Disability plate

A disability license plate includes an insignia indicating that the vehicle owner is legally allowed to park in spaces reserved for residents with a disability. The plate itself is permanent, but vehicle owners must renew the license plate tab every year, as is the case for all standard plates.

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.

• 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.

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 wheelchair user in their household 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, will still be due.

You can renew your disability plate by mail even without your renewal notice. To do so, submit the following information to our department in writing before your credential expires:

• Your first, middle, and last name
• Your Michigan driver’s license/ID number
• Your license plate number
• Your permanent address and alternative mailing address, if applicable
• Your phone number
• A money order or check made out to the State of Michigan for your renewal fee

To determine what you owe for your renewal, use our renewal fee calculator. Mail your information and payment to the following address:

Michigan Department of State
Internal Services Section
P.O. Box 30764
Lansing, MI 48918-8264