Description of Parking Placards and Plates
Disabled parking placards and license plates are available for customers with temporary or permanent disabilities that limit or impair their mobility.
Disabled Placards
All placards are mailed to customers and the expiration date is indicated on the placard. Three types of placards are available: temporary, permanent and institutional.
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.
Temporary Receipt
When you request a disabled parking placard at a DMV customer service center or DMV Select office, you will be given a temporary receipt to hang on the rearview mirror. This receipt gives you disabled parking privileges for at least 15 days while you are waiting to receive the placard. However, if the beginning date of your temporary disability or impairment on your Disabled Parking Placard or License Plate Application (MED10) is more than 15 days in the future, you will not be issued a temporary receipt.
The placard will be mailed to you within 15 days of applying for the placard. You will receive your placard prior to the beginning date of your temporary disability or impairment.
Placard ID
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.
Information on your rights and violations is listed next to the placard ID card.
Temporary Placard
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.
The placard is valid for up to 6 months.
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.
Beginning July 1, 2013, a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, podiatrist or chiropractor may certify
up to 15 days in advance of your scheduled medical procedure that undergoing the procedure will limit or impair your ability to
walk. The certification must also indicate the expected length of your disability,
not to exceed six months.
Permanent Parking Placard
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 and Organizational Parking Placard
Institutional 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.
Organizations wishing to obtain disabled placards or plates must present an Institutional/Organizational Disabled Parking Plates or Placard Application (MED11). This application must include a certification that the vehicle is registered in the name of the institution/organization and used routinely to transport citizens with disabilities.
Disabled Plates
Disabled
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 Disabled Parking Plates or Placard
Application (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.