What a disabled parking placard is and who can get one

A California disabled parking placard is a permit that lets you park in designated accessible spaces if you have a medical condition that limits your mobility. The placard hangs from your rearview mirror and must be visible from outside the vehicle. You can park in blue-striped accessible spaces at no charge and for unlimited time, even if a meter is running or posted time limits say otherwise.

You can get a placard if you have a permanent or temporary disability that meets California's definition. This includes conditions that make walking difficult or painful, limit the use of your legs or arms, affect your vision or hearing in ways that impact mobility, or require you to use mobility aids like a cane, walker, or wheelchair. A licensed physician, surgeon, chiropractor, optometrist, or podiatrist must sign off on your process.

California issues two types of placards: permanent ones that last four years, and temporary ones that last up to six months. You can also get a license plate instead of a placard if you prefer — it serves the same purpose and doesn't hang in your window.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have a medical provider sign the process form (DL 625) stating that your disability limits your mobility.
  • You can submit your process by mail to your local DMV office or in person, and processing typically takes two to four weeks.
  • Permanent placards are valid for four years; temporary placards last up to six months and cannot be renewed — you must reapply.
  • You can request a replacement placard if yours is lost, stolen, or damaged, and the DMV charges a fee for replacements.
  • Misusing a disabled placard — parking in accessible spaces without one, lending it to someone else, or using an expired placard — carries fines and possible vehicle impoundment.

how the process works for a placard or license plate

Start by getting form DL 625 (process for Disabled Person Parking Placard or License Plate) from the DMV website or any DMV office. You fill out your personal information and medical history, then take it to a licensed medical provider. The provider examines you, confirms your disability limits your mobility, and signs the form. This is the only part that requires a doctor's visit — you cannot submit the process without a provider's signature.

Once signed, you can submit the form by mail to your local DMV office or bring it in person. Include a copy of your driver's license or state ID. If you are explore for a license plate instead of a placard, include the vehicle registration document (pink slip) for the car you want the plate on. Mail applications go to the address listed on the form for your county. Processing takes two to four weeks by mail; in-person submissions may be faster depending on your local office's workload.

The DMV charges a one-time fee for a permanent placard or license plate. Temporary placards cost less. Check the current fee on the DMV website or call your local office, as fees change periodically. If you need a replacement because your placard was lost, stolen, or damaged, you pay a replacement fee and the DMV processes it the same way.

Permanent versus temporary placards

A permanent placard is issued when your medical condition is expected to last indefinitely or for the rest of your life. It remains valid for four years from the date of issue, then expires. You can renew it by submitting a new signed DL 625 form before it expires — you do not need another doctor's visit if the form is renewed within 60 days of expiration, but the provider must still sign it.

A temporary placard is issued when your disability is expected to improve or last only a limited time. The DMV sets an expiration date based on what your medical provider writes on the form — it can be valid for up to six months. Temporary placards cannot be renewed. Once they expire, you must reapply with a new signed form and another medical evaluation if your condition has not changed or if you still need one.

If your condition changes — either improving so you no longer need the placard, or worsening so you need a permanent one instead of temporary — contact the DMV. You can surrender a placard you no longer need, or request a new one if your status changes.

What happens after you receive your placard

Once the DMV approves your process, they mail your placard to the address you provided. Hang it from your rearview mirror so the placard is clearly visible from outside the vehicle. The placard must be displayed whenever you park in an accessible space. If you received a license plate instead, the DMV will mail it to you and you install it on your vehicle like any other plate.

You can use your placard in any vehicle you drive, not just one specific car — this is different from a license plate, which is tied to one vehicle. If someone else drives you, they can use your placard while you are in the car. However, the placard is only valid when a person with a disability is in the vehicle. Parking in an accessible space with an expired, borrowed, or invalid placard is illegal.

Keep your placard in good condition. If it becomes damaged, faded, or unreadable, request a replacement from the DMV. If it is lost or stolen, report it to the DMV and request a replacement. The DMV will issue a new one with a different number to prevent misuse of the old one.

Penalties for misusing a disabled placard

California law treats disabled parking spaces as reserved for people with disabilities. Parking in one without a valid placard or license plate is illegal. If you park in an accessible space with an expired placard, a borrowed placard, or no placard at all, you can be cited and fined. The fine amount varies by city and county but typically ranges from $250 to $500 or more for a first offense.

Lending your placard to someone else — even a family member — is illegal, even if that person also has a disability. Each person with a disability must have their own placard. Using someone else's placard or allowing someone to use yours can result in a citation for both the driver and the placard holder.

Repeated violations or egregious misuse can lead to vehicle impoundment, higher fines, or criminal charges. If you no longer need your placard, surrender it to the DMV rather than leaving it in your vehicle or giving it to someone else.

Renewing or replacing your placard

Permanent placards expire four years after issue. To renew, submit a new signed DL 625 form to the DMV before the expiration date. If you renew within 60 days of expiration, your medical provider can sign the form without conducting a new examination — they are confirming that your condition has not changed. If you renew after the 60-day window, the provider should conduct a new evaluation.

If your placard is lost, stolen, or damaged, contact the DMV and request a replacement. You will need to provide your driver's license or state ID and pay the replacement fee. The DMV will issue a new placard with a different number. Report a stolen placard to local police as well, since it could be misused by someone else.

If you move to a different county or state, check whether your placard remains valid. California placards are recognized throughout the state and in most other states, but some states have their own reciprocity rules. If you move out of California, contact your new state's DMV to learn whether you need a new placard or can continue using your California one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a disabled parking placard if I have a temporary injury like a broken leg?

Yes. Your medical provider can sign the DL 625 form for a temporary disability expected to last a few weeks or months. The DMV will issue a temporary placard valid for the duration your provider specifies, up to six months. Once it expires, you cannot renew it — you must reapply if you still need one.

Do I need a separate placard for each vehicle I own?

No. One placard works in any vehicle you drive. However, if you want a disabled license plate instead, it is tied to one specific vehicle. If you own multiple cars and want all of them to have disabled plates, you must request a plate for each vehicle separately.

What if my doctor says I have a disability but the DMV denies my process?

The DMV reviews the medical information on your form to confirm it meets California's definition of a disability that limits mobility. If denied, the DMV will send you a letter explaining why. You can reapply with additional medical documentation or a statement from your provider clarifying how your condition affects your ability to walk or move. Contact your local DMV office to discuss what additional information they need.

Can someone else use my placard if they are driving me?

Yes, but only while you are in the vehicle. The placard is valid only when a person with a disability is present. If someone borrows your placard to park without you in the car, that is illegal and both you and the driver can be cited.

How long does it take to get a placard after I submit my process?

By mail, processing typically takes two to four weeks. In-person submissions at a DMV office may be faster, but it depends on how busy your local office is. The DMV will mail your placard to the address you provided once approved. Call your local DMV office if your process has been pending longer than four weeks.