How to Fill Out Texas Form VTR-214 for a Disability Parking Placard

Texas Form VTR-214 is the application you use to get a disability parking placard or disability license plates from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. You fill out your personal information on page one, have a licensed medical professional certify your disability on page two, and take or mail the completed form to your county tax assessor-collector’s office. A permanent placard is free and lasts four years; a temporary placard costs $5 and expires within six months.¹

Who Qualifies

Texas recognizes two broad categories of qualifying disability: legal blindness, or a mobility problem that substantially impairs your ability to walk. The medical professional signing your form has to confirm that your condition meets this standard. Common qualifying conditions include paralysis, lung disease, the need for portable oxygen, reliance on a brace, cane, crutches, or wheelchair, and cardiac conditions severe enough to restrict walking.

Your condition is classified as either permanent or temporary. A permanent disability is one not expected to improve, such as chronic lung disease or long-term paralysis. A temporary disability is expected to resolve, often after surgery or a short-term injury. That classification determines the color of your placard, the fee, and what renewal looks like.

Page One: Your Information

Download the form from the TxDMV website or pick up a copy at any county tax assessor-collector’s office.² Page one asks for your full legal name, mailing address, and your Texas driver’s license or state ID number.¹ Match your state-issued ID exactly. Discrepancies are the fastest way to get the form returned.

If you want disability license plates along with (or instead of) a placard, fill in the vehicle identification number (VIN), your current Texas plate number, and the vehicle’s year and make. Leave the vehicle section blank if you only want a placard.¹

Page Two: The Medical Certification

You do not fill out page two yourself. A licensed medical professional has to complete and sign it. Texas accepts certifications from a physician, podiatrist, optometrist, physician assistant, or advanced practice nurse who meets at least one of the following:

Licensed in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, or Oklahoma
Practicing at a U.S. military installation in Texas
Practicing in a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospital or health facility

The provider’s statement must say whether your disability is permanent or temporary and include their medical license number. If the certification is written on page two of the form itself, the medical professional’s signature must be notarized.¹

There is a simpler alternative. You can attach an original prescription from your provider in place of the page-two statement. The prescription needs your name, the provider’s signature, and a note saying whether the disability is permanent or temporary. When you submit a prescription, the notarization requirement does not apply.¹

Where to Submit It and What It Costs

Take or send the completed form to the tax assessor-collector’s office in the county where you live or where you’re receiving medical treatment.¹ Going in person is the cleanest option, because the clerk can flag errors on the spot.

You can also mail it. Call the county tax office first to confirm the mailing address and any local instructions. Include a copy of your photo ID. If you owe a fee, pay by personal check, money order, or cashier’s check. Do not mail cash.¹

A permanent placard carries a blue shield with the white International Symbol of Accessibility and is free. A temporary placard carries a red shield and costs $5.³¹ If you don’t have disability plates, you can hold up to two placards. If you do have disability plates, you can hold one placard in addition to them.

Renewal and Replacement

A permanent placard issued to a Texas resident is valid for four years. When it expires, you request a replacement from your county tax office, and you do not need a new medical certification. The statute says permanent placards shall be replaced or renewed on request.⁴

A temporary placard expires after six months or the period set by your physician, whichever is shorter.² If your condition hasn’t resolved, you need to submit a new VTR-214 with a fresh medical certification.⁴

For a lost or stolen placard, bring a copy of the VTR-214 you originally submitted to your county tax office. If you don’t have a copy and the office can’t verify your placard in its records, you’ll have to start over with a new application and medical certification.² Keep a photocopy of your submitted form.

Penalties for Misuse

Parking in a designated accessible space without a valid placard or disability plates is a misdemeanor carrying a fine of $500 to $750 for a first offense. The same penalty applies to blocking an access aisle, curb ramp, or other architectural feature designed for people with disabilities.⁵

Lending your placard to someone who uses it illegally is a separate offense under the same statute, with enhanced penalties for repeat or more serious misuse that can reach a $1,250 fine and 50 hours of community service. The registered owner of the vehicle is presumed to have committed the offense, so letting someone else park with your placard displayed while you aren’t present creates real legal exposure.⁵

1
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard and/or License Plate
2
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Disabled Parking, Placards and Plates
3
Office of the Texas Governor. Accessible Parking
4
State of Texas. Texas Transportation Code Section 681-004 – Issuance of Parking Placard; Expiration
5
State of Texas. Texas Transportation Code Section 681-011 – Offenses; Presumption