*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on December 1, 2025. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on December 1, 2025. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
If you live with health issues or a disability, it might be difficult to navigate a parking lot. A disabled parking placard or license plate can help you access priority parking spaces.
In most cases, state governments issue appropriate parking permits through the department of motor vehicles (DMV).
Here’s what you should know about how to apply for handicap permits in your state and whether you can do so online.
Applications for handicap placards vary by state. But you generally need to follow these steps:
Visit a DMV office or your state’s DMV website to learn the eligibility requirements.
Obtain or download a disabled parking placard application.
Fill in the information requested.
You usually need a physician to sign off on the request.
Mail or email the completed application, with the medical form or letter from a licensed physician, to the appropriate address.
Pay attention to potential fees. Some states charge a fee for a temporary disabled parking placard, but some don’t. If your state charges a fee for vehicle registration, you still need to pay that. A personalized disability plate might come with an additional cost.
Rates start at $40/mo. for liability-only coverage
The following table illustrates the basic requirements a physically disabled person needs to meet in each state. You can also see how to apply for a disabled person parking permit based on state requirements.
Check for fees for temporary and permanent permits. You can also see whether you can apply online, in person, or by mail.
State  | How to Apply | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Submit in person to local licensing office | None for placards or decals |
| Alaska | Submit by email to the DMV | None |
| Arizona | Submit by mail for license plates, by fax, or email for placards | $1.96 postage fee |
| Arkansas | In person at local Arkansas Revenue Office | None for placards; regular fee ($17–$30) applies to license plates |
| California | Online | None for permanently disabled placards; $6 for temporary placards |
| Colorado | New placards — go to county motor vehicle office. Renewals can be managed online | None for placards; standard registration and taxes apply for disability license plates |
| Connecticut | Online or in person at a DMV office | $5 for temporary placards; no fee for renewable placards |
| Delaware | By mail | None |
| Florida | In person at a Florida motor vehicle service center | $15 for temporary placards; none for permanent placard |
| Georgia | In person at the disabled person’s local county tag office | None for placards; $20 annual fee for license plate |
| Hawaii | In person at a designated county office | $12 for placards; $5.50–$6.25 for plates, depending on location |
| Idaho | N/A | No charge for placards; $25 fee for plates |
| Illinois | N/A | None for placards; $29 transfer fee plus $151 registration renewal fee for license plates |
| Indiana | Mail or submit in person to Bureau of Motor Vehicles | Permanent placards are free; temporary placards are $5; license plates are $9.50 |
| Iowa | Online, in person, or by mail | None |
| Kansas | In person at local county treasurer’s motor vehicle office | 50-cent reflective plate fee for license plates |
| Kentucky | In person at local county clerk’s office or by mail | None |
| Louisiana | In person at DMV field office | None |
| Maine | In person at any Bureau of Motor Vehicles office, by mail, or fax | None |
| Maryland | In person, online, by fax, or by mail | No fee for placards; $20 for license plates |
| Massachusetts | By mail | None for placards; $60 for 2-year license plates; $20 for annual motorcycle plates |
| Michigan | For placards: online, in person, or by mail. For plates: online, in person, by mail, or at a self-service station | None |
| Minnesota | In person or by mail | Placards are $5; license plate fees vary depending on personalization |
| Mississippi | In person at local county tax collector’s office | None |
| Missouri | In person at a Missouri license office or by mail | None for permanent disability placard; $2 for temporary disabled placard; $15 for license plate |
| Montana | By mail | None for a placard; license plate fees apply |
| Nebraska | Online or by mail | None for placards; standard license plate fees apply |
| Nevada | Mail or fax for placards; in person for license plates | None |
| New Hampshire | In person at any DMV registration office or by mail | None for placards; $8 for license plates (first time only) |
| New Jersey | By mail or in person at a motor vehicle agency | None |
| New Mexico | In person at any MVD field office for placards; by mail for license plates | No fee for parking placards; standard license plate fees may apply |
| New York | In person at local issuing agency for placards, and any motor vehicles office for license plates | No fee for placards; $25 for license plates |
| North Carolina | In person at any DMV license plate agency (for same-day service) or by mail | Placards are $5; plates are $36 |
| North Dakota | Apply for placards in person at motor vehicle licensing divisions | No fee for placards; $5 for license plates |
| Ohio | In person at any local deputy registrar office or by mail | Placards are $5 for temporary and standard placards and $15 for permanent placards; standard license plate fees apply |
| Oklahoma | Online, in person, or by mail | No charge for placards; standard license plate fees apply |
| Oregon | In person at a DMV office, by fax, or by mail | None for placards; license plates only available to disabled veterans |
| Pennsylvania | By mail for placards and license plates | No fee for placards; $13 for license plates |
| Rhode Island | Online or in person at DMV’s main headquarters | Placards are free; license plates are also free but only available to disabled veterans |
