Description of Parking Placards and Plates

Effective April 15, 2004 DMV began issuing all placards by mail. Placards issued before this date continue to be valid until they expire.

When you request a disabled parking placard at a DMV customer service center, you are given a receipt to hang on the rearview mirror. This receipt gives you disabled parking privileges for at least 15 days while waiting to receive the placard.

The completed placard, pre-printed on a computer, will be mailed to you within 15 days. Three types of placards are available - Temporary, Permanent and Institutional.

Temporary placards are issued to customers with a physical condition that limits or impairs the ability to walk and is expected to last no longer than six months. Your physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, podiatrist or chiropractor must indicate the expected length of your disability. If your disabled privileges are needed for a longer period of time, a new application with a physician's, physician's assistant, nurse practitioner's, podiatrist or chiropractor certification is required. Podiatrists and chiropractors may only certify for the conditions or disabilities listed in the certification section provided for podiatrists and chiropractors on the MED10 form. The placard is valid for up to 6 months.

Permanent placards are issued to customers with a disability that is defined as a physical condition that limits or impairs movement from one place to another or the ability to walk as defined in Va. Code §46.2-1240, and that has reached the maximum level of improvement and is not expected to change even with additional treatment. They are also issued to customers with a condition that creates a safety concern while walking (examples are Alzheimer's disease, blindness or developmental amentia). Podiatrists and chiropractors may only certify for the conditions or disabilities listed in the certification section provided for podiatrists and chiropractors on the MED10 form. The placard is valid for 5 years. A physician's, physician assistant's, nurse practitioner's, podiatrist's or chiropractor's certification is not required to renew a permanent placard.

Institutional placards are issued at no fee to authorized representatives of non-profit institutions or organizations that regularly transport disabled persons. The placard is valid for 5 years and it cannot be renewed. However, it may be reissued as an original placard. A physician's, physician assistant's, nurse practitioner's, podiatrist's or chiropractor's certification is not required.

Placards expire on the last day of the month and year indicated on the placard.

Placards should be hung from the rearview mirror while the vehicle is parked in a space authorized for the disabled. The side that shows the placard holder's identifying information must face the rear of the vehicle. Placards must be removed from the rearview mirror while the vehicle is in motion.

You will receive a placard ID card with your placard. The placard ID card does not have a photograph, but displays your name, address, placard number (corresponding with the number on the placard) and placard expiration date.

Additionally, information on your rights and violations is listed next to the placard ID card.

License Plates must bear the International Symbol of Access (ISA) in order to entitle the holder to special parking privileges. Physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, chiropractors or podiatrists may complete medical certifications so that you may obtain disabled parking license plates. Podiatrists and chiropractors may only certify for the conditions or disabilities listed in the certification section provided for podiatrists and chiropractors on the MED10 form. When disabled license plates are issued for a vehicle registered to multiple owners, the registration card for that vehicle must indicate which owner is disabled. When disabled plates are issued to the parent or legal guardian of a person with a disability, this will be noted on the vehicle registration card. Disabled license plates may be renewed without a physician's, physician assistant's, nurse practitioner's, podiatrist's or chiropractor's certification.

For information on license plates for the hearing-impaired or a driver's license indicator for hearing or speech impaired or insulin-dependent customers, refer to special assistance.

Disabled parking forms:

All forms are are in pdf format and require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print.