Disability parking placard

Individuals who are blind or who have a disability that restricts their ability to walk may qualify for a disability license plate or parking placard. Restrictions on walking are defined as:

• The inability to walk more than 200 feet without having to stop and rest.
• Use of a wheelchair, walker, crutch, brace or other ambulatory aid.
• A lung disease with deterioration in expiratory volume. (Review application.)
• A cardiovascular condition. (Review application.)
• An arthritic, neurological or orthopedic condition that severely limits the ability to walk.
• Reliance on oxygen sources other than ordinary air.

Organizations that transport people with disabilities may apply for a green disability parking placard that is valid for four years.

There is no fee for an original temporary or permanent disability parking placard or for renewing a permanent placard.

If your disability placard is lost or stolen, it may be replaced for $10 at a Secretary of State office or by submitting a request by mail or fax.

Applicants for a disability license plate pay only the standard annual vehicle registration fee. A passenger vehicle, pickup, or van equipped with either permanently installed wheelchair lift equipment or permanently installed hand controls and owned by a person who uses a wheelchair or transports a member of their household who uses a wheelchair is eligible for a 50 percent reduction in the standard annual registration fee (additional service fees, such as those for personalizing the plate or for purchasing and renewing a fundraising version, are excluded from the discount).

Vans used for commercial purposes are not eligible for the reduction.

Permanent disability parking placards are valid for four years, expiring on the applicant's birthday. You must have a disability in which there is a medical expectation that it will not improve to be issued a permanent disability placard. Permanent placards may be renewed up to 45 days before their expiration date or up to six months early if the applicant will be out of state during the renewal period or has other good reason for renewing early. There is no renewal fee. A physician's statement is not required.

Temporary disability placards are valid from one to six months and are issued when there is a medical expectation that the disability will improve. If the medical condition has not improved when the placard expires, a new application, including your medical professional's authorization, must be submitted to get a new temporary placard.

Disability placards (green) for organizations that transport people with disabilities are valid for four years.

Renewing a disability license plate

Renewing a disability license plate is similar to renewing other types of plates. Disability plates can be renewed by mail or online. A doctor's statement is not required with renewals.

Regular renewal fees apply.  Proof of Michigan no-fault insurance is required unless your plate renewal notice shows a PIN indicating your insurance company has reported your vehicle as being insured.

If the person who qualified for the disability plate is no longer living, the disability plate must be replaced at time of renewal with a standard plate.

 

Renewing a permanent disability parking placard

A permanent disability parking placard may be renewed up to 45 days before the expiration date.

Convenient options are offered for renewing a permanent disability parking placard with the new placard being issued by mail. Renew by submitting a request at Michigan.gov/ContactSOS, by telephone at 888-SOS-MICH (888-767-6424), or by mail to:

Michigan Department of State
PO Box 30764
Lansing MI 48909-8264

Please make sure to include your expiring permit number and your name, address and a daytime phone number with your renewal request.

Temporary disability parking placard

Temporary disability parking placards cannot be renewed. A new application is required if the medical condition has not improved.

• You must have a yellow free-parking sticker on your permanent parking placard to park for free. To obtain a free-parking sticker, you must have a valid Michigan driver’s license and be unable to do one or more of the following:
  • Insert coins or tokens in a parking meter or accept a ticket from a parking lot machine because of a lack of fine motor control of both hands.
  • Reach above your head to a height of 42 inches from the ground, because of lack of finger, hand, or upper extremity strength or mobility.
  • Approach a parking meter because of the use of a wheelchair or other ambulatory device.
  • Walk more than 20 feet because of an orthopedic, cardiovascular, or lung condition in which the degree of debilitation is so severe that it almost completely impedes your ability to walk.
    
    
• A licensed medical professional must certify in Part 3 of your permanent disability parking placard application that you meet the requirements for free parking. Organizations aren’t eligible for free parking.
  
  
• Privately owned parking lots and garages aren’t required to provide free parking.

Yes, you can have a disability license plate and a parking placard at the same time. The placard may be used during those times when you are traveling in a vehicle without a disability license plate.

State law requires that a disability parking spot must only be used when the person with a disability is either driving or being transported in the vehicle.

We recommend renewing your permanent disability parking placard online or by mail. You also can renew your placard by visiting one of our offices or by calling 888-SOS-MICH (888-767-6424).