To get a handicap placard in Florida, have a licensed medical professional certify your disability on Form HSMV 83039 and submit the completed application to your local tax collector’s office or license plate agency. A permanent placard is free and lasts four years; a temporary placard costs $15 and lasts up to six months.
Check That You Qualify
Florida ties eligibility to conditions that keep you from walking 200 feet without stopping to rest. You qualify if you cannot walk without a brace, cane, crutch, prosthetic, or another person’s help; if you use a wheelchair full-time; if you have severely restricted lung function or need portable oxygen; if you have Class III or Class IV heart disease; if an orthopedic, neurological, or arthritic condition severely limits your walking; or if you are legally blind.1Justia Law. Florida Code 320.0848 – Persons Who Have Disabilities
The certification has to come from a licensed practitioner. Florida accepts physicians (including osteopathic and chiropractic doctors), podiatrists, optometrists (for blindness only), advanced practice registered nurses working under a physician’s protocol, and physician assistants.2Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Disabled Person Parking Permits – General Information An out-of-state physician can also certify you, as long as the application includes documentation of their licensure in the other state.
Decide Which Placard You Need
The choice hinges on how long your condition will last.
Permanent Placard
A permanent placard is a hanging tag you move between vehicles. It is for long-term mobility impairments or legal blindness, lasts four years, and expires on your birthday. There is no fee.3Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Permanent Disabled Person Parking Permits
Temporary Placard
A temporary placard is for short-term impairments and is valid for up to six months, with the exact length set by the certifying medical professional. The fee is $15. If your condition lasts beyond six months, apply again with a new form; no additional fee is charged if you apply within 12 months of the first permit’s issuance.2Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Disabled Person Parking Permits – General Information
If you would rather have accessibility built into a vehicle you own, Florida also offers a wheelchair license plate that fills the same role as a placard for long-term impairments. It costs $28 plus registration and stays with that specific vehicle.4Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Wheelchair License Plate
Fill Out Form HSMV 83039
Every placard uses the same application: HSMV 83039, the Application for Disabled Person Parking Permit.5Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Application for Disabled Person Parking Permit HSMV 83039 You can download it from the FLHSMV website or pick one up at your local tax collector’s office or license plate agency. It has two parts.
Your section asks for personal details and your Florida driver’s license or state ID number. If your disability is severe enough that visiting an office to obtain a Florida ID is not possible, the certifying physician can note that on the form, and the ID requirement is waived.
The medical certification is completed by your qualifying practitioner. They check the applicable disability, sign, and enter their license number and state of licensure. Their signature must be dated within 12 months of when you submit the application.
Submit the Application
You have several ways to get the completed form to Florida. Bring the original or a copy to your local tax collector’s office or license plate agency in person. Mail it to the same office. The certifying medical professional can also fax the signed form directly to your local office on your behalf.5Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Application for Disabled Person Parking Permit HSMV 83039
The form does not have to be the original ink-signed copy. A photocopy is accepted as long as the certifying authority’s signature is visible. Bringing or faxing the original is still the fastest route, since it leaves less room for questions about the document.
What It Costs and How Long It Lasts
The permanent placard is free and good for four years, expiring on your birthday. To renew, submit a fresh Form HSMV 83039 with a new medical certification signed within the previous 12 months, plus a copy of the registration for your expiring permit. The renewal itself is also free.3Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Permanent Disabled Person Parking Permits
The temporary placard costs $15 and lasts up to six months. It is not renewed in the usual sense; if you still need one, you file a new application.2Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Disabled Person Parking Permits – General Information
If You Are a Disabled Veteran
Veterans with a 100-percent service-connected disability rating qualify for a “DV” license plate at no charge under a separate statute. The DV plate doubles as a disabled parking permit and exempts the holder from paying parking meter fees statewide.6Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Frequently Asked Questions
Veterans who already hold a disabled parking permit and are renewing or replacing it can skip the standard medical certification. In its place, submit a VA Form Letter 27-333 (or its equivalent) issued within the past 12 months.5Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Application for Disabled Person Parking Permit HSMV 83039
Replacing a Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Placard
If your placard is lost, stolen, or damaged, submit Form HSMV 83039 to your local tax collector’s office or license plate agency. A $10 replacement fee applies.3Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Permanent Disabled Person Parking Permits If the permit was stolen, file a report with local law enforcement before requesting the replacement.