Disability Plates and Placards in Rhode Island

SUMMARY: Rhode Island Disability Placards & License Plates

If you are a resident of RI and you have a disability, you can apply for a handicapped parking placard from the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The DMV issues several types of placards, including temporary, permanent, and disabled veteran placards. Find information below about disability placards, such as how to apply, how to renew, and how to replace different kinds of handicapped parking placards.

Read below for more information about disability placards and plates in Rhode Island.

Types of Disability Parking Permits

A disability parking permit allows you to use parking places designated for those with disabilities.

The state of Rhode Island offers you a few different options for disability placards and license plates. You can apply for one of the following depending upon your condition and circumstances:

  • Temporary placard: Issued to people with disabilities expected to last 2 to 12 months.
  • Long-term disability placard: Issued to those with disabilities expected to last 1 to 3 years.
  • Permanent disability placard: issued to people with disabilities expected to last more than 3 years.
  • Disabled veterans placard: issued to veterans with a 100% disability related to military service.

Contact the Rhode Island DMV to check whether you are required to pay a fee for any of these placards.

RI Visitors with Disabilities

If you are visiting Rhode Island from out of state, you do not need to get a local placard as Rhode Island will recognize all disability placards and license plates from all other states.

Apply for a Disability Placard in RI

To get your disability placard, you must apply by mail.

Your will need to complete the New/Renewal Disability Parking Placard Application. It must be:

  • Completed in the name of the disabled person.
  • Certified by a licensed physician with a RI medical license.

Send the completed application to:

Division of Motor Vehicles
Disability Parking Placards Office
600 New London Ave
Cranston, RI 02920

You should allow up to 4 weeks for your application to be processed.

Disabled Veteran Placards

To apply for a disabled veteran parking placard in RI, you will need:

Mail your documents to the address on the form.

Renew a Rhode Island Handicap Placard

Your disability placard's expiration date will be based on your doctor's certification of your disability and the type of placard you have.

Temporary or Long-Term Placard

To renew a temporary or long-term disability placard, you will have to apply for a new placard by:

Be sure to put your current disability placard number on the renewal form also.

Mail your completed application to the address on the form.

Permanent Placard

To renew a permanent disability placard, complete and return the renewal form that the Rhode Island DMV sends you.

The DMV will then send you a renewal sticker to put on your current disability placard.

Replace a Rhode Island Disability Placard

If your Rhode Island disability placard is lost or stolen, you can request a replacement from the DMV either by mail or in person.

The RI DMV has different requirements based on the reason you need a replacement:

  • To replace a stolen placard, you will need:
    • To first file a Lost/Stolen Disability Placard Incident Report with your local police department.
    • To submit to the DMV:
      • A copy of the incident report.
      • Your RI driver's license or ID (or a copy if mailing).
  • To replace a lost disability placard, you will need to submit a completed Affidavit for Lost Parking Placard.
  • To replace a damaged handicap placard, you will need to submit just the placard itself.

Send or take the required documents to:

Disability Parking Placards Office
600 New London Ave
Cranston, RI 02920

You will be issued a new placard if you submit the request by mail.

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