As you all know, it takes a great deal of research to obtain a disabled parking permit. Every state’s laws are different and within each state the local laws vary. As outlined below, you will need to follow these steps to effectively retrieve your handicap parking permit in Massachusetts.

What Qualifications Do You Need to Meet?

Step 1:

Massachusetts requires certain disabilities, as verified by your licensed medical professional, in order for you to be qualified for a disability parking permit, one or more of the following must apply:

  1. You must not be able to walk 200 feet or more without assistance
  2. You must have severe arthritis
  3. You must require oxygen to breathe
  4. You must have lost eternal use of a limb, or lost a limb
  5. You must be legally blind
  6. You must have a prosthetic

Why Do You Need a Health Care Provider?

Step 2:

In order to satisfy the legal requirements to apply for a handicap parking permit, you must obtain a medical certification by a licensed medical professional. This step is one of the most important to remember, as you will have to update your medical certification as requested by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.

  1. Locate your health care provider
  2. Have your Health care provider certify your disability
  3. On the second page of the application, have your health care provider fill out and sign the page

How You Fill Out Your Application

Step 3 (a):

You will need to fill out and sign the first page of the application for a disability placard and your health care provider will fill out and sign the second page of the application. You must get a copy of the application from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. You need to:

  1. Locate your nearest Massachusetts RMV branch
  2. Pick-up the application for disabled parking placards/plates
  3. Decide if you are applying for Temporary or Permanent Placard status (See Step 5)
  4. Gather all of your necessary documents to complete page one of the application
  5. Provide your second page of your application to your health care provider
  6. Drop-off your application and documents at your Massachusetts RMV Branch
  7. Fees for plates- $60/vehicle and $20/motorcycle
  8. Receive your approval for a disabled parking placard!

What if You are a Disabled Veteran?

Step 3 (b):

If you find yourself as a disabled veteran, you will need to follow the same steps with a few differences. You are qualified for a Disabled Veteran Plate with added benefits that regular plate or placard holders are not allowed. Your disabled veteran plate benefits include:

  1. Free registration of your vehicle with your plate
  2. Free Driver’s License
  3. Exempt from Excise Tax
  4. Exempt from sales tax on your vehicle (November 1, 2006 models and above)

What You Need to Do After You Receive Your Placard

Step 4:

You must follow all procedures established by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicle, state and local laws:

  1. Hang your placard in your rearview mirror
  2. Face your expiration date outwards (visible through our windshield)
  3. Do NOT hang your placard while your vehicle is in motion
  4. You must carry your Medical Certification in your vehicle

When You Must Renew or Replace Your Placard

Step 5:

After you have submitted your temporary or permanent disabled parking placard application, what happens when you need to renew or replace your placard? Keep in mind, you are obligated to return your expired placards to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor vehicles to avoid a $100 penalty. Review your rules:

  1. Temporary and Permanent Placards
  2. Temporary
  1. Valid for you 2-24 months
  2. Transfer, if needed, to Permanent Placard subject to new application and medical certification
  3. Pay appropriate fees, if needed
  4. Permanent
  1. Valid for five years
  2. Massachusetts RMV will send your new placard via mail two weeks prior to expiration
  3. Replacement Parking Placards
  1. Date of Birth
  2. Social Security Number
  3. Placard Number (if known)
  4. No cost to you
  5. You are only allotted one replaced placard in 12 months and no more than three in a five-year period

What are the Abuse and Misuse Laws You Need to Follow?

Step 6:

Massachusetts set forth strict laws to its citizens to help you safely use your parking placard. If you suspect fraud or abuse, report immediately to your local law enforcement agency by:

  1. You must get the license plate number
  2. You must describe the vehicle
  3. You must provide the location
  4. You must describe the perpetrator
  5. You must describe the events leading to your viewed abuse

If you are the abuser or misuser of your disabled parking placard you will be subject to:

  1. Investigation into the offenses committed
  2. Investigation of the evidence against you
  3. Punishment of the offense(s) and fined from $50-$1,000
  4. Revocation of your Placard or Plate

Where You Need to Find the Massachusetts Locations

Step 7:

Branch locations of the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles are scattered throughout the state. It’s always best for you to visit the location nearest you when applying or picking up and dropping off your disability parking placards. Review the below list for a location near you:

  1. Attleboro
  2. Boston
  3. Braintree
  4. Brockton
  5. Chicopee
  6. Danvers
  7. Easthampton
  8. Fall River
  9. Greenfield
  10. Haverhill