Persons with Disabilities Placards/Plates

Pennsylvania's Persons with Disabilities placards and registration plates are universal and accepted in all 50 states.

Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard and Registration Plate Eligibility Requirements:

1. is blind;
2. does not have full use of an arm or both arms;
3. cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest;
4. cannot walk without the use of, or assistance from, a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair or other assistive device;
5. is restricted by lung disease to such an extent that the person's forced (respiratory) expiratory volume for one second, when measured by spirometry, is less than 1 liter or the arterial oxygen tension is less than 60 mm/hg on room air at rest;
6. uses portable oxygen;
7. has a cardiac condition to the extent that the person's functional limitations are classified in severity as Class III or Class IV according to the standards set by the American Heart Association;
8. is severely limited in his or her ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition;
9. is a person in loco parentis of a person specified in paragraph 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 above.
10. is the parent, including adoptive parent or foster parent, of a child or adult child provided that the person has custody, care or control of the child or adult child and the child or adult child satisfies paragraph 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8; OR,
11. is the spouse of a person specified in paragraph 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8

 Any person meeting any of the above criteria must have the disabled person's disabilities certified by an authorized health care provider, law enforcement, or a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office Administrator. A health care provider is defined as a physician, chiropractor, optometrist, podiatrist, physician's assistant, or a certified registered nurse practitioner licensed or certified to practice in this commonwealth or in a contiguous state.

Health care providers may only certify disabilities within their scope of practice and must be licensed or certified in PA or a contiguous state: New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, or Ohio.

Police officers may only certify disability codes 1 (blind) and 4 (cannot walk without the use of, or assistance from, a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair or other assistive device).

A Person in Loco Parentis is charged by law with the natural parent's rights, duties, and responsibilities acting on behalf of a child in place of the child's natural parents. In addition, a parent, including an adoptive or foster parent who has custody, care or control of the child or adult child or a spouse, may sign on behalf of the child, adult child, or spouse (applicant) provided the applicant meets eligibility requirements 1 through 8.

In order to be issued a severely disabled veteran parking placard, the disability must be service-connected and certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office Administrator (Philadelphia or Pittsburgh) or service unit in which the veteran served. A veteran may also self-certify by providing a legible photocopy of their Letter of Promulgation, Awards Letter, Single Notification Letter, or Summary of Benefits Letter, provided the documents indicate a 100 percent service-connected disability.

Persons with Disability Registration Plates

Persons with Disability Registration Plate

PennDOT shall issue a special registration plate for a passenger car or truck with a registered gross weight of not more than 14,000 pounds, designating the vehicle so licensed as being used by a person with a disability.

Benefits:

• When the vehicle is used by or for the person with a disability, the plate will allow vehicles to park for a period of 60 minutes in excess of the legal parking period permitted by local authorities, except where local ordinances or police regulations provide for the accommodation of heavy traffic during morning, afternoon, and evening hours.
• Any vehicle displaying the registration plate being operated by or for a person with a disability qualifies to park in areas so designated as being reserved for persons with disability.
• Upon request of a person with a qualifying disability, local authorities may erect a sign(s) on the highway as close as possible to the person's residence indicating that the place is reserved for a person with a disability.
  

Persons with Disability Motorcycle Registration Plate

The department shall issue a registration plate containing the international symbol for access for persons with disabilities for display on the registration plate.

Benefits:

• When the vehicle is used by or for the person with a disability, the plate will allow vehicles to park for a period of 60 minutes in excess of the legal parking period permitted by local authorities, except where local ordinances or police regulations provide for the accommodation of heavy traffic during morning, afternoon, and evening hours.
• Any vehicle displaying the registration plate, being operated by or for a person with a disability, qualifies to park in areas so designated as being reserved for persons with disability.
• Upon request of a person with a qualifying disability, local authorities may erect a sign(s) on the highway as close as possible to the person's residence indicating that the place is reserved for a person with a disability.
  

Disabled Veteran Registration Plate

On the application of any veteran having a disability certified by the service unit of the armed forces in which the veteran served or by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office Administrator as service-connected, PennDOT shall issue a special registration plate designating the vehicle as belonging to a disabled veteran.

