To replace a handicap placard, apply to the state agency that issued it (usually the DMV) using their online portal, a mailed application, or an in-person visit, along with your ID, your old placard number if you have it, a police report if the placard was stolen, and fresh medical certification if the placard has expired. Replacements typically arrive within two to four weeks, and many offices will hand you a temporary parking receipt while you wait.
Figure Out Whether You Need a Replacement or a New Application
A lost, stolen, damaged, or faded placard calls for a straightforward replacement. If the expiration date or placard number is no longer readable, replace it before you get pulled over; law enforcement can ticket you for displaying a placard that’s too damaged to read.
An expired placard is different. Permanent placards are valid for roughly four years in most states, and temporary placards generally expire within six months or less and cannot be renewed. If your condition persists past a temporary placard’s expiration, you’ll submit a new application with fresh medical certification rather than a replacement request. Some states also require periodic medical re-certification when a permanent placard comes up for renewal, so build that into your timeline.
What to Gather Before You Apply
Every state asks for some mix of the following:
- A government-issued ID, usually a driver’s license or state ID card.
- Your old placard number and expiration date. If it was lost or stolen and you don’t remember them, the DMV can generally look them up with your name and ID.
- A police report, if the placard was stolen. Many states require one, and some waive the replacement fee when you provide it.
- Medical certification, if the placard has expired or your state requires re-certification. A licensed provider fills out and signs the medical section of the form.
Who Can Sign the Medical Section
States accept signatures from a range of providers, not just your primary care doctor. Depending on the state, that list may include physicians, surgeons, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, chiropractors, optometrists, and certified nurse midwives. The provider needs direct knowledge of your condition, so a specialist who treats the qualifying disability is usually the right person to sign.
Watch the dates. Some states require the certification to be signed within a specific window before submission. If the signature is too old, the agency will reject the form and you’ll be back at your provider’s office.
How to Submit the Application
Most states offer three routes, and the fastest one depends on where you live and whether new medical certification is involved.
Online
A growing number of states run online portals for replacements. You log into an account, complete the application, upload supporting documents, and pay by card or bank transfer. This is usually the quickest option when no new medical certification is needed.
By Mail
Download the form from your state’s DMV site, fill it out, and mail it with copies of your supporting documents to the address printed on the form. Postal transit adds time on both ends, so budget accordingly.
In Person
Bring your completed application and original documents to a local DMV office. In-person visits get you immediate verification, and many offices issue a temporary parking receipt on the spot so you can use accessible spaces while the permanent placard is produced and mailed. If your old placard is damaged but still in hand, bring it with you.
Replacement Fees
Many states issue replacements for free. Others charge a small fee, typically in the $5 to $10 range. The reason for replacement can affect the price: some states waive the cost for a stolen placard when you supply a police report but charge for lost or damaged ones. Check your state DMV’s website or call before you submit.
Timing and the Temporary Receipt
Most states produce and mail replacement placards within two to four weeks, longer during busy periods. If you applied in person and received a temporary receipt, note its expiration date. If the permanent placard hasn’t arrived by then, contact the issuing agency right away. When it does arrive, check that your name and the expiration date are correct; fixing an error is easier immediately than months down the line.
Returning the Old Placard
If your old placard is damaged but still with you, most states expect you to surrender it once the replacement arrives. The same rule applies if you reported one lost and later found it. Holding two active placards under the same registration can look like fraud, and some states treat it as a violation. Return the old one to a DMV office or mail it back to the issuing agency, and if you’re unsure how your state wants it handled, call and ask.
Avoid Misuse While You Wait and After
Disability parking fraud carries real consequences. Using someone else’s placard, displaying one that belonged to a person who has died, or parking in an accessible space without a valid placard can bring fines of $250 or more, with higher penalties and possible community service for repeat offenses. Some states also revoke the legitimate holder’s parking privileges when misuse is discovered.
The trap most people fall into isn’t outright fraud. It’s letting a family member who drops you off keep using the placard to run their own errands. In every state, the placard is only valid when the person it was issued to is driving the vehicle or riding in it.