Nevada DMV Handicap Placard Application (SP27): Eligibility, Filing, and Renewal

The Nevada DMV handicap placard application is Form SP27, a free two-page form you can download from the Nevada DMV website or pick up at any DMV field office.¹ You complete the top half, a qualifying healthcare provider fills out the medical certification on the bottom half, and you submit it in person, by mail, or at a participating AAA office. Placards are free. The whole process hinges on the medical section, so it helps to know what Nevada counts as a qualifying disability before you sit down with your provider.

Who Qualifies

Nevada law defines a qualifying disability as one that limits or impairs the ability to walk. Under NRS 482.3835, you qualify if any one of the following applies:²

You cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest.
You cannot walk without a brace, cane, crutch, wheelchair, prosthetic device, or help from another person.
Your forced expiratory volume in one second is less than one liter, or your arterial oxygen tension is below 60 millimeters of mercury on room air at rest.
You use portable oxygen.
Your cardiac condition is classified Class III or Class IV under American Heart Association standards.
You have a qualifying visual impairment.
You have an orthopedic, neurological, or arthritic condition that severely limits your ability to walk.

You only need to meet one. Your provider identifies the specific condition on the SP27 and certifies whether it is temporary, moderate-duration, or permanent. That certification determines which placard you receive.

Which Placard You’ll Get

Nevada issues three categories of disabled parking authorization, each with its own color and expiration cycle.³

A temporary red placard, for a disability expected to last no longer than six months, is valid for up to six months.⁴
A moderate-duration blue placard, for a reversible disability expected to last longer than six months, is valid for up to two years.
A permanent blue placard, for an irreversible disability, is valid for up to ten years. You can also request disabled license plates or motorcycle stickers instead of (or in addition to) a placard.⁵

All three placards are free. If you choose disabled license plates instead, you pay the standard registration and plate fees. The DMV cannot charge more for disabled plates than for regular plates of the same vehicle class.⁶

Filling Out the SP27

Your Section (Top Half)

The top portion asks for your full legal name, Nevada driver’s license or state ID number, mailing address, and contact information.¹ Use the name exactly as it appears on your Nevada ID; mismatches slow processing. Check the box for what you want: a placard, license plates, or both. Sign and date the form after your provider has completed their section. Your signature certifies that the information on the application is truthful.

Medical Certification (Bottom Half)

Your healthcare provider fills out the bottom half. A licensed physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse can certify your disability. As of 2025, Nevada expanded the list of eligible providers to include licensed occupational therapists and physical therapists following the passage of Senate Bill 113.⁷

Your provider must identify the qualifying condition from the NRS 482.3835 categories and certify whether the disability is temporary, moderate-duration, or permanent. They need to include their professional license number, office address, phone number, signature, and the date. Missing or illegible provider signatures are one of the most common reasons applications stall. Check every field before you leave the office.

Where to Submit It

You have three ways to turn in a completed SP27:

In person at any full-service Nevada DMV office. This is the fastest route if you want same-visit confirmation that your paperwork is complete.
At a participating AAA office that offers Nevada DMV services.⁸
By mail to the Nevada DMV’s Central Services division in Carson City. Allow extra time for postal delivery and processing.

Once the DMV verifies your application, your placard or plate decals are mailed to the address on your form.

Displaying and Using Your Placard

Every placard comes with a hook or clip so you can hang it from the rearview mirror while parked.⁶ Take it down before driving; it can obstruct your view, and it isn’t required to be displayed when the vehicle is moving. The placard is issued to you, not to a specific vehicle, so you can use it in any car you’re riding in as the driver or a passenger.

The DMV also issues an authorization letter with your photograph. Keep it in the vehicle. A police officer or parking enforcement volunteer can ask to see it when your placard is displayed.⁹

Renewal and Replacement

A temporary red placard expires at the end of its certified period and requires a new SP27 with fresh medical certification if you still need one. A moderate-duration blue placard, valid for up to two years, follows the same renewal process. A permanent blue placard lasts up to ten years before renewal is needed.³

If your placard is lost, stolen, or damaged, contact the DMV for a replacement. The replacement fee is minimal, generally a few dollars, but confirm the current amount with the DMV when you request one.

Penalties for Misuse

Nevada treats disabled parking abuse as a misdemeanor, and fines escalate with repeat offenses:⁹

First offense: $250 fine.
Second offense: $250 fine plus 8 to 50 hours of community service.
Third or subsequent offense: $500 to $1,000 fine plus 25 to 100 hours of community service.

These penalties apply to parking in a disabled space without a valid placard or plate, using someone else’s placard, or using an expired placard. Enforcement volunteers appointed under NRS 484B.470 can also issue citations, so the risk isn’t limited to encounters with sworn officers.

1
Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles. Disabled Persons License Plates and/or Placards Application
2
Nevada Legislature. Nevada Code 482.3835 – Person With a Disability Which Limits or Impairs the Ability to Walk Defined
3
Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles. Disabled Parking
4
Nevada Legislature. NRS Chapter 482 – Motor Vehicles and Trailers
5
Nevada Legislature. Nevada Code 482.3837 – Person With a Permanent Disability Defined
6
Nevada Legislature. Nevada Code 482.384 – Special License Plates and Special and Temporary Parking Placards and Stickers
7
Nevada Legislature. Nevada State Senate Bill 113
8
Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles. Office Locations
9
Nevada Legislature. NRS Chapter 484B – Rules of the Road