To renew a handicap placard in Texas, go to your county tax assessor-collector’s office, either in person or by mail. There is no online renewal. You’ll need a completed Form VTR-214 and, for a temporary (red) placard, updated medical documentation and a $5 fee. Permanent (blue) placard renewals are free and don’t require a new doctor’s statement.
What You’ll Need Before You Go
Both renewals start with the same document: the Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard and/or License Plate, known as Form VTR-214. You can download it from the TxDMV website or pick one up at any county tax assessor-collector’s office.1Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Disabled Parking, Placards and Plates What you add to it depends on which placard you hold.
Permanent (Blue) Placard
Fill out page one of Form VTR-214. Your doctor does not need to complete the disability statement on page two. Texas law specifically allows permanent placards to be renewed “without presentation of eligibility.”2State of Texas. Texas Transportation Code Chapter 681 – Privileged Parking Include either a copy of your original application or your expiring placard with the form.1Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Disabled Parking, Placards and Plates If you can’t locate the original paperwork, the old placard works. There is no fee.
Temporary (Red) Placard
Temporary placards need current medical proof. A doctor or other authorized healthcare provider must complete the disability statement on page two of Form VTR-214. In place of that, you can submit an original prescription that includes your name, a description of the temporary disability, and the medical professional’s signature and title.1Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Disabled Parking, Placards and Plates The fee is $5 per placard.2State of Texas. Texas Transportation Code Chapter 681 – Privileged Parking
Renewing in Person at the County Tax Office
Walk-in service at your county tax assessor-collector’s office is usually the fastest route. Bring:
- Your completed Form VTR-214
- A photo ID, such as your Texas driver’s license or state ID card
- Your expiring placard or a copy of your original application (permanent renewals)
- $5 payment if you’re renewing a temporary placard
Most counties handle placard renewals at the same window used for vehicle registration. You’ll typically leave with confirmation that your application has been submitted, and the new placard arrives by mail.
Renewing by Mail
If you’d rather not visit the office, you can mail the renewal to your county tax assessor-collector. Send:
- The completed Form VTR-214
- A copy of your photo ID
- The required supporting document (expiring placard or original application copy for blue; medical statement or prescription for red)
- Payment by personal check, money order, or cashier’s check for any fee owed
Do not mail cash. If you don’t know the mailing address for your county tax office, you can look it up on the TxDMV website or call TxDMV customer service at (888) 368-4689.1Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Disabled Parking, Placards and Plates
Once your application is approved, the new placard is mailed to the address on your form. Processing typically runs 10 to 15 business days, with some variation by county.
Fees and How Often You Renew
A permanent blue placard is good for four years for Texas residents, and renewal is free. A temporary red placard expires six months after it was issued, or when the underlying disability ends, whichever comes first, and costs $5 to renew.3Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV). Disabled Persons License Plates and Placards
If you have a permanent disability, you’re allowed to hold two blue placards at once, or one blue placard plus a set of license plates showing the International Symbol of Access. That’s useful if you regularly ride in more than one vehicle.3Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV). Disabled Persons License Plates and Placards Each placard renews on its own schedule.
If Your Placard Already Expired
Getting cited for parking in a disabled space with an expired placard is not automatically the end of the matter. Texas law requires a court to dismiss the charge if three conditions are all met: the placard expired no more than 60 days before the citation, you renew it within 20 working days of the citation or before your first court date (whichever is later), and you present proof of the renewal. The court may still charge a reimbursement fee of up to $20.2State of Texas. Texas Transportation Code Chapter 681 – Privileged Parking
Past 60 days, the dismissal option disappears and you face the full fine. If your placard is close to expiring, start the renewal before the date on the card.
Using a Texas Placard in Other States
Most states recognize placards issued elsewhere, so your Texas placard generally works when you travel. The privileges that come with it don’t travel the same way. Some states exempt placard holders from meters, some charge out-of-state visitors, and some restrict certain street parking to locally issued permits. Check the local rules wherever you’re going, especially in larger cities where enforcement is active.