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 or temporary disability are eligible for a Person with Disability Parking Placard. The placard is issued for 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 “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 persons with disabilities.
What are the benefits?
Parking 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:
Person with Disability Permanent Parking Placard (valid for a period of 5 years)
Severely Disabled Veteran Person with Disability Parking Placard (valid for 5 years)
Person with Disability Temporary Parking Placard (valid up to 6 months)
Person with Disability Motorcycle Decal (valid during motorcycle registration period)
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
How to apply for an original placard
There are two different forms available to be completed in order to obtain a Person with Disability or Severely Disabled Veteran Placard or 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 forms to:
PA Department of Transportation
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 68268
Harrisburg, PA 17106
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.
NOTE: Temporary Person 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.
Motorcycle Decals are valid for the period of registration assigned to the motorcycle registration plate. When the motorcycle registration plate is renewed, the motorcycle decal is also renewed. NOTE: If the motorcycle registration plate is expired, the motorcycle decal is no longer valid.
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.
