Disability Plates and Placards in Indiana
SUMMARY: Indiana Disability Placards & Plates
If you are an Indiana resident with a qualifying disability, you can apply for a parking placard or license plate through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) to obtain access to handicap parking. Information about disability parking placards and license plates, handicap parking regulations, applying for a handicapped parking placard or plate, and renewing and replacing disabled parking permits.
Types of Disability Permits in Indiana
The IN BMV offers several types of permits for disability parking:
- A handicap placard is a visible sign that hangs from your rearview mirror. It is issued to those with permanent or temporary disabilities.
- A disability license plate replaces a standard plate. It is issued to those with permanent disabilities ONLY.
Both placards and plates require medical certification.
Disabled Parking Rules in Indiana
The handicapped parking placard or license plate allows you to park in areas or spaces designated for people with disabilities.
You are NOT allowed to park in areas that read “no parking or standing any time."
Visitors with Disabilities
If you are visiting Indiana from another state, you may use your out-of-state handicap parking placard or license plate in IN. You do not need to apply for an Indiana placard.
Apply for a Disability Permit in IN
You can apply for a disabled placard or license plate:
- By mail.
OR
- In person.
You will need to:
- Complete the Application For Disability Parking Placard Or Disability Plate (Form 42070).
- You must have a physician with a valid and unrestricted license certify your application.
- Pay applicable fees:
- Temporary placards: $5.
- Permanent placards: Free.
- License plates: Standard taxes and registration fees.
You'll then submit your application in person to an IN BMV branch office or by mail to the address on the form.
Disabled Veteran Plates
If you are a disabled veteran, you can apply for the Disabled Hoosier Veteran license plate. You'll need to visit an Indiana BMV office in person and submit:
- A completed Certification of Eligibility for Veteran License Plates (Form 32584), completed by the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Payment for the standard taxes and registration fees for the disabled veteran plate.
Renew an IN Disability Placard or Plate
All disability parking placards and license plates have an expiration date:
- Temporary placards are valid for 1 year.
- Permanent placards DO NOT expire and do not need to be renewed UNLESS your physician certifies that you no longer have a disability.
- License plates are valid as long as your vehicle registration is up to date.
If your temporary placard expires but you still need it, you must apply for a new one by submitting the following to the IN BMV either in person or by mail to the address on the form:
- A completed Application For Disability Parking Placard Or Disability Plate (Form 42070).
- You must have medical certification from your doctor.
- Payment for the temporary placard fee: $5
- Permanent placards: Free
To renew your handicap license plate, simply renew your vehicle registration.
Replace an Indiana Disability Permit
If your disability placard is lost, stolen, or damaged, you will need to:
- Complete the Application for Disability Parking Placard or Disability Plate (Form 42070).
- Have your physician complete the certification section.
- Pay the applicable fee:
- Temporary placards: $5.
- Permanent placards: Free.
NOTE: The expiration date for the replacement will be the same as the original.
To replace a license plate that is lost, stolen, or damaged, see our page about lost registration in Indiana.
