Disability Parking Placards And Plates

Special parking privileges are available for individuals with certain disabilities. Those whose disability is certified by a health care provider as having a permanent disability may be eligible for a Person with Disability Registration Plate or a permanent Person with Disability Parking Placard. Those whose disability is temporary may be eligible for a temporary Person with Disability Parking Placard. A Person with Disability Registration Plate is assigned to a vehicle record. Therefore the disabled person must be listed on the vehicle record as a registrant.

A Person with Disability Parking Placard is issued to the disabled person for their use in any vehicle being operated exclusively by or for the benefit of a person with disability and may only be used when those persons are actually being transported in the vehicle.

A Disabled Veteran Registration Plate is issued to an individual who has any percentage service-connected disability, certified by a Veterans Administration regional office administrator (Philadelphia or Pittsburgh) or service unit in which the veteran served. Note: No special parking privileges are associated with this registration plate.

A Severely Disabled Veteran Registration Plate is issued to an individual who has a 100 percent service-connected disability, certified by a Veterans Administration regional office administrator (Philadelphia or Pittsburgh) or service unit in which the veteran served.

Defining a “Person with Disability Parking Placard”

A Person with Disability Parking Placard is a special parking placard issued by PennDOT to a person who meets the qualifications as listed in “Who is Eligible?” This parking placard is to be displayed on the rearview mirror when a vehicle is utilizing a parking space reserved for person with disabilities.

Defining a “Person with Disability Registration Plate”

A Person with Disability Registration Plate is a special parking registration plate issued by PennDOT to a person who meets the qualifications as listed in "Who is Eligible?". This registration plate is displayed on the rear of the vehicle at all times. The person with the disability must also be listed as a registered owner of the vehicle unless the vehicle owner is a person in loco parentis of a qualified person.

What are the Benefits of a Person with Disability Parking Placard or Person with Disability Registration Plate?

Parking is permitted in spaces designated for disabled persons and for 60 minutes in excess of legal parking period except where local ordinances or police regulations provide for the accommodation of heavy traffic during morning, afternoon or evening hours.

Upon request of a person with 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 the person with a disability, that no one else may park there unless a person with disability plate or placard is displayed and that any unauthorized person parking there will be subject to a fine.

Types of Placards

There are several types of placards available. These are: Person with Disability Permanent Parking Placard (valid for a period of five years) Severely Disabled Veteran Person with Disability Parking Placard (valid for five years) Person with Disability Temporary Parking Placard (valid up to six months) Severely Disabled Veteran Motorcycle Decal (valid during motorcycle registration period)

Who is Eligible?

A person with a disability listed below that is certified by a health care provider. Eligibility includes a person who:

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 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 the person's forced (respiratory) expiratory volume for one second, when measured by spirometry, is less than one liter or the arterial oxy tension is less than 60 MM/HG on room air at rest; 6. Uses portable oxygen; 7. Has a cardiac condition to the extent 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 in loco parentis of a person specified in one of the above mentioned disabilities

NOTE: Only one Person with Disability Parking Placard may be issued to an individual. In addition, only one Person with Disability Registration Plate may be issued to an individual. However, a qualifying individual may apply for a registration plate and a placard.

How to Apply for an Original Placard

There is no fee required for the issuance of a Person with Disability Parking Placard. There are two different forms available to be completed in order to obtain a Person with Disability or Severely Disabled Veteran Placard or Severely Disabled Veteran Motorcycle Decal. These applications require notarization.

Form MV-145A, “Person with Disability Parking Placard Application” Form MV-145V, "Application for Disabled Veteran, Severely Disabled Veteran Registration Plate or Severely Disabled Veteran Motorcycle Plate Decal."

Submit the above form to: PennDOT Bureau of Motor Vehicles P.O. Box 68268 Harrisburg, PA 17106-8268

NOTE: Only one Person with Disability Parking Placard is issued to qualified applicants. Organizations that transport persons with disabilities may receive up to eight (8) placards in the organization’s name to be used when transporting persons with disabilities.

