Learn About California Disabled Parking Placards

Understanding California Disabled Parking Placards

A California disabled parking placard is an official permit that allows people with disabilities to park in designated accessible parking spaces. The placard displays the International Symbol of Accessibility—a white wheelchair symbol on a blue background—and includes information about the person or vehicle authorized to use it. These placards are issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and serve as proof that the holder has a qualifying disability.

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The placard system exists because people with certain disabilities face significant challenges accessing buildings, services, and activities due to mobility limitations or other conditions. Accessible parking spaces are located closer to building entrances and have extra space for wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility devices. Without these designated spaces, individuals with disabilities would need to walk much longer distances, which could be painful, exhausting, or impossible depending on their condition.

California law requires that these placards be used only by the person they are issued to, or in specific circumstances for vehicles owned by or regularly used by that person. Misusing someone else's placard or using a placard illegally is considered a violation and can result in fines and other penalties. The state takes placard misuse seriously because it reduces available accessible parking for people who genuinely need it.

Placards come in two forms: removable placards that hang from the rearview mirror, and permanent placards that are mounted on the vehicle. The type issued depends on the person's situation and the recommendation of their healthcare provider. Both types are equally valid for parking in accessible spaces throughout California.

Practical Takeaway: Understanding that California disabled parking placards are official permits tied to specific individuals or vehicles helps explain why they cannot be shared or transferred. This protection ensures that accessible parking spaces remain available for people who truly need them.

Who May Receive a California Disabled Parking Placard

California disabled parking placards may be issued to people with various disabilities and medical conditions. The state recognizes that disability affects people differently, and the conditions that may warrant a placard range from mobility issues to sensory disabilities to chronic illnesses that affect a person's capacity to walk or stand for extended periods.

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Common conditions for which people receive placards include severe arthritis, amputations, mobility device dependence (such as use of wheelchairs, walkers, or canes), significant cardiovascular or pulmonary disease, diabetes with complications affecting mobility, severe visual impairments, permanent or temporary mobility limitations from surgery or injury, and neurological conditions affecting movement or balance. Additionally, people with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities that affect their ability to navigate public spaces may also receive placards.

Temporary placards may be issued for conditions that are expected to improve, such as a broken leg, recent surgery recovery, or other short-term mobility challenges. These temporary placards typically expire after six months, though they can sometimes be renewed if the condition persists longer than expected. Permanent placards are issued to people whose disabilities are ongoing or likely to be long-term.

The process of determining whether someone may receive a placard involves a medical professional's assessment. A physician, surgeon, podiatrist, nurse practitioner, or other qualified healthcare provider must complete a form documenting the person's medical condition and how it affects their mobility or ability to walk. This medical evaluation is required because the state needs professional judgment about whether a person's disability creates a genuine need for accessible parking.

A person does not need to have a specific diagnosis to receive a placard. Instead, the focus is on functional limitations—how the condition affects the person's ability to walk or stand. Someone with multiple conditions, even if each one is relatively minor, may still receive a placard if the combined effect significantly limits their mobility.

Practical Takeaway: Rather than looking at specific diagnoses, California's placard program focuses on how a medical condition affects a person's actual functioning. This means people with various conditions—visible and invisible—may receive placards if their mobility is substantially limited.

How to Obtain a California Disabled Parking Placard

The process of obtaining a California disabled parking placard involves several steps that must be followed in order. First, a person seeking a placard must visit a healthcare provider who is authorized to evaluate disability. Authorized providers include physicians (MDs and DOs), surgeons, podiatrists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. This healthcare provider needs to examine the person and complete the official DMV form documenting their medical condition and functional limitations.

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The healthcare provider fills out form DL 625, which is the official Application for Disabled Person Parking Placard or License Plate. On this form, the provider documents the person's disability, the expected duration (whether it is temporary or permanent), and certifies that the person's condition genuinely affects their mobility. The provider must sign and date the form and include their license information. This form is a crucial document because it establishes the medical basis for the placard.

Once the healthcare provider has completed the form, the person seeking the placard takes this completed form to the DMV, along with required identification documents. At the DMV, the applicant must provide proof of California residency and a valid form of identification. If applying for a placard for a vehicle rather than a personal placard, the person will also need to provide vehicle registration documents.

The DMV staff will review the completed medical form and identification documents. If everything is in order, the DMV issues the placard. For a new placard request, the process typically takes a few days to a couple of weeks. People can submit their applications at any DMV office or, in some cases, through mail-in options. The DMV website provides information about current processing times and available options for submission.

There are fees associated with obtaining a disabled parking placard. The cost varies depending on whether the person is getting a removable placard or a permanent placard, but fees are generally modest. Some people, such as those with certain low incomes, may be eligible for fee reductions or waivers—the DMV office or website can provide information about these possibilities.

Practical Takeaway: Obtaining a placard requires working with a qualified healthcare provider who can document the medical basis for the request, then submitting that documentation to the DMV along with identification. Having the healthcare provider complete their portion accurately and completely helps ensure the DMV can process the request smoothly.

Rules for Using and Displaying Your Placard

California law specifies exactly how disabled parking placards must be displayed and used. A removable placard must be hung from the rearview mirror of the vehicle so that it is clearly visible from outside the car. The placard should hang straight down and not be folded or obscured. When the vehicle is parked and the placard holder is not present, the placard should be removed or hidden inside the vehicle so that it is not visible from outside. This prevents the vehicle from appearing to have authorization when the authorized person is not actually there.

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Permanent placards that are affixed to the vehicle are displayed differently. These placards are mounted on the vehicle and remain visible at all times. Both removable and permanent placards have expiration dates that are printed on them. It is the responsibility of the placard holder to track the expiration date and renew the placard before it expires. Using an expired placard can result in citations and fines.

One of the most important rules is that placards are nontransferable. A placard issued to a specific person can only be used when that person is in the vehicle. Some exceptions exist: for example, if a placard is issued to a person with a severe disability who cannot drive, the placard may be used by a caregiver driving that person in a specifically registered vehicle. However, the general rule is that placards are tied to individuals and cannot be loaned to family members, friends, or other people.

When using accessible parking, the vehicle must not block or obstruct the access aisle—the striped area next to the accessible space that provides room for wheelchair lifts and other equipment. Parking in the access aisle without a placard is illegal, and parking in the access aisle even with a valid placard is prohibited. The accessible space itself and the access aisle are both protected areas that must be used correctly.

Placard holders must follow the same traffic laws and parking regulations as other drivers. The placard only grants the right to park in designated accessible spaces—it does not override meter fees, time limits, or other parking regulations unless a specific sign indicates otherwise. Some accessible parking spaces have posted time limits, and a placard holder must still adhere to these limits.