Apply for a disability placard or license plate

To apply for a disability plate or placard, you must:

• Complete an Application for Disabled Parking
  • Your healthcare provider will have to fill out a section to verify your disability status
  • Retain a copy of your 2-sided placard application
• If you are applying for a Disabled Veteran Plate you will also need a Service-Connected Disability Breakdown letter from the VA that shows your combined service connected disability rating and lists each condition along with the associated percentage.  If the letter does not list each condition and its percentage, we will not be able to process the application and more information will be required.

Disability plates

Disability plates are issued to qualified Massachusetts residents who are primary owners of a registered passenger vehicle or a motorcycle. A holder of a passenger vehicle disability plate is entitled to a temporary disabled placard. A person must demonstrate "good cause" or need for the placard in writing to the medical affairs. "Good cause" means a valid reason why the plate cannot be used and duration of the need. Placards may be issued for up to 24 months.

Disability placards

Disability placards are issued to qualified applicants on a temporary or permanent basis. A person may be issued only one valid placard at a time.

Disability Veteran plates

Disability Veteran plates are issued only to qualified Massachusetts resident veterans who meet the following three conditions:

1. Qualify for permanent Disabled Parking Privileges
2. Have a minimum of a 60% service-connected disability rating as determined by the VA and listed on the disability breakdown letter.
3. One or a combination of your listed services connected disabilities totaling 60% must be conditions that affect ambulation and would qualify for disabled parking privileges.  Conditions that do not affect ambulation may not be considered for this condition.

These plates are issued only to qualifying persons who are the primary owner of a registered passenger vehicle.

This approval also means that you meet the eligibility standards in M.G.L, Chapter 60A Section for an exemption from the Motor Vehicles Excise Tax.  You do not need to register your vehicle with Disabled Veteran plates to be eligible for the excise tax exemption.  Chapter 60A states, in part: “This exemption shall apply to not more than one motor vehicle owned and registered for the personal non-commercial use of such a veteran or person.  If you choose not to register your vehicle with the disabled veterans plates and are only applying for the approval letter for excise you must still meet all listed requirements for disabled veteran plates.