Disability Plates and Placards in Tennessee

SUMMARY: Tennessee Disability Plates & Placards

The Tennessee Department of Revenue (DOR) issues several types of placards and plates that allow you to park in designated handicapped parking places. Below you'll find the available types of disability parking placards and license plates, as well as how to apply for a handicapped parking permit, how to renew placards or plates, and how to replace a lost or stolen disabled permit.

Types of Tennessee Disability Permits

The TN DMV offers a number of different license plates, placards, and decals for people with disabilities:

  • Disability parking placards for drivers or passengers with:
    • Temporary disabilities.
    • Permanent disabilities.
  • License plates for:
    • Drivers with a permanent disability or hearing impairment.
    • Disabled veterans.
  • License plate decals for disabled drivers with:
    • Personalized plates.
    • Distinguished plates.

Your handicap parking license plate and placard can ONLY be used by you. You don't need to be the driver of the vehicle, but you must be at least a passenger.

Traveling with a Disability

If you are traveling to Tennessee from another state, you DO NOT need a TN disability placard or plate, as all U.S. states recognize the wheelchair emblems from all other states.

Alternatively, if you have a TN handicapped placard or plate, you can use it in any other U.S. state. Remember, you must follow each state's handicapped parking rules and regulations.

Apply for Disability Permits in TN

You can apply for your Tennessee disability placard or plate either by mail or in person.

For a standard disability license plate, placard, or decal, you must:

  • Complete the Application for Disabled Person License Plate, Placard and/or Decal (Form RV-F1310301).
  • Get the form certified and signed by one of the following:
    • Licensed medical doctor.
    • Physician's assistant or nurse practitioner in practice with a doctor.
    • Christian Science practitioner listed in the Christian Science Journal.
  • Pay the relevant fees:
    • Temporary placard: $10.
    • Permanent placard: $26.50. Comes free with a disability license plate, distinguished license plate, or if you are a registered vehicle owner.
    • License plate: $26.50.
    • Decal: Free.

NOTE: License plates are free if you use a wheelchair all of the time.

Send or take your application and fees to your local TN county clerk’s office.

Other Disability Plates

The TN DMV offers several other types of disability license plates:

  • Disabled veteran license plates for veterans with 100% service-related disability or certain other permanent disabilities.
    • This specialty plate will contain the words "Disabled Veteran", which will be recognized as the disability symbol for that plate.
  • Handicapped veteran license plates for veterans with less than 100% disability status.
    • Handicapped veteran plates DO NOT permit the use of disability parking.
  • Hearing impaired license plates or placards for those with a hearing impairment certified by a doctor.

For more information about these license plates, including application requirements and fees, contact your local county clerk’s office or the TN DMV at (888) 871-3171.

Renew TN Handicap Placards & Plates

Disability placards and license plates expire and must be renewed for continued use:

  • A temporary disabled placard is valid for 6 months.
  • A permanent disabled placard is valid for 2 years.
  • A disability license plate is valid for 1 year.

NOTE: A temporary disability placard can only be renewed 1 time.

To renew a temporary or permanent disability placard, you must:

To renew your disability license plate or license plate with disability decal, you must renew your vehicle registration. The renewal fee is $26.50.

You can renew your placard either by mail or in person to your local Tennessee county clerk.

Replace Disability Placards & Plates

If your disability placard has been lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement by:

Submit all materials and payment to your local Tennessee county clerk either by mail or in person.

If your license plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, see our Tennessee lost registration page for replacement information.

Forms

RV-F1310301
Application for Disabled Persons License Plate/Placard and/or Decal
Apply for Tennessee disability license plates, placards, AND/OR decals.
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