the DMV or by mail. There is no additional fee beyond your regular registration renewal.

Disabled plates are useful if you own one vehicle and always drive the same car. A placard is more flexible if you ride in different vehicles or if your disability may be temporary. You cannot have both a placard and disabled plates for the same vehicle at the same time.

What happens if you misuse a disabled placard

California law prohibits parking in a disabled space without displaying a valid disabled placard or plates. It also prohibits lending your placard to someone else, even a family member, or using an expired placard. Parking enforcement officers and police can issue citations for these violations.

The fine for parking in a disabled space without a valid placard starts at $250 and can go higher depending on the city or county. Lending your placard to someone else or using an expired one carries the same penalty. If you are cited multiple times, fines increase. In some cases, the vehicle can be towed.

If you no longer need your placard—because your condition has improved or you have moved out of state—return it to the DMV or destroy it. Do not leave an expired placard in your vehicle, as it can be mistaken for a valid one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a disabled placard if my doctor is not in California?

No. Your doctor must be licensed to practice in California. If you have recently moved to California or your doctor is out of state, you will need to see a California-licensed physician, surgeon, optometrist, or podiatrist to complete Form DL 625. Many primary care clinics can do this quickly.

What if my placard expires while I am waiting for a renewal?

You cannot legally park in a disabled space with an expired placard. If your renewal is delayed, submit your new Form DL 625 as soon as your doctor signs it. If you need to park in a disabled space before your new placard arrives, ask the DMV if they can issue a temporary receipt or confirmation letter showing your process is pending.

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

No. A disabled placard is issued to a specific person and cannot be transferred or loaned. Using someone else's placard, even with their permission, is illegal and results in a fine. Each person with a may have access to disability must have their own placard.

Do I need a disabled placard if I have disabled license plates?

No. Disabled license plates serve the same purpose as a placard and allow you to park in disabled spaces. You do not need both. If you have plates, you do not need a placard, and vice versa.

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

You do not have to renew your placard when it expires. straightforward stop using it. If you want to formally surrender it, you can return it to the DMV or destroy it. There is no penalty for letting a placard expire without renewing it.