Disabled Parking Placards: Everything You Want to Know. Or Should.

We’ve all seen them: the blue or red parking placards for the disabled hanging from interior mirrors of vehicles.

But we can all stand to learn more about them. 

I can only speak for laws in California, because that’s where I live. Everyone should check out their own state’s laws regarding obtaining and using a parking placard for the handicapped. I’m sure the information is available online.

How to qualify

Here’s the description copied from the California Department of Motor Vehicles website:

You may qualify for a DP(Disabled Person) placard or DPplates if you have impaired mobility due to having lost use of one or more lower extremities, or both hands, or have a diagnosed disease that substantially impairs or interferes with mobility, or one who is severely disabled to be unable to move without the aid of an assistive devise. You may also qualify if you have specific, documented visual problems, including lower-vision or partial-sightedness.

I know, it reads like a partially-sighted person composed that, but you get the idea.

How to apply for one

Start with your doctor, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant. They must sign off on the paperwork and many have forms in the office.  Alternatively, you can print the form online and bring it in with you. 


Don’t be afraid to request one from your health provider. It may not be on his or her priority list but it may be on yours. I needed one almost immediately when cancer struck, but even if you have a temporary affliction, it might be worth getting a temporary placard.

You can either mail in the form or bring it to the DMV and they’ll issue you a placard over the counter.

Types of placards

In California there are three basic types you can apply for: the red temporary placard, the blue permanent placard or the disabled person license plates. The red one is good for six months (and costs $6) and then you have to reapply with another form signed by a doctor.

The permanent placard is free and is good for two years. You do not have to reapply. One will be sent to you before your other one expires.

If you get the disabled license plates (also free), you need to surrender your current plates. The downside of that is that you give up the portability of the placard: You can put it in any car in which you are traveling, not only the one with the plates on it.

What they allow you to do

Everyone knows the disabled placards let you park in a space, usually blue, with the wheelchair symbol designating it as a handicapped spot.

You can also park in any metered street spot without paying at all. (Yippee. One teeny tiny thing that’s good about being handicapped.)

You can also park in any green zone without regard to time.

You CANNOT park where the curbs are white, yellow or red. A security guard I was talking to recently asked me if I realized I could park in any red zone. No, I said. He said his mom has a handicapped placard and that it is indeed true. Actually, he said, you can park anywhere.

No, you can't.

The paperwork that comes with the placard specifically spells out where you can and cannot park. Red, yellow and white curbs are forbidden.

Other benefits

If you have a disabled placard, a service station attendant must, on request, refuel your gas at the self-serve rate except if that station has only one employee on duty at the moment.

This law is pretty much useless to me.

I usually see only one employee at a station but can’t really tell from my driver’s seat how many people are on duty.

To inquire how many folks are on duty or to ask for help filling your tank you need to push a button that it is on the pump.

If I get all the way out of my car, collapse my walker so I can fit between the pump and my vehicle, and am positioned to reach the help button, I may as well fill‘er up myself. If I have trouble, which I do sometimes, there is usually a kind stranger  I can ask for help.

Another benefit, at least here in Los Angeles: valet parking companies will usually give you a discount or waive the rate if you hang your placard while you pull in. You still need to tip them, of course. 

What not to do

Do NOT hang a placard from your rearview mirror while you are driving around. It's to be used only when you are parking. Mine says right on it “Parking Placard”. It also says across the top: REMOVE FROM MIRROR BEFORE DRIVING VEHICLE.

But apparently many people don’t notice that. Every day I see motorists who are driving with their blue or red placard hanging in the middle of the window.

Do you realize it then becomes more of a handicap because it limits your field of vision?

It reminds me of my sons, who leave their Coachella concert parking hangers on their mirrors because it shows other drivers they are Coachella alums. But disabled folks don’t need to brag about their limitations. And we certainly don’t need to give each other mobile high fives because we are all in the same club.

Last, do not loan out your placard to others. Or use one if you are not disabled. It's illegal, immoral and inexcusable.