Severely Disabled Veteran Plate

On the application of a veteran whose service-connected disability is certified at 100 percent by the service unit of the armed forces in which the veteran served or by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office Administrator or who has a service-connected disability, PennDOT shall issue a special registration plate designating the vehicle as belonging to a severely disabled veteran. A veteran may also self-certify by providing a legible photocopy of their Letter of Promulgation, Awards Letter, Single Notification Letter, or Summary of Benefits Letter, provided the documents indicate a 100 percent service-connected disability.

Benefits:

• When the vehicle is used by or for the person with a disability, the plate will allow vehicles to park for a period of 60 minutes in excess of the legal parking period permitted by local authorities, except where local ordinances or police regulations provide for the accommodation of heavy traffic during morning, afternoon, and evening hours.
• Any vehicle displaying the registration plate, being operated by or for a person with a disability, qualifies to park in areas so designated as being reserved for persons with disability.
• Upon request of a person with a qualifying disability, local authorities may erect a sign(s) on the highway as close as possible to the person's residence indicating that the place is reserved for a person with a disability.
  

Severely Disabled Veteran Motorcycle Decal

On the application of a veteran whose service-connected disability is certified at 100 percent by the service unit of the armed forces in which the veteran served or by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office Administrator or who has a service-connected disability, in the case of a motorcycle, PennDOT shall issue a decal containing the international symbol for access for persons with disabilities and the words "disabled veteran" for display on the registration plate. A veteran may also self-certify by providing a legible photocopy of their Letter of Promulgation, Awards Letter, Single Notification Letter, or Summary of Benefits Letter, provided the documents indicate a 100 percent service-connected disability.

Benefits:

• When the vehicle is used by or for the person with a disability, the decal will allow vehicles to park for a period of 60 minutes in excess of the legal parking period permitted by local authorities, except where local ordinances or police regulations provide for the accommodation of heavy traffic during morning, afternoon, and evening hours.
• Any vehicle displaying the decal on the registration plate, being operated by or for a person with a disability, qualifies to park in areas so designated as being reserved for persons with disability.
• Upon request of a person with a qualifying disability, local authorities may erect a sign(s) on the highway as close as possible to the person's residence indicating that the place is reserved for a person with a disability.
  

Persons with Disability Parking Placards

Initial Issuance (Customer Counter)

If the customer brings a completed Form MV-145A (PDF), "Persons with Disability Parking Placard Application," to the Riverfront Office Center (ROC) located in Harrisburg, a permanent placard will be issued along with a temporary ID card. This temporary identification (ID) card is used until a permanent wallet-size ID card is mailed to the customer.

Temporary placards processed at the ROC will be issued a temporary ID card and a temporary placard. Customers will use the temporary ID card until a permanent wallet-size ID card is mailed to the customer.

Initial Issuance (Through Mail)

If the customer mails in a completed Form MV-145A (PDF), "Persons with Disability Parking Placard Application," to the Riverfront Office Center (ROC) located in Harrisburg, a permanent placard and a permanent ID card will be issued and mailed to the customer together.

Temporary placards applications mailed to the ROC will receive a temporary ID card and a temporary placard, together in the mail; a permanent ID card for the temporary placard that was issued will be received at a later date in the mail. Temporary placards are valid for six months and the disability must be certified by a licensed health care provider or a police officer every time a renewal is needed.

A placard is issued for use in any vehicle which is being operated exclusively by or for the benefit of a person with disability and may only be used when those persons are being transported in the vehicle.

In order for a customer to obtain their initial placard, Form MV-145A (PDF), "Persons with Disability Parking Placard Application" must be completed by the person with a disability, a health care provider, or a police officer and returned to PennDOT.

A customer may have:

1. One (1) Person with Disability placards OR
2. One (1) Persons with Disability placard and one (1) Persons with Disability registration plate.
   

NOTE: No fee is charged for the placard, although notarization is required.

Placard Renewals and Replacements

In order to obtain a placard, Form MV-145A (PDF), "Persons with Disability Parking Placard Application" must be completed by the person with a disability, a health care provider, or a police officer and returned to PennDOT. Permanent placards are valid for five years and renewed in March or September. Placard holders will be mailed a renewal form approximately 60 days prior to their expiration.

If the renewal application was not received for some reason, complete Form MV-145A (PDF), and indicate you are applying for a renewal of your placard. Please check the appropriate reason for replacement. List your previous placard number and complete Sections A and E. 

