How to Apply for a Handicap Parking Permit in Florida

To apply for a handicap parking permit in Florida, complete form HSMV 83039, have a licensed medical professional certify your qualifying condition, and submit the signed application to your county tax collector’s office or license plate agency. You can file by mail, by fax, or in person. There is no online option. A permanent placard is free; a temporary one costs $15.

Who Qualifies

Florida issues permits to people whose mobility is limited enough that they cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest. The state recognizes these qualifying conditions:

Permanent wheelchair use.
Orthopedic, neurological, or arthritic conditions that severely limit walking.
Lung disease with forced expiratory volume under one liter, or arterial oxygen at rest below 60 mm/hg on room air.
Cardiac condition rated Class III or Class IV under American Heart Association standards.
Legal blindness.

A licensed medical professional has to certify the condition. Florida accepts certification from physicians (MDs and DOs), chiropractors, podiatrists, optometrists, advanced practice registered nurses working under a physician’s protocol, and physician assistants.¹ An out-of-state physician can also certify if they provide proof of licensure and sign a form confirming they understand Florida’s eligibility rules.

Fill Out Form HSMV 83039

There is one form: HSMV 83039, “Application for Disabled Person Parking Permit.” Download it from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) website or pick one up at a tax collector’s office or license plate agency.²

You complete the top section: personal information, your Florida driver’s license or state ID number, and whether you want a permanent or temporary permit. If a disability keeps you from physically visiting a service center to obtain a driver’s license or ID card, a physician can sign an exemption on form HSMV 83146 to waive that requirement.

Your certifying practitioner fills in the medical section, describes the nature of the disability, and signs with their license number and state of issuance. The signature must be dated within 12 months of the day you submit the application. For a temporary permit, the practitioner also states how long the disability is expected to last, up to a six-month maximum.³

How to Submit the Application

Send or bring the completed form to the tax collector’s office or license plate agency in the county where you live. You have three options:

In person. Bring the original signed form. Some offices will not accept photocopies.
By mail. Send the completed form and any applicable fee to your county tax collector or license plate agency.
By fax. Your certifying medical authority can fax the form directly to the office on your behalf.

Florida does not offer online submission. Once approved, the permit is mailed to you.⁴

Permanent, Temporary, and Secondary Permits

A permanent permit covers long-term impairments and legal blindness. It is valid for four years, expires on your birthday, and is free — including at renewal.²

A temporary permit lasts up to six months, as specified by the practitioner, and costs $15. It cannot be renewed. If your condition persists, submit a new application; you will not owe another $15 if you apply within 12 months of the original payment.¹

A second placard is available if you are quadriplegic or frequently travel by plane, bus, train, or boat. The idea is that you leave one permit with your parked car and carry the other to your destination. Indicate on the application that you qualify. The secondary permit expires on the same date as the primary, regardless of when it was issued, and no one may hold more than two permits at a time.

License Plate Instead of a Placard

If you qualify for a permanent permit, you can request a disabled parking license plate rather than a hanging placard, or hold both. Eligibility is the same, the plate is valid for four years, and it renews on your birthday. Apply using the same form (HSMV 83039) at a motor vehicle service center.³

Renewing or Replacing a Permit

FLHSMV sends a renewal notice before your permit expires. To renew, submit a fresh HSMV 83039 signed by a certifying practitioner within the past 12 months. Renewal for a permanent permit is free, and you can file by mail, fax, or in person.

If your permit is lost or stolen, you need two forms: HSMV 83039 (again signed within the past 12 months) and HSMV 83146, the replacement application. Bring both to a motor vehicle service center.³

If You Are Moving to Florida

Florida recognizes disabled parking permits from other states, U.S. districts, and foreign countries, provided the issuing jurisdiction also recognizes Florida permits and the permit displays the international symbol of accessibility. Once you become a Florida resident and are required to hold a Florida driver’s license or vehicle registration, that out-of-state permit is no longer valid, and you need to apply for a Florida one.⁵

Penalties for False Information or Misuse

Accuracy on the application matters. Knowingly providing false information on the application or medical certification is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to $1,000 in fines and up to one year in jail. A repeat offense for fraudulent use can bar you from applying for a new permit for four years.¹ Using someone else’s permit when they are not in the vehicle is a second-degree misdemeanor, with penalties of up to a $500 fine or 60 days in jail.⁶

1
Florida Legislature. Florida Statutes 320.0848
2
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Permanent Disabled Person Parking Permits
3
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Disabled Person Parking Permits
4
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. HSMV Form 83039
5
Florida Public Law. Florida Statutes 316.1958
6
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Frequently Asked Questions