Disability parking placard

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

• Who qualifies for a disability license plate or parking placard?

  Michigan law says:  
  
  A person with a disability who is determined by a physician, a physician assistant, or an optometrist to have 1 or more of the following physical characteristics: 
  
  (a) Blindness as determined by an optometrist, a physician, or a physician assistant. 
  
  (b) Inability to walk more than 200 feet without having to stop and rest. 
  
  (c) Inability to do both of the following: 

  (i) Use 1 or both legs or feet. 
  
  (ii) Walk without the use of a wheelchair, walker, crutch, brace, prosthetic, or other device, or without the 
  
  assistance of another person. 

  (d) A lung disease from which the person's forced expiratory volume for 1 second, when measured by 
  
  spirometry, is less than 1 liter, or from which the person's arterial oxygen tension is less than 60 mm/hg of 
  
  room air at rest. 

  (e) A cardiovascular condition that causes the person to measure between 3 and 4 on the New York heart 

  classification scale, or that renders the person incapable of meeting a minimum standard for cardiovascular 

  health that is established by the American heart association and approved by the department of public health. 

  (f) An arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition that severely limits the person's ability to walk. 

  (g) The persistent reliance upon an oxygen source other than ordinary air. 

• How much does it cost for a disability plate or placard?

  Disability Placards:  

  • First placard is free 
  • Renewal is free
  • $10 to replace lost placard  

  Disability license plate:  

  • Regular plate fee for your vehicle. 
  • Passenger vehicle, pickup, or van with permanent wheelchair lift or permanent 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 registration fee. Additional fees for personalized and the plate or for purchasing and renewing a fundraising version, are excluded from the discount). 
• How long is my placard good for?
  • Permanent blue placards valid four years.  
  • Temporary red placards valid 1 to 6 months.  
  • Green placards issued to organizations are valid for four years.
• How do I renew a disability license plate or parking placard?

  Disability plates:  

  • Renew online, self-service stations, by mail, in person.  
  • Pay by card, cash, or check.
  • Show proof of Michigan no-fault insurance.  

  Renew permanent blue placard: 

  • Renew up to 45 days before expiration. 
  • Renew online, Go to Quick Renewal/Replace and enter: 
  • The placard number 
  • Expiration date on the placard 
  • Email address 
  • Renew by mail,
  • or at the office, 
  • or submitting a request online at Michigan.gov/ContactSOS 

  Renew temporary red placard: 

  • Have license medical professional complete the application. Complete your part of the application and mail it or bring it to the Secretary of State. 
• Can I park for free with a disability parking placard?

  No.   
  
  To park for free, you need:  

  • A yellow free-parking sticker on your placard and a valid driver’s license. 

  How to get free parking:   

  • A licensed medical professional completes Part 3 the BFS-108 placard application. 

  Remember: Privately owned parking lots and garages are not required to provide free parking. 

• Can I have both a disability license plate and parking placard?

  Yes, you can have both as the same time. Use your placard when you are traveling in a vehicle without a disability plate.  
• Can anyone driving a vehicle with a disability license plate or parking placard use a disability parking space?

  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.