A Permanent Disabled Placard (placard) is a removable windshield placard that is to be hung from the rearview mirror of a parked vehicle in order to park in disabled parking spaces. The placard must be used only when a physically disabled person is the occupant of the motor vehicle at the time of parking or when the physically disabled person is being dropped off or picked up. The placard must not be hung from the rearview mirror when driving the vehicle. The validated receipt of the Application for Disabled Person Placard (Form 2769) must be in the vehicle when the placard is in use.

Who qualifies for a Permanent Disabled Placard?

Any physically disabled person, parent or guardian of a physically disabled person, a not-for-profit group or organization that transports more than one physically disabled person.

What is the definition of "physically disabled?"

Missouri law (301.142.1, RSMo) defines “physical disability” as listed below:

  • The person cannot ambulate or walk 50 feet without stopping to rest due to a severe and disabling arthritic, neurological, orthopedic condition, or other severe and disabling condition.
  • The person cannot ambulate or walk without the use of, or assistance from, a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair, or other assistive device.
  • The person is restricted by a respiratory or other disease to such an extent that the person’s forced respiratory expiratory volume for one second, when measured by spirometry, is less than one liter, or the arterial oxygen tension is less than 60 mm/hg on room air at rest.
  • The person uses portable oxygen.
  • The person has a cardiac condition to the extent that the person’s functional limitations are classified in severity as Class III or Class IV according to the standards set by the American Heart Association.
  • The person is blind as defined in Section 8.700, RSMo.

Who determines physical disability?

A licensed physician, chiropractor, podiatrist, physician's assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, physical therapist, or optometrist must certify the person is permanently "physically disabled" by completing a Physician's Statement for Disabled Person’s Plates/Placard (Form 1776).

How do I apply for a Permanent Disabled Placard?

In order to apply for a Permanent Disabled Placard, you must submit the following items:

The application may be submitted at any Missouri license office or by mail.

What are the fees and expiration cycle for a Permanent Disabled Placard?

There is no fee required to obtain a Permanent Disabled Placard, and the placard expires on September 30th of the fourth year from which the placard was issued.

Effective August 28, 2018, a new Physician's Statement for Disabled Person’s Plates/Placard (Form 1776) is required every eight years, and not four years, as previously required.

What are the penalties for misuse, fraudulent application, renewal, procurement, or use of a Permanent Disabled Placard?

Displaying a Permanent Disabled Placard and parking in a disabled parking space by a person not transporting the individual to whom the placard was issued is an infraction punishable by a fine of not less than $50 or more than $300.

Fraudulent application, renewal, procurement, or use of a Permanent Disabled Placard is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment for a period not to exceed one year.

How do I apply for a replacement Permanent Disabled Placard?

If your Permanent Disabled Placard has been lost, stolen, mutilated, destroyed, or was never received, you may apply for a replacement Permanent Disabled Placard. Submit a notarized Application for Disabled Person Placard (Form 2769) and a copy of your latest validated receipt for the original placard at any Missouri license office or by mail.

NOTE: If you are unable to locate your latest validated receipt for the original placard, you may be required to have your physician complete a new Physician's Statement for Disabled Person's Plates/Placard (Form 1776) and submit it with your application.

There is no fee for a replacement Permanent Disabled Placard.

I am over 75 years old. Do I need a Physician's Statement?

For an initial application for a Permanent Disabled Placard, all applicants (regardless of age) are required to submit a Physician's Statement for Disabled Person's Plates/Placard (Form 1776). However, persons 75 years of age and over are not required to submit a physician's statement for renewal of a Permanent Disabled Placard.

I am a disabled veteran. Do I need a Physician's Statement?

For an initial application for a Permanent Disabled Placard, all applicants are required to submit a Physician's Statement for Disabled Person's Plates/Placard (Form 1776). However, disabled veterans are not required to submit a physician's statement for renewal of a Permanent Disabled Placard.

How do I renew my Permanent Disabled Placard?

A renewal notice will be mailed every four years to your most current address on record for the Disabled Placard.

To obtain information regarding your renewal, you may visit the Department's Renewal Requirements Inquiry system.

  • Starting August 28, 2018, a new Physician’s Statement for Disabled Person’s Plates/Placards (Form 1776) is required every eight years unless you are exempt due to age or veteran status. If you have previously submitted a physician’s statement in the year:
    • 2014, a new physician’s statement is not required until the year 2022;
    • 2015, a new physician’s statement is not required until the year 2023;
    • 2016, a new physician’s statement is not required until the year 2024;
    • 2017, a new physician’s statement is not required until the year 2025; or
    • 2018, a new physician’s statement is not required until the year 2026.
  • You must continue to renew your Disabled Placard every four years, regardless if a physician’s statement is required or not.
  • If you are an individual 75 years of age or over or a disabled veteran, a physician's statement is not required for your renewal. Simply mark the appropriate box on your renewal form and sign where indicated, then submit the renewal notice at any Missouri license office, by mail, or by phone at 573-751-1957 Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Your local license office may also provide phone-in renewal services. Visit https://dor.mo.gov/license-office-locator/ for more information.
  • If a physician's statement is required for your renewal, you must have your physician complete a new Physician's Statement for Disabled Person's Plates/Placard (Form 1776). You must then sign the renewal form where indicated and submit the renewal notice and Form 1776 at any Missouri license office, by mail, or by phone at 573-751-1957 Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Your local license office may also provide phone-in renewal services. Visit https://dor.mo.gov/license-office-locator/ for more information.

Are there other benefits for Missourians with disabilities?

Please visit the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) FAQs on our website for information on financial benefits that are available for Missourians with disabilities.

 

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