How to Apply for an Original Person with Disability Registration Plate

The form to obtain a Person with Disability or Hearing Impaired Registration Plate or a Person with Disability Motorcycle Plate is the MV-145, “Person with Disability or Hearing Impaired Registration Plate or a Person with Disability Motorcycle Plate.” Notarization and a fee of $11.00 are required.

Submit the above forms to: PennDOT Bureau of Motor Vehicles 1101 South Front Street Harrisburg, PA 17104

How to Renew a Placard

Permanent placards are renewed in March and September each year. You will be mailed a renewal form approximately 60 days prior to its expiration. If you do not receive a renewal application, you should complete Form MV-145A, “Person with Disability Parking Placard Application.”

NOTE: Temporary Person with Disability Parking Placards may not be renewed. Temporary Person with Disability Placard applications must be recertified 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.

How to Renew a Person with Disability Registration Plate or Person with Disability Motorcycle Registration Plate

Person with Disability Registration Plates are renewed in the same manner as all registration plates. They are valid for one year. You will be mailed a renewal form approximately 90 days prior to its expiration. If you do not receive a renewal application, you should complete Form MV-140, “Request for Registration.”

How to Apply for a Replacement Person with Disability Placard

You may apply for a replacement Person with Disability Parking Placard by completing Form MV-145A ,“Person with Disability Parking Placard Application.” Your previous placard number will be listed as the previous placard on PennDOT’s computer system. If the placard is ever located, it must be returned to PennDOT because it will now be null and void. NOTE: If the replacement request is for a temporary placard, the placard will be issued for the balance of the time remaining on the original temporary placard issued.

How to Apply for a Replacement Person with Disability Plate

You may apply for a replacement person with Disability Registration Plate by completing Form MV-44, “Application for Duplicate Registration Card, Replacement of Registration Plate, Renewal Sticker or Weight Class Sticker,” indicating the reason for the replacement. This form is submitted to PennDOT with a replacement plate fee of $11.00.

How to Apply for a Replacement Person with Disability Motorcycle Plate

You may apply for a replacement Person with Disability Motorcycle Registration Plate by completing Form MV-44, “Application for Duplicate Registration Card, Replacement of Registration Plate, Renewal Sticker or Weight Class Sticker,” indicating the reason for the replacement. This form is submitted to PennDOT with a replacement plate fee of $11.00.

How Do I Obtain a Parking Space in Front of My Residence?

PennDOT does not issue these parking spaces. You must contact your local municipality. Upon the request of a person with a disability, local authorities may erect a sign(s) on the highway as close as possible the individual's residence indicating that the place is reserved for the person with a disability.

Who is a Licensed Health Care Provider?

A health care provider is defined as a physician, chiropractor, podiatrist, physician’s assistant or a certified registered nurse practitioner licensed or certified to practice in this commonwealth or in a contiguous state. A health care provider may only certify disabilities within his or her scope of practice.

How to Apply for a Disabled Veteran Registration Plate

The form to obtain a Disabled Veteran Registration Plate is the MV-145V, “Application for Disabled Veteran, Severely Disabled Veteran Registration Plate or a Severely Disabled Veteran Motorcycle Decal.” Notarization and a fee of $11.00 are required. NOTE: No special parking privileges are associated with this registration plate.

Submit the above form to:

PennDOT Bureau of Motor Vehicles 1101 South Front Street Harrisburg, PA 17104

How to Apply for a Severely Disabled Veteran Registration Plate

The form to obtain a Severely Disabled Veteran Registration Plate is the MV-145V, "Application for Disabled Veteran, Severely Disabled Veteran Registration Plate or a Severely Disabled Veteran Motorcycle Decal.” Notarization and a fee of $11.00 are required. NOTE: In order to qualify for the free yearly registration, the applicant must have a 100 percent service-connected disability by a Veterans Administration regional office administrator ( Philadelphia and Pittsburgh ) or service unit in which the veteran served.