Under North Carolina law, the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles issues disability placards and license plates for vehicle owners who need parking assistance and are certified as handicapped as defined by G.S. 20-37.5.
Please note: Placards and plates can only be used by the individual to whom the placard or plate is issued. Placards must be displayed from the vehicle's rearview mirror and plates replace the license plates on the back of the vehicle.
Getting a disability placard
To obtain a
placard that is valid for five years and eligible for renewal, individuals must fill out an application for a disability placard and have it signed by a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, an authorized representative of the Division of Services for the Blind, or present documentation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Please note: These placards must be recertified by a physician every five years to be renewed. Recertification is not required for people 80 years of age or older at the time of renewal. Permanent disability placard holders do not require medical recertification and be renewed online.
To obtain a
temporary placard that is valid for up to six months and is not renewable, individuals must fill out an application for a disability placard and have it signed by a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or present documentation from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
Download Application for Disability Parking Placard
Getting a disability plate
To obtain a disability plate, individuals must fill out an
Application for Disability License Plate and have it signed by a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, an authorized representative of the Division of Services for the Blind, or present documentation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Please note: The sticker/registration must be renewed annually. If the is made by a parent or guardian, the plate must be recertified by a physician every five years by providing a new application at time of renewal.
Download Application for Disability License Plate
Order in-person or by mail
Disability placards and plates can be obtained on the same day at a
license plate agency.
Individuals can also apply by mail. Completed forms must be mailed to the address listed on the forms. Please allow three to four weeks to receive the placard or plate in the mail.
Frequenty asked questions
Disability parking may be used only when the person to whom the placard or plate was issued is in the vehicle. If that person is not in the vehicle, the driver may not use the disability placard/plate.
Anyone else using a disability parking placard or plate for any reason may be subject to posted fines.
Yes. Other states recognize North Carolina disability placards and plates. In addition, local law enforcement recognizes valid placards from other states and countries.
If you have a valid disability placard or plate, you may use spaces marked for the disabled without time limits. In many, but not all jurisdictions, you may also park longer than posted in any parking space.
You may not park in fire lanes, loading zones or any area marked with striped lines. You may not obstruct the entrance or exit to a property with your vehicle.
Parking spaces for driver/owners with disabilities are required to be marked with a sign designating the maximum penalty for parking in the space in violation of the law. It is unlawful to park or leave standing any vehicle that does not carry a valid disability placard or plate in a parking space for individuals with disabilities. It is also unlawful to block or obstruct a curb ramp or curb cut for people with disabilities, as provided under the North Carolina Building Code.
Violations of these parking requirements are infractions which carry penalties of $100 to $250.
Additionally, law enforcement officers may order a vehicle in violation of this section to be towed. Provisions relative to parking in spaces marked and reserved for people with disabilities are enforced by state, county and municipal authorities in their jurisdictions and may be subject to citations and fines.
The average space for disability parking is 60 inches wide while van accessible spaces are 96 inches wide. They provide enough room for ramps or lifts to allow wheelchairs to exit safely.
Striped aisles, or access aisles, are used for wheelchair transfer, walker use and for ramps and lifts to operate safely. Van accessible spaces are usually next to access aisles. leave striped access aisles free for wheelchairs and walkers.
Park in the space that fits your vehicle. If you have a use a small vehicle, do not park in the van-accessible space. Save the van-accessible space for a wheelchair-accessible van.