On behalf of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), which regulates parking in the District, DC DMV issues three types of disability placards or permits, one-week permits, temporary placards, and long-term placards, all described below.

One-Week Permits

You can get a one-week disability permit if you only require the placard for a week or less (or you have a visitor who requires it), you have a short-term disability, or your vehicle with disability tags is being repaired. For a one-week permit, you do not need a doctor’s certification. The one-week permit is not renewable within a one-year period.

Temporary Placards

You can get a temporary disability placard if you have a physical condition that substantially impairs your mobility that is expected to last no longer than 8 years. Your medical practitioner must certify the application and indicate the expected length of your disability. If you find you need your disabled privileges longer, you must submit a new application with a medical practitioner's certification.

Long-Term Placards

You can get a long-term disability if you have a long-term disability. The list of qualifying disabilities is included on the application for the placard. You do not need a medical practitioner's certification if you have an obvious missing lower extremity or you use a motorized wheelchair.

The long-term placard is valid up to 8 years to coincide with the expiration of your driver license or identification card. To renew it, you must submit a new application with a medical practitioner's certification.

Temporary and long-term placards expire on the last day of the month and year indicated on the placard.

Placards or permits should be hung from the rearview mirror while the vehicle is parked in a space authorized for the disabled and must be displayed and readable from the front windshield. They must be removed from the rearview mirror while the vehicle is in motion.

You can apply online, by mail, or in person for a disability placard or permit. You will have to fill out the DC DMV application for disability parking placard or tags, or the application for a one-week disability permit, which you can print from the links below or get at any DC DMV service center:

• Application for Disability Parking Placard or Tags
• One-Week Temporary Disability Parking Permit Application

The application includes a portion that must be completed by your medical practitioner if you are applying for a temporary or long-term disability placard, except as otherwise indicated on the form. No medical practitioner certification is required for the one-week permit.

Note: You cannot certify your own disability—a missing lower extremity or dependence on a motorized wheelchair, for instance—if you apply for a placard or permit online. All temporary and long-term disability placards applied for online must have a medical practitioner’s certification.

You can also mail your application to:

DC DMV
ATTN: Disability Services
PO Box 90120
Washington, DC 20090

Fax it to (202) 673-9908. Your Disability Parking Placard or Permit will be processed within 7–10 business days from receipt. Please allow up to 15 business days to receive your product before contacting DC DMV.

You can also bring it to any DC DMV service center. You may send someone in your place, provided that person brings a copy of your DC DMV driver license or identification card.

If your request is approved, you may be issued a one-week permit, temporary placard, or long-term placard. By law, one placard and one set of vehicle tags may be issued for each applicant who is a DC resident.

There is no charge for a disability placard or permit. If you mailed, faxed, or submitted your application online, DC DMV will mail the parking placard or permit to you.