| South Carolina | In person at a DMV branch, by mail, or online (for renewals) | Fee is $1 for placards; $36 for license plates |
| South Dakota | In person at local county treasurer’s office | None for placards; standard fee of $10 plus $7.50 mailing fee for license plates |
| Tennessee | In person at local county clerk’s office | For permanent disability placards or license plate, fee is $26.50; temporary disability placards are $10 |
| Texas | In person at local county tax assessor/collector’s office | No fee for permanent disability placard; $5 for temporary disability and standard license plate fees |
| Utah | In person at local motor vehicle office or by mail | Paper placards are free; durable material placards cost $2.50; for license plates, the fee is $20.50 |
| Vermont | In person at DMV office | No fee for placards; standard fees for license plates |
| Virginia | By mail or in person at any DMV customer service center or DMV Select office | None |
| Washington | In person at a vehicle licensing office or by mail | No fee for placards; standard fees apply for license plates |
| West Virginia | By mail or at any DMV regional office | No fee for placards; standard registration fees apply for license plates |
| Wisconsin | By mail or in person at a local DMV customer service center | No fee for mail application; in-person applications may incur a counter service fee |
| Wyoming | In person at local driver exam office or by mail | None for placards; standard registration fees apply to license plates |
Rules vary by state, but you generally need to have some physical limitation that makes navigating parking areas on foot difficult. A medical condition, like a cardiac condition, lung disease, or neurological disorder, meets the criteria in some states. Blindness or other eye conditions can also qualify you for a disability placard.
In many states, disabled veterans qualify and may get extra perks like easier renewals and waived fees. Disabled veteran license plates are also usually available. Typically, a healthcare provider must attest to your condition.
Common conditions that might qualify someone for a disability license plate or placard include:[?]
Difficulty walking
Arthritis
Need for portable oxygen
Heart disease
Lung disease
Loss of limbs
Cancer
Vision impairment or blindness
Need for assistive devices
Neurological disorders
Check with your state to see if you or your passenger qualifies for a card, plate, or placard.
Disabled person plates and disabled person placards represent the most common types of permits. In some cases, you also receive an identification card.
Whether you get a disabled person placard or a disabled person plate depends on the nature of your disability and how often you ride in others’ vehicles.[?] [?]
A placard can be hung from the rearview mirror or placed on the front dashboard. Applicants might like the ability to use the placard in various vehicles, especially if they have different guardians or carers drive them.
Many states offer temporary placards for short-term disabilities, such as surgery. A permanent disabled placard is for people with conditions that aren’t likely to abate.
Vehicle owners with a permanent disability or condition can benefit from a plate. If you usually drive the same car, a permanent license plate is more convenient than a placard. Renewing usually requires getting registration stickers with a new expiration date.
If you were part of a service unit of the armed forces, you might qualify for a disabled veteran plate. Depending on the state, you might need to show a certain percentage of service-connected disability to qualify for the plate. Check the requirements when you make your initial application.
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A handicap placard can reduce the effort a qualified person needs to visit stores and events. Access to preferred parking and available spaces reduces the need to drive around looking for an open space close to your destination. Some states provide additional benefits to holders of placards or plates, such as waived parking fees.
These benefits come with the responsibility to use the placard or plate according to state laws. Misrepresenting your condition to obtain a plate or placard can result in fines. Using a disabled person’s plates or placard when you aren’t with them can also result in penalties. Fraud and duplication can result in jail time on top of fines.
Some states send a renewal notice when it’s time to get a new placard or renew your plates. Each state has its process, so pay attention since you might not get a grace period.
Often, you need to re-certify that you qualify. A medical professional like a nurse practitioner, doctor, physical therapist, or physician’s assistant might need to sign off. Depending on your situation, you might need to check with your healthcare professionals months in advance to get an appointment for your renewal exam.
If you lose your placard, check the requirements for receiving a replacement. Some states charge a fee for replacing a lost or damaged placard.[?]
Understanding the basics of handicap placards can help you navigate your new application or renewal. Review the answers to these common questions.
Car insurers can’t charge you more based on the presence of a placard. But an insurer might charge a higher premium if you have a condition that increases your risk while driving.
It depends on the state. Some states allow free parking at meters. Check with your DMV to learn the extent of your free parking access.
Each state has its criteria for a disability placard or plate. Usually, though, you need a disability that makes it difficult to move physically. Review your state’s program information to learn whether you qualify.
Your state’s DMV can provide you with information about fees. Some states don’t charge fees for placards. Others only charge for temporary disability placards.
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