NOTE: If product was not received within 90 days, please check the "Never Received" box or if product was not received or over 90 days please check the "Lost" box.

Care and Use of Parking Placards

• The placard should not be displayed on the rearview mirror while the vehicle is being operated. Placards are only to be displayed when the vehicle is parked in areas designated for the use of persons with disabilities.
• Placards are designed and manufactured to be durable for five years. To avoid damage to the placard, when it is not being displayed, it should be stored in a safe place away from long exposures to extreme hot and cold temperatures and direct sunlight.
• The placard will not entitle vehicles that are designated to transport persons with disabilities to be parked in areas where parking is prohibited.
• If the placard owner no longer requires the use of the placard, and the placard is still valid, the placard must be returned to PennDOT. The placard must be mailed to: Bureau of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 68268, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8268. If the placard has expired, it can be destroyed. There is no need to return it to PennDOT.
• Any unauthorized person found to be in violation commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $100.
  

Placard ID Cards

Placard Identification (ID) cards are mailed along with permanent placards. Customers will receive a wallet-size ID card to carry with them as proof of identification. If a customer applies through a PennDOT counter service area, the placard will be returned with a temporary ID card and the permanent wallet ID card will be mailed separately to the customer.

Permanent Persons with Disability Parking Placard

A permanent placard is issued for use in any vehicle that is being operated exclusively by or for the benefit of a person with disability and may only be used when those persons are being transported in the vehicle.

• When the vehicle is used by or for the person with a disability, the placard will allow vehicles to park for a period of 60 minutes in excess of the legal parking period permitted by local authorities, except where local ordinances or police regulations provide for the accommodation of heavy traffic during morning, afternoon, and evening hours.
• Any vehicle displaying the placard hung from the front windshield rearview mirror, being operated by or for a person with a disability, qualifies to park in areas so designated as being reserved for persons with disability.
• Upon request of a person with a qualifying disability, local authorities may erect a sign(s) on the highway as close as possible to the person's residence indicating that the place is reserved for a person with a disability.
  

Severely Disabled Veteran Placard

On the application of a veteran whose service-connected disability is certified at 100 percent by the service unit of the armed forces in which the veteran served or by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office Administrator or who has a service-connected disability, PennDOT shall issue one special parking placard, designating the vehicle in which it is displayed as being used for the transportation of a severely disabled veteran. A veteran may also self-certify by providing a legible photocopy of their Letter of Promulgation, Awards Letter, Single Notification Letter, or Summary of Benefits Letter, provided the documents indicate a 100 percent service-connected disability.

Benefits:

• When the vehicle is used by or for the person with a disability, the placard will allow vehicles to park for a period of 60 minutes in excess of the legal parking period permitted by local authorities, except where local ordinances or police regulations provide for the accommodation of heavy traffic during morning, afternoon, and evening hours.
  
• Any vehicle displaying the placard hung from the front windshield rearview mirror, being operated by or for a person with a disability, qualifies to park in areas so designated as being reserved for persons with disability.
• Upon request of a person with a qualifying disability, local authorities may erect a sign(s) on the highway as close as possible to the person's residence indicating that the place is reserved for a person with a disability.
  

Temporary Persons with Disability Parking Placard

A temporary placard is issued for use in any vehicle which is being operated exclusively by or for the benefit of a person with disability and may only be used when those persons are being transported in the vehicle.

Qualified individuals are permitted to obtain a temporary placard for a period of up to six months.

Temporary Placard Issuance Program for Health Care Facilities

Click to view PDF.

In an effort to better serve the needs of Pennsylvanians and the health care professionals who care for them, PennDOT has expanded its Person with Disability Temporary Parking Placard Issuance Program to allow the immediate release of temporary placards by select health care providers. As a result, persons with qualifying disabilities can now obtain a temporary placard directly and instantly from an approved health care provider.

This partnership with health care providers allows persons with temporary disabilities to complete a placard application, obtain the required certification of disability, and receive their parking placard at the health care facility all in one visit. For your convenience, see the list of all Participating Health Care Facilities.

Please note that Temporary Person with Disability Parking Placards may not be renewed. Temporary Person with Disability Placard applications must be re-certified by a licensed health care provider when a temporary placard has expired and a placard is still required for a period not to exceed six months.