Allen D. Biehler, P.E., Secretary, Department of Transportation
Persons With Disability Parking Placard/Registration Plate
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 Persons with Disability registration plate or a Permanent Persons with Disability Parking Placard. Those whose disability is temporary may be eligible for a Temporary Persons with Disability Parking Placard.
A Persons with Disability Registration Plate is assigned to a vehicle record and therefore the disabled person must be listed on the vehicle record as a registrant.
A Persons 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.
Defining a “Persons with Disability Parking Placard”
A Persons 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 persons with disabilities.
Defining a “Persons with Disability Registration Plate”
A Persons 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 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 Persons with Disability Parking Placard or Persons 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 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:
Persons with Disability Permanent Parking Placard (valid for a period of 5 years)
Severely Disabled Veteran Persons with Disability Parking Placard (valid for 5 years)
Persons with Disability Temporary Parking Placard (valid up to 6 months)
Severely Disabled Veteran Motorcycle Decal (valid during motorcycle registration period)
Who is eligible?
A person whose disability listed below is certified by a health care physician. Eligibility includes a person who:
Is blind;
Does not have full use of an arm or both arms
Cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest;
Cannot walk without use of, or assistance from, a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair or other assistive device;
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 one liter or the arterial oxy tension is less than 60 MM/HG on room air at rest;
Uses portable oxygen;
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;
Is severely limited in his or her ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological or orthopedic condition;
Is in loco parentis of a person specified in one of the above mentioned disabilities
NOTE: Only one Persons with Disability Parking Placard may be issued to an individual. In addition, only one Persons 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 Persons with Disability Parking Placard. There are two different forms available to be completed in order to obtain a Persons with Disability or Severely Disabled Veteran Placard or Severely Disabled Veteran Motorcycle Decal. These applications require notarization.
Form MV-145A, “Persons 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 forms to:
PA Department of Transportation
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 68268
Harrisburg, PA 17106-8268
NOTE: Only one Persons 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 person with disabilities.
How to Apply for an Original Persons with Disability Registration Plate
The replacement fee of $7.50 is required. The form to obtain a Persons with Disability or Hearing Impaired Registration plate Or a Persons with Disability Motorcycle Plate is MV-145, “Persons with Disability or Hearing Impaired Registration Plate or a Persons with Disability Motorcycle Plate.” Notarization is required.
Submit the above forms to:
PA Department of Transportation
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, “Persons with Disability Parking Placard Application.”
NOTE: Temporary Persons with Disability Parking Placards may not be renewed. Temporary 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 6 months.
How to Renew a Persons with Disability Registration Plate or Persons with Disability Motorcycle Registration Plate
Persons 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 Persons with Disability Placard
You may apply for a replacement Persons with Disability Parking placard by completing Form MV-145A ,“Persons 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 Persons with Disability Plate
You may apply for a replacement Persons 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 $7.50.
How to Apply for a Replacement Persons 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 $7.50.
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 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 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.
