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Disabled Person Parking Permit Placards and Decals

The Disabled Person Parking Permit placard or decal you received allows you to park in designated Disabled Persons parking spaces.   

Disabled Person Parking Permit placards are:
  • For use by and belong to the individual to whom DMV issues the permit regardless of age; not a vehicle owner or driver. 
  • Not associated with a particular vehicle.
  • Only for use when the person with the disability is traveling in the vehicle.
Designated Disabled Person parking spaces may:
  • Be on either public or private property, and  
  • Have a sign, logo, or both.    
Your placard will be honored anywhere, nationally or internationally. 

Unlawful use of a designated Disabled Person parking space can result in citations and fines:
  • A first offense is a Class C violation with fines ranging from $165 to $500 for an individual or $1,000 for a corporation.
  • Second and subsequent offenses are a Class A violation with fines ranging from $440 to $2,000 for an individual or $4,000 for a corporation.

  • Must be displayed so that the expiration date, date punches and permit number are fully visible for law enforcement purposes.
  • ​Allow legal parking in any designated Disabled Person parking space when displayed correctly (see above). A designated parking space may have a sign, logo, or both.
  • Are registered to the disabled person by their driver's license or identification card number.  The permit and placard or decal belongs to the disabled person and not the vehicle’s owner. 
  • May be used in any vehicle the disabled person occupies.  It must be clearly visible from the outside of the vehicle when in use.  
  • Must be removed from the mirror prior to departing the parking space, to be used safely.  Store the placard out of the sun for longest placard life.

  • Must be attached to the vehicle for which the decal was issued: a motorcycle, golf cart or similar vehicle.  
  • Must be attached in one of two locations: 
    • ​The back of the left rearview mirror, or 
    • The front fender so that the permit number and expiration date are visible from the front of the vehicle. 

  • Park only in qualifying designated spaces (see Which placard can be used with which sign? below).  Disabled parking laws can be enforced 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
  • Parking patrols may issue a citation if they can’t read the expiration date or permit number on your placard.  If reading the date or number is difficult, request a replacement placard.
  • Parking fees are local.  To learn about fees and how local authorities apply them, check with the authority in the destination where you will be parking.
  • A designated Disabled Person parking space may not, by law, be blocked for any reason including:
    • All or part of any vehicle obstructing the space to include the access aisle – the striped area next to or between disabled parking spaces.  The access aisle enables use of a lift, ramp, or other access device.
    • Vehicles, signs, shopping carts, fences, promotion displays, etc.​
    Citations and fines may result when a designated space is blocked.​
  • DO NOT mark over faded dates; that makes the placard invalid. When placards become difficult to read, a replacement placard must be obtained. Your old placard must be turned in to DMV upon receiving a new one. 

This sign allows parking by anyone with any of these valid Disabled Person Parking Permit placard or decals:


This sign allows parking only by those placard holders who need a wider access aisle for special transport vehicles equipped with a lift:

          
*Citation for illegal use: parking in a Van Accessible space when not a qualified user can result in citation for a Class C violation when a first offense with corresponding fines of $165 to 500 for an individual and $1,000 for a corporation.  Second and subsequent offenses can result in citation for a Class A violation with corresponding fines of $440 to $2,000 for an individual or $4,000 for a corporation.

This sign allows parking only by those placard holders who have a valid wheelchair user permit, where the placard includes "Wheelchair User" and a large white "W":


​*Citation for illegal use: parking in a Wheelchair User Only space when not a qualified user can result in citation for a Class C violation when a first offense with corresponding fines of $165 to $500 for an individual and $1,000 for a corporation.  Second and subsequent offenses can result in citation for a Class A violation with corresponding fines of $440 to $2,000 for an individual or $4,000 for a corporation.

​​Is my placard registered to my vehicle?
NO, it is registered to you.

May I use my placard in another state?
YES

​May I park in a disabled person parking space, display my placard, enter a building and leave someone that is riding with me (disabled or not) in my vehicle while I am gone?
YES

May my spouse/friend use my placard if they are disabled?
NO

If I am disabled, may I use the placard of another disabled person?
NO

Is it unlawful to block a disabled parking space or access aisle?
YES

Can I park in a disabled space without my placard for just a minute while I run into the building?
NO, You must have your placard.

If I move to Oregon, may I use my placard  from my other state until it expires?
NO, you must go to the DMV to get an Oregon permit and placard.  You may use it temporarily while awaiting the Oregon permit and placard. 

If I park in a disabled space in a privately owned parking lot, do I need to display my placard?
YES, anywhere open to the public is subject to Oregon laws.

Do I have to hang my placard on my rear view mirror?
Placard information must be visible from the outside of the vehicle including: the expiration date, date punches and permit number.   While hanging the placard from the mirror is the most common solution, not all placards will fit on the rearview.  If that is the case, an online search for “Disabled Parking Permit Holder” will show alternative solutions some of which meet display requirements.​

Are there any limitations for parking in a disabled space?
YES, placards cannot be used to park legally  where:
  • Parking is only permitted for 30 minutes or less;
  • No parking is allowed;
  • No late evening or overnight parking is allowed; or
  • Parking is reserved for special types of vehicles.
​What if my expiration date is faded and hard to read or my placard is mutilated?
Obtain a new placard from DMV.  NEVER write on your placard; that makes it invalid.

May I park in a wheelchair only parking spot if I have a regular disabled placard?
NO, you must obtain a wheelchair only permit and placard provided by DMV to park in a wheelchair only space.

For more, please see the Frequently Asked Questions section of the Disabled Person Parking Permits​ webpage. 

  • ​​DMV issues one placard per individual ​permit.   
  • Your Disabled Person Parking Permit placard is for your use only.  Each person with a disability should obtain their own permit and placard.  
  • DMV issues a Family Permit and placard(s) for families with more than one disabled family member or where two or more households are caring for the same disabled individual(s).​
  • Wheelchair users may be eligible for a WHEELCHAIR USER ONLY permit and placard allowing use in a WHEELCHAIR USER ONLY space as well as any other regular Disabled Person  parking space.
  • When you need an additional placard for travel purposes ‒ to park in a designated Disabled Person parking space while traveling out of your area in addition to a placard to use during your travels ‒ DMV does issue Temporary Duplicate placards good for 120 days.  Submit a completed ​Disabled Person Parking Permit Placard application​ with the box for Temporary Travel marked.  Note: You do not need the Certificate of Disability to request a Temporary Duplicate. 
  • If you have any questions regarding your permit or placard, call or visit any local DMV office. 
  • See the Disabled Person Parking Permits webpage​ for more information.