PM stands for Permanent, and it appears on Florida license plates issued to people with disabilities
The letters PM on a Florida license plate indicate that the plate holder has a permanent disability and is may have access to to use accessible parking spaces. The "P" stands for permanent and the "M" stands for mobility-impaired. When you see PM on a plate, it means the person who registered that vehicle has a documented disability that affects their ability to walk or move, and the state has issued them a permanent disabled parking permit.
Florida issues PM plates instead of the temporary disabled parking placards that hang from a rearview mirror. A PM plate is attached to the vehicle itself, either as a regular license plate with the PM designation or as a special plate that replaces one of your standard plates. The advantage of a plate over a placard is that parking enforcement can see your status from a distance, and you do not have to remember to display anything inside your vehicle.
Key Takeaways
- PM plates are issued by Florida to people with permanent disabilities that affect mobility, and they allow use of accessible parking spaces marked for disabled drivers.
- A PM plate is a physical license plate attached to your vehicle, not a hanging placard, so it is always visible to parking enforcement.
- You must have a documented disability and go through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to receive a PM plate.
- PM plates do not expire as long as your disability status remains the same, but you should renew your vehicle registration on schedule.
- Misusing a PM plate — parking in disabled spaces without a valid plate or lending your plate to someone else — is illegal and can result in fines.
How Florida issues PM plates versus temporary disabled placards
Florida offers two types of disabled parking permits: permanent plates marked PM and temporary placards. The main difference is duration and visibility. A PM plate is permanent and stays on your vehicle, while a temporary placard is usually valid for six months and hangs from your mirror. You choose which one you need based on whether your disability is expected to be long-term or short-term.
If your disability is permanent, you request a PM plate. If your condition is temporary — such as recovery from surgery or a broken leg — you request a temporary placard instead. The placard is easier to transfer between vehicles if you need to, but the PM plate is harder to forget or lose. Both give you the same parking rights in accessible spaces.
What disability documentation you need to request a PM plate
To request a PM plate from Florida, you must provide proof that you have a permanent disability. This proof comes from a licensed physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant in Florida. The healthcare provider must complete a form stating that your disability is permanent and that you have significant difficulty walking or are unable to walk without information.
You then take this completed form, along with your vehicle registration and driver's license, to your local county tax collector's office or the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The tax collector's office handles most disabled parking permit requests. You do not need to visit the DMV itself — the county office where you renew your vehicle registration is usually the right place.
How long a PM plate remains valid
A PM plate does not expire as long as your disability status does not change. You do not have to renew the plate itself the way you renew a temporary placard. However, you must still renew your vehicle registration on the normal schedule — usually every year or two depending on your county. When you renew your registration, the PM designation carries forward to your new plate.
If your disability improves or changes, or if you no longer need the accessible parking accommodation, you should notify the tax collector's office so they can remove the PM designation from your next registration. If you sell the vehicle, the PM plate does not transfer to the new owner — only the person with the documented disability can use it.
Where you can park with a PM plate
A PM plate allows you to park in any space marked for disabled drivers. In Florida, these spaces are marked with the international symbol of accessibility — a white wheelchair symbol on a blue background. Disabled parking spaces are usually located near building entrances and are wider than standard spaces to allow room for a wheelchair or mobility device.
You can also park in spaces marked "Disabled Parking" or "Handicap Parking" without paying parking meters or parking fees, even in areas where other drivers must pay. Some municipalities offer additional benefits, such as extended parking time limits, but the core right is access to the marked accessible spaces themselves.
Penalties for misusing a PM plate
Using a PM plate when you do not have a documented disability, or lending your plate to someone else who does not have the disability, is illegal in Florida. Parking enforcement officers and police can issue citations for misuse. The penalties include fines that can range from $100 to $500 or more, depending on the circumstances and whether it is a first or repeat offense.
If you lend your PM plate to a family member or friend, even with good intentions, both you and the person using the plate can be cited. The plate is tied to the person with the disability, not to the vehicle itself. If your disability status changes or you no longer need the plate, contact your tax collector's office to have it removed rather than risk a citation for misuse.
Transferring or replacing a PM plate
If you buy a new vehicle, you can transfer your PM designation to the new vehicle's license plate. You do this through your county tax collector's office when you register the new vehicle. Bring your current PM plate, the new vehicle's title and registration documents, and your driver's license. The tax collector will issue a new PM plate for the new vehicle.
If your PM plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement from the tax collector's office. There is usually a small fee for a replacement plate, similar to the fee for replacing a standard license plate. You will need to show your current registration and driver's license, and explain that the plate needs to be replaced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a PM plate if my disability is temporary?
No. PM plates are for permanent disabilities only. If your disability is temporary — such as a broken leg or post-surgery recovery — you should request a temporary disabled placard instead, which is usually valid for six months. Once your condition improves, the placard expires and you do not need to renew it.
What if I have a temporary placard and my disability becomes permanent?
You can request a PM plate by providing updated documentation from your healthcare provider stating that your disability is now permanent. Take this documentation to your county tax collector's office along with your driver's license and vehicle registration. They will issue a PM plate to replace your temporary placard.
Can someone else drive my car if it has a PM plate?
Yes, someone else can drive your vehicle, but only you — the person with the documented disability — can park in disabled spaces using that PM plate. If another driver parks in a disabled space using your PM plate without you in the vehicle, that is misuse and both of you can be cited. The plate is tied to your disability status, not to the vehicle itself.
Do I have to renew my PM plate every year?
You do not renew the PM plate itself, but you must renew your vehicle registration on the normal schedule. When you renew your registration, the PM designation carries forward to your new plate automatically, as long as your disability status has not changed.
What happens to my PM plate if I move out of Florida?
Your PM plate is only valid in Florida. If you move to another state, you will need to contact that state's motor vehicle department to request a disabled parking permit under their rules. Each state has its own process and documentation requirements for disabled parking permits.