How to get a handicap license plate
You get a handicap license plate through your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency. The process starts with a medical certification form signed by a licensed doctor, physician's assistant, or nurse practitioner who confirms you have a permanent or temporary disability that limits mobility. You then submit that form along with your vehicle registration and a completed process to your state DMV — most states let you do this in person, by mail, or online. The plate arrives in the mail within two to four weeks in most states, though timing varies.
The disability does not have to be visible. You may have access to if you cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest, cannot walk without a cane or walker, have severe arthritis or lung disease, are blind or have significant vision loss, use a wheelchair, or have a similar condition that affects your ability to move around a parking lot. Each state sets its own medical criteria, so what qualifies in one state may not in another.
Key Takeaways
- You need a medical certification form completed by a doctor, physician's assistant, or nurse practitioner stating you have a mobility-limiting disability.
- Submit the form, your vehicle registration, and an process to your state DMV in person, by mail, or online depending on your state's process.
- Handicap plates are usually permanent if your condition is permanent, or temporary if your doctor expects it to improve within a set timeframe.
- Some states issue a placard (hanging permit) instead of or in addition to a plate, which you can move between vehicles.
- Misusing a handicap plate — parking in a reserved space without a valid plate or placard — carries fines starting at $100 to $500 depending on your state.
What your doctor needs to certify
Your doctor does not need to write a letter. Instead, you use your state's official medical certification form, which your DMV website will have as a downloadable PDF. The form asks the doctor to check boxes confirming that you have one or more conditions that limit your ability to walk or move — such as a mobility device requirement, severe arthritis, heart or lung disease, or neurological conditions. The doctor signs and dates it, and that signature is what the DMV needs.
The form does not ask for a diagnosis or detailed medical history. It asks only whether your condition is permanent or temporary. If temporary, the doctor writes the expected end date. Most states renew temporary plates every one to two years; permanent plates renew every four to eight years depending on your state's vehicle registration cycle.
You can get the form from your DMV website, pick one up at a DMV office, or sometimes your doctor's office will have it on file. Bring it to your appointment, have your doctor complete it, and keep the signed original — you will need it for your DMV submission.
How to submit your process
Visit your state DMV's website and look for "handicap plate," "disabled parking," or "accessible parking" in the search. The website will show you three options: explore online, explore by mail, or explore in person at a DMV office.
Online applications are fastest in states that offer them. You upload a photo of your signed medical form, your vehicle registration, and a photo ID. You pay the fee (usually $0 to $20) by credit card, and the plate ships within one to two weeks. Not all states offer online applications yet.
Mail applications require you to print the process form from your DMV website, sign it, and mail it with photocopies of your medical form, vehicle registration, and ID to the address listed on the form. Include a check or money order for the fee. Processing takes two to four weeks after the DMV receives your packet.
In-person applications at a DMV office are the slowest option for getting the plate, but they let you ask questions and confirm everything is correct before you submit. Bring your signed medical form, vehicle registration, ID, and payment. The DMV will give you a receipt and tell you when to expect the plate in the mail.
Permanent versus temporary plates
A permanent plate is issued when your doctor certifies that your condition is permanent and unlikely to improve. You keep the same plate as long as you own the vehicle. When you renew your vehicle registration, you renew the plate at the same time — the DMV will send you a renewal notice. Permanent plates last as long as your vehicle registration, typically four to eight years depending on your state.
A temporary plate or placard is issued when your doctor expects your condition to improve within a set timeframe — for example, after surgery or during recovery from an injury. Your doctor writes the expected end date on the medical form. The DMV issues the plate or placard for that period only. When it expires, you can reapply if your condition has not improved, but you will need a new medical certification from your doctor.
Some states issue a hanging placard instead of a plate. A placard is a permit you hang from your rearview mirror. The advantage is that you can move it between vehicles — if you borrow someone else's car or ride in a friend's vehicle, you can take the placard with you. The disadvantage is that it can fall off or be forgotten. Many states issue both a plate and a placard so you have options.
Fees and renewal timing
Most states charge little or nothing for a handicap plate. Some charge $5 to $20 as a one-time fee; a few charge nothing at all. Check your state DMV website for the exact fee, as it varies by state and sometimes by county.
Renewal happens automatically when you renew your vehicle registration. The DMV will send you a renewal notice in the mail a few weeks before your registration expires. You pay the vehicle registration fee (which is separate from the plate fee) and the plate renews with it. You do not need a new medical form unless your state requires recertification — some states ask you to resubmit a medical form every four to eight years, while others do not.
If your plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, contact your DMV to request a replacement. Most states charge a small replacement fee, usually $5 to $15.
Using your plate correctly
A handicap plate lets you park in reserved accessible spaces marked with the wheelchair symbol. You can also park in spaces marked "handicap" or "disabled" without a time limit, even if other spaces have time restrictions. Some states also let you park in certain metered spaces for free or with reduced time.
The plate must be visible on your vehicle — usually on the rear bumper, though some states allow front placement. If you have a placard, hang it from your rearview mirror so it is clearly visible from outside the vehicle. Remove the placard when you are not using it, or cover it, so it is not visible when the vehicle is parked without a disabled person inside.
Misusing a handicap plate — parking in a reserved space without displaying a valid plate or placard, or lending your plate to someone else — is illegal. Fines range from $100 to $500 depending on your state, and repeat violations can result in higher penalties or loss of the plate.
What happens if your condition changes
If your temporary condition improves before the expiration date, you can return the plate or placard to your DMV and request a refund of any unused portion of the fee (though most states do not refund). If your permanent condition worsens or you no longer need the plate, you can keep it — there is no penalty for not using it.
If your condition changes and you need to switch from temporary to permanent status (or vice versa), you will need a new medical certification from your doctor and a new process to your DMV. Some states let you submit this online; others require you to visit an office or mail it in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use someone else's handicap plate if I am driving their car?
No. A handicap plate is tied to a specific vehicle and a specific person. If you are a passenger in someone else's vehicle, you cannot use their plate to park in a reserved space. If you are the driver and you have your own plate, you can use it on any vehicle you are driving — but the plate must be on that vehicle, not on your own car parked elsewhere.
What if I move to a different state?
Your handicap plate is valid only in the state that issued it. If you move, you will need to get a new plate from your new state's DMV. The process is the same: medical form, process, and fee. Your old plate becomes invalid once you register your vehicle in the new state.
Do I need a handicap plate if I have a placard?
No. A placard alone is enough to park in reserved spaces. Many states issue both so you have the option to use whichever is more convenient — the placard if you move between vehicles, or the plate if you have one primary vehicle. You do not need both.
How long does it take to get a handicap plate after I submit my process?
Online applications usually result in a plate arriving within one to two weeks. Mail and in-person applications typically take two to four weeks from the time the DMV receives your complete process. Check your state DMV website for their specific processing time, as it varies.
Can I get a handicap plate if my disability is not visible?
Yes. Invisible disabilities like heart disease, severe arthritis, chronic pain, and neurological conditions all may have access to if they limit your ability to walk or move. Your doctor certifies the condition on the medical form; the DMV does not require proof that the disability is visible.