How to Get a Temporary Handicap Parking Permit in CT

To get a temporary handicap parking permit in Connecticut, have a licensed healthcare provider complete the medical certification on Form B-225T, then submit the application with a $5 fee to the Connecticut DMV online, in person, or by mail.¹ The placard is valid for up to six months and belongs to you, not to a specific vehicle.

Who Qualifies

Your condition has to limit your ability to walk and be expected to resolve within six months. If your provider thinks the limitation will last longer, you should apply for a renewable placard instead, which uses a different form and has no fee.¹

The qualifying scenarios on the state application are:²

You cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest.
You need a brace, cane, crutch, or wheelchair during recovery.
You require portable oxygen or have a lung condition that severely restricts mobility.
You have a heart condition classified as Class III or Class IV under American Heart Association standards.

Who Can Sign the Medical Certification

Part B of Form B-225T has to be completed and signed by one of the following:³

A licensed physician
A physician assistant
An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)
A VA psychiatrist, but only for veterans with service-connected PTSD certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

The provider signs under penalty of false statement, so expect a genuine evaluation rather than a quick signature. Connecticut does not accept certifications from chiropractors or podiatrists.

Fill Out Form B-225T and Pay the $5 Fee

Form B-225T is the dedicated application for temporary placards. Part A is your personal information and Part B is the medical certification your provider completes.³ The fee is $5.¹

Three Ways to Submit the Application

Online. Use the CT DMV’s online portal and upload the signed medical certification with the rest of the application.⁴
In person. Bring the completed form and payment to any DMV branch. This is the fastest route if you need the placard right away.
By mail. Send the form and payment to CT DMV, Customer Service – Accessible Parking Permit, 60 State Street, Wethersfield, CT 06161-2525. Mailed applications take longer, so plan ahead.

How Long the Placard Lasts and What to Do When It Expires

A temporary placard is valid for up to six months from the date of issuance, and there is no renewal process.¹ If your condition hasn’t resolved, you have two choices: submit a brand-new B-225T with a fresh medical certification, or ask your provider whether the condition now qualifies as long-term and warrants the renewable placard instead.

Using an expired temporary placard in an accessible space is parking illegally. Mark the expiration date and start the reapplication a few weeks early if you still need the accommodation.

Displaying and Using the Placard

Connecticut’s temporary placard has a red background, which distinguishes it from the blue renewable placard.² Hang it from the rearview mirror when parked, or place it on the dashboard if there’s no mirror. Remove it before driving so it doesn’t block your view.

The placard belongs to you, not the car. It works in any vehicle you are riding in, but the vehicle has to actually be carrying you when it parks in an accessible space. Lending it to someone who parks without you is a violation.

One benefit worth knowing about: with the placard displayed, you can park at metered spaces and in time-limited zones for an unlimited period in locations where parking is otherwise legal.² That covers time and meter rules only. You still can’t park in fire lanes, tow-away zones, or the crosshatched access aisles next to accessible spaces.

Penalties to Know About

Fines escalate fast. For most violations of the placard statute, the first offense is $250 and subsequent offenses are $500.² Using a deceased person’s placard carries a flat $500 fine, and the law requires that a placard be returned to the DMV Commissioner after the holder’s death or after moving out of state. After a third parking violation, your vehicle can be towed and impounded until outstanding fines are paid.

1
Connecticut DMV. Accessibility Parking Permit for Individual
2
Justia Law. Connecticut Code 14-253a – Special License Plates and Removable Windshield Placards for Persons Who Are Blind and Persons with Disabilities
3
Connecticut DMV. B-225T – Application for a Person Who Has a Temporary Disability
4
Connecticut DMV. Disability Placard Online Services