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Learn More About Getting a California Disabled Person Placards
To get a Disabled Person (DP) placard or License Plates, you must be qualified as a permanently disabled or temporary disabled person. To get these cards, you do not have to pay any fee. Read more to determine if you qualify for California DMV disabled placard and how to handle the handicap placard application.
Medical content reviewed by Dr Eric Jackson-Scott MD, Chief Medical Officer
It is possible to get both new or replacement disabled placard online.
Are you eligible for disabled person Placard or Plates in California?
Before you are cleared to get disability placards, you must get an authorized medical expert to verify that you are eligible. There are different eligibility guidelines that they can use to test if you qualify. Here is a look at some of the reasons which could result in you meeting the qualify conditions for handicapped parking .
You have severely disabled mobility either due to a condition or a disease
You have a lung disease that gives you a forced expiratory volume for 1second by spirometry is less than a liter of your arterial oxygen tension is less than 60mm/hg at rest
One or both of your hands are missing
One or both of your legs are missing
Have a low vision, or you are blind
Most of the use of one or more extremities or both hands
You are a diagnosed with a disease that limits your mobility
You can’t move without using the assistive device
You have certain visual issues like partial sightedness or lower-vision
You have workers compensation injury that inhibits your mobility of have had back, knee, neck, or ankle surgery
If you have any of these conditions, you can make an application to get the handicap placard. But you will need to attach a detailed description of the condition that is disabling you.
What is the California Application Process for Disabled Person Parking Permits and Plates?
You can use two options to get your disabled person parking permit and a plate in California. You can choose to go to the local DMV office to get your application, or you can print the document online.
You will not be required to pay anything to get the permanent parking placards and license plates. But if you are getting a temporary handicap sticker, then you will need to pay $6.
Note that you will need to fill in the forms with your health care provider to offer all the information about your condition. After filling in the request, you can take it or mail it to the DMV.
What is the medical certification form?
You will need to attach this form with the form that you are using to apply for the DMV handicap placard or plate. The document is found in the California DMV office or website. You will need to work with a health care provider so that you can complete the application. The medical professional you choose to help you fill in the information needs to have full details about your condition. You need to get a legit medical professional to help you fill the data since they will also need to give their names, address, and medical license number.
You need to make sure that you have checked the category where your disability falls before sending in your application for a handicap sticker. After the professional has filled in the data, they will need to have it signed. If you do not have any medical professional that you can trust with your application, you can seek the services of HandicapMD.com to get an expert who will help you with disability placard. This site has connected to various qualified experts to examine you and determine if you qualify to get the California disabled parking permits. This is a great option for those who have difficulties getting to the office of a medical expert.
Placards VS License Plates
It is important for you to understand the difference between the Placards and License plates to get the one that suits your needs. Though both will give you the same parking privilege, they are not the same. The placard is a card that you can move with it from one car to another, depending on your travel vehicle. They are suitable for the caregivers who transport someone who is disabled. On the other handle, the license plates are affixed to a specific car and are the best option in cases where the disabled person is the one who drives themselves.
Types of DP placards
Permanent parking Placards: These are cards given to those who have a permanent disability. The card is valid for two years and will expire on June 30th of each odd number year.
Temporary Parking Placards: these cards are valid for 18o days or until the date when the medical experts state that you will get better, depending on which one is shorter. This card can be renewed up to six times in a row.
Travel parking Placard: This is for those who have a permanent disability permanent DP placard, a license plate, or Disable veteran (DV) license plate. The travel parking placard is valid for 30 days.
Travel parking Placards for non residents: This is a placard that is given to those who have a permanent disability for those who have a DMV license plate. The document is valid for 90 days from the time it is issued.
Disabled Veteran License Plate
If you have met the eligibility of getting the placards, then you might be qualified for the veteran DV license plate. When you get the DV license plate, you will be exempted from having to pay for vehicle registration or the license fee, learn more about the DV license plate.
Applying for a DMV placards
When applying for the disabled placard, you can go to the DMV to get an application form or get the document online. However, you need to ensure that the document you get is for the DV parking.
You will need to have a qualified medical expert to assist you with the application. The medical professional you select needs to be familiar with the disease or the condition you have. In addition, they will need to fill in a section explaining your condition.
When submitting the form, make sure that you have filled all the parts. If the placard you are applying for is the temporary placard, you should submit the fee w alongside the documents.
After you are done with the document, then you should mail it. You can get the address that you will use on the form.
To apply for a DP license plate
When applying for the DP license plate, you need to understand the handicap parking laws California.
You also need to find a qualified and licensed medical practitioner who is competent to deal with your condition to help you fill the form. The professional will be required to sign the Medical Provider’s Certification of Disability Section of your application.
The other document you will need is the current registration card in your name. If you do not have one, then you will need to submit the required documentation to register your vehicle in your name.
Make the payment of the registration fee on the vehicle.
