Step-by-Step Guide: Getting a Disability Placard in California

The disability team at Sackett and Associates has helped people in California and nationwide with disability claims and appeals for 45 years. During that time, we’ve come to realize the many challenges that people with disabilities face daily, including some things that most people take for granted, such as parking.

Designated accessible parking spaces throughout the state require motorists using them to display a disability placard that California law enforcement can see. Here is an explanation of the process and requirements to obtain a disabled parking permit.

Who Can Obtain A Placard For Designated Accessible Parking In California?

The process to apply for a disability placard requires a certification by your doctor or other healthcare provider that you have impaired mobility due to one or more of the following:

1. Loss of one or more lower extremities.
2. Loss of both hands.
3. A diagnosis of a disease substantially impairing or interfering with mobility.
4. An inability to move without the use of an assistive device.

You can apply for a DMV handicap permit with a diagnosis of a visual impairment, such as partial sight or lower vision acuity. The guidelines also allow for permits to be issued to individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.

The guidelines do not require a person to own a motor vehicle to apply for a disability placard. An identification card allows the placard to be displayed in any vehicle as long as the bearer of the identification card is present.

Types Of Parking Permits Issued By California DMV

The California Department of Motor Vehicles issues the following parking placards or license plates to individuals who qualify for a disabled parking permit:

1. Permanent Disabled Person Parking Placard: This placard would be issued to a person with a permanent disability. It is valid for two years and automatically renews for another two years before a new application is required for a third renewal. Renewals do not require a new medical certification.
2. Temporary Disabled Person Parking Placard: Valid for as long as the estimated length of the disability period noted in the medical certification from your doctor, but these permits cannot exceed 180 days without being renewed. You can only get six renewals of a temporary placard.
3. Disabled Person License Plates: Issued only for permanent disabilities and limited to use on a vehicle registered to the disabled person.

California residents who have been issued a disabled person placard or plate may obtain a travel placard to use on vehicles they use while traveling to other states. Nonresidents traveling in California may obtain a travel placard provided they have a permanent placard or plates issued in their home state.

Travel placards for California residents driving outside the state are valid for 30 days. Nonresident placards for visitors to California are valid for 90 days.

Veterans with a service-connected disability may apply for Disabled Veteran License Plates. The medical certification must be issued by one of the following sources:

1. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
2. A county veterans service officer.
3. The California Department of Veterans Affairs, also known as CalVet.

Disabled Veteran License Plates exempt a vehicle from being charged registration and license fees.

Application Process For California Disability Placards And Plates

The process to apply for permission to use designated accessible parking requires completion of the California DMV Application for Disabled Person Placard or Plates. Once you fill out the first five sections of the form, the medical certification of Sections 6 and 6A must be filled out and signed by one of the following state-licensed medical providers:

1. Physician
2. Physician Assistant
3. Surgeon
4. Nurse Practitioner
5. Podiatrist
6. Chiropractor
7. Certified Nurse-Midwife
8. Optometrist

Submit the application after the medical certification is completed and signed. DMV does not charge for placards issued to applicants who are permanently disabled.

Mistakes People Make When Applying For Or Using Their Placards Or Licenses

It is a violation of state law to do the following:

1. Forge, alter, or counterfeit a Disabled Person placard or identification card.
2. Allow another person to use a placard issued to you unless you are in the vehicle.
3. Applying for and receiving more than one parking placard.
4. Giving false information on an application for a placard or license plates.
5. Submit an application with a forged signature on the medical certification.
6. Possess or display a counterfeit placard.

A conviction of committing any of these acts is punishable with a fine, imprisonment, or both. Misusing a parking placard could result in it being taken away from you by a police officer and cancelled by the DMV.

Consult A Disability Lawyer

Accessible parking is only one of the challenges faced by people unable to work because of a disabling medical condition. The disability professionals at Sackett and Associates provide trusted advice and representation for people in need of California disability benefits through state and federal programs. Discover how Sackett Law can assist you by contacting us today for a free consultation.