Then surrender the license plates that are currently on the vehicle.
Medical Provider Certificate of Disability
When applying for your California DMV disabled placard, you need to work with a medical expert to help fill your form. You will need a licensed physician, surgeon, physician assistant, or nurse-midwife. You should make sure that the medical expert you choose has been certified. You also have to make sure that they are familiar with your disease. They should be willing to help you complete the application of your DMV handicap form. These HandicapMD experts should fill and sign the Medical Provider’s Form of your application REG 195.
If your disability is due to the loss of both of your lower extremities, you need to use a licensed chiropractor to certify this information.
If the disability you have is due to limited eyesight or blindness, you need to use a licensed optometrist to get you the certification so you can get your disabled parking placard.
However, there are some conditions that you will not need to seek the help of a Medical Provider of Disability.
You cannot use both hands, and you deliver the DMV handicap form in person
You have a permanent California DP placard/DP License plate/DV License Plate number that you have entered as part A of your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any privileges of having a DP placard or DP license plate?
Yes, there are numerous privileges you might get when you have the California handicap placard. Here is a look at how to get handicapped parking.
When you get a valid DP License plate or a DP placard, you may pack;
In a parking space that has the wheelchair Symbol
Next to blue curb that is authorized for persons with disabilities.
Next to a green curb- The green curb is an indication of limited-time parking. Thus, you can use this space to park as long as you wish.
In an on-street metered parking space without paying any fee,
In the parking spaces that indicate that they need a resident or a merchant permit.
What are the downsides of having the DP place cards or the DP license Plates?
When you have the California handicap placard you might not park;
In areas that are marked with the crosshatch pattern to a parking space with the International Symbol of Access (The wheelchair symbol). The reason is these are parking spaces for wheelchair and wheelchair lift access.
Near a yellow curb- the yellow curbs are used by commercial vehicles to load passengers or freight,
Next to a white curb- The white curbs are used for loading and unloading passengers or depositing mail in the adjustment mailbox.
You need to understand how to get handicap parking, so you do not end up in trouble with the law.
Can I share my DP placard or the DP license plate?
No, you cannot share any California disabled person placard. However, here is a look at other handicap parking laws California that you cannot do with the DMV handicap placard. Upon violation, you might be subjected to fines or citations.
Lend the placard to someone else.
Use a placard that is not yours.
You have forged the Medical signature of a medical expert.
Have or display counterfeit placards or license plates.
Offer false information to get a disabled parking placard.
Change a placard or placard identification card,
If you abuse the California DMV disabled placard, it might lead to cancellation or revocation of the card. Thus, this means that you will end up losing the privilege that it offers. It could also result in you being penalized.
Do I need to renew my permanent DP placard?
It is common for people to wonder how do I renew my handicap placard in California. Here is what you need to know. You do not have to replace a permanent DP placard. Since the DMV already has your information, they will be mailing you new cards to the address you gave them. If you change your address, you will need to update the new address in the DMV to get the placards at your nearest address.
If you are wondering how you can change the address, here is what you need to do.
Go online and download the Notice of Change of Address (DMV 14) and fill in the data. When done, you mail the form.
You can give the automated voice system a call on 1-800-777-0133 so that you can have the form mailed to you.
How long are the handicap and parking placards and plates valid in California?
Various factors determine how long the disabled person placard will be valid, like the type of handicap permit you have, the time range, and the renewal policies.
Depending on the type of placards you have, the duration can be six months to 2 years. You should do more research on how do i renew my handicap placard in California.
How do I replace the DP placard if it is stolen or damaged?
You might get a substitute placard in the event where your permanent or temporary placard is damaged, lost, or stolen.
To get the substitute card, you will need to complete and in the Application for Replacement. In case the reason for replacement is damage, then you will need to surrender the damaged card.
If the placard you have is not permanent for travel, you will be needed to pay a fee to the DMV.
Once you are done with the application, you can take it to the DMV in person, or you can mail it.
Address where to mail the DMV placard forms
DMV Placard
Po Box 942869
Sacramento, CA 94269-00100
Once you have submitted your application, you will get the parking placard in four weeks.
I have a wheelchair lift that obstructs the view of my rear license plate. Do you have window decals?
Yes, you can get the window decals. All you need to do is to ensure that you qualify to get the decal. You need to
Have a DP placards
Transport someone with a DP or a DV placard
If you qualify for it, then you can apply for the decal by mailing the application to
Department of Motor Vehicles
Special Processing Unit
Po BOX 932345-3450
The request to get the decal should not be submitted to the DMV office. Once your application is received, you should get the decal in not more than eight weeks.
Where is the California DMV field offices located?
There are various DMV offices throughout the state. These companies offer numerous services such as vehicle and disability permits, registration and title transaction, and license plate renewals.
If you would like to learn more about the California Department of Motor Vehicles then you can visit their website or you can call them on 1-800-777-0133.
