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This post explains how to renew a handicap placard in California, what form or details you need, and the key dates. You’ll also learn what to do if your placard is expiring soon or you never receive the new one.

Imagine this: your current placard is running out, you rely on it to park close to where you need to go, and the renewal rules feel confusing. The good news is that California’s DMV process is mostly straightforward—especially for permanent placards.

Main idea you should know first

California’s renewal steps depend on whether your placard is permanent or temporary.

In this guide, the most detailed renewal process is for a Permanent Disabled Person Parking Placard.

Key DMV points for permanent placards:
- You can renew online
- There is no charge
- If DMV requires a signature for this renewal cycle, DMV will not mail a new placard until they receive your signature
- After DMV receives your signature, your new placard is mailed and you usually receive it in two to four weeks

How to renew a permanent disabled person parking placard in California

Step by step for online renewal

  1. Go to the DMV renewal page for Permanent Disabled Person Parking Placard Renewal
  2. Start the renewal using the placard ID card details (your placard number or renewal ID is needed)
  3. If you have a renewal notice, you can:
  4. scan the QR code on the notice, or
  5. use your Renewal Identification Number
  6. Provide your signature during the online process
  7. Submit, then wait for mailing

Online timeline for receiving the new placard

  • Two to four weeks after DMV receives your signature (if you renew online)

DMV also gives a helpful timing check:
- If you haven’t received your renewed placard by June 15, 2025, you should contact DMV using their online chat or by phone at 1-800-777-0133 (TTY 1-800-368-4327).
- For a different “not received” check, DMV also says: if you don’t receive your new placard by June 1, contact DMV.

Where to find the DMV page

Use this DMV page for permanent placard renewal
- dmv.ca.gov → DMV Virtual Office → Permanent Disabled Person Parking Placard Renewal

(That is the official “start renewal” area DMV describes.)

What form is required

If you do not have your renewal notice and you must renew by mail or in person, DMV says you will need to use:

  • Application for Permanent Disabled Person (DP) Placard Renewal (REG 195 A)

Can you renew online, by mail, or in person

Yes—DMV explains these options for permanent disabled person parking placards:

Method Is it allowed What you generally need Notes
Online Yes Your Disabled Person Parking Placard ID Card info, and a signature No payment required
By mail Yes Renewal notice (and return envelope) or REG 195 A if you don’t have notice DMV notes postage is required
In person Yes (only when needed) REG 195 A if you don’t have notice No doctor’s note described in the DMV renewal instructions provided

What information you need to renew online

For online renewal, DMV specifically points to these items:
- Placard number or Renewal Identification Number (from your renewal notice)
- Your renewal process requires an electronic signature

If you don’t have the renewal notice, DMV says you can still renew online using:
- Your name
- Your date of birth
- Your placard number (from your placard identification card)

Update your address if you moved

If you have moved and want the new placard sent to the right place:

  • Update your mailing address while renewing (online or mail-in) if you have a renewal letter
  • If your placard is renewing automatically this year, use DMV’s Change of Address online service
  • If you did not receive a renewal letter and you have a new mailing address, DMV directs you to change your address online so DMV can send future renewal notices and placards

DMV also mentions a USPS detail:
- If you completed a USPS change of address within the last 12 months, USPS should forward DMV mail—but DMV still encourages you to update your mailing address with DMV.

What happens if you don’t respond to the renewal notice

This part is important.

If your renewal requires a signature and you do not provide it:
- DMV will not issue a new placard until they receive your signature

So, even if you want to keep using the same placard “a little longer,” the key rule is that the replacement depends on your signature being received.

Why California requires signatures for some permanent renewals

California changed the process because of state law.

DMV explains:
- In 2017, the California legislature passed Senate Bill (SB) 611
- DMV must send renewal notices every six years (or before the third placard renewal)
- Customers must provide a signature before DMV can mail a new placard

How often permanent placards are renewed

From the DMV renewal explanation:
- Permanent disabled person parking placards follow a schedule tied to six years
- In some past years, placards could be automatically renewed, but now DMV may require signature at certain renewal points

DMV also states the old pattern for many longtime holders:
- Previously, permanent holders would automatically receive a new placard every two years
- Beginning in 2023, some holders had to provide a signature
- By 2025, the next group may have signature requirements depending on when the original placard was issued

Who is affected by the new renewal process

DMV explains this clearly for the 2025 renewal cycle:

  • DMV will send renewal notices to about 260,000 permanent placard holders
  • Those customers must respond soon to receive a new placard by the June 30, 2025 expiration date

DMV also notes:
- If you received your original permanent parking placard after December 2020, you will not receive a notice during this renewal cycle and you will automatically receive a new placard by June 30, 2025

New deadline in California

For the renewal cycle described by DMV:
- The current placard expiration date is June 30, 2025
- DMV encourages responding soon so you receive the new placard before that date

If your placard is expiring soon

A practical checklist to avoid problems:
- Check your expiration date
- If DMV sent a renewal notice, renew and provide your signature quickly
- If you moved, update your mailing address during renewal
- Track timing: after DMV receives your signature, delivery is usually two to four weeks

If you have not received the new placard by the expected date

DMV gives clear instructions:

  • If you don’t receive your renewed placard by June 1, contact DMV
  • If you have not received your renewed placard by June 15, 2025, contact DMV

Contact methods mentioned by DMV:
- Online chat or phone at 1-800-777-0133
- TTY 1-800-368-4327

Difference between a permanent placard and license plates

DMV says the renewal signature change applies only to:
- Permanent parking placards

It does not apply to:
- Disabled Person License Plates
- Temporary parking placards

So, if your situation involves license plates rather than a permanent placard, the rules described here for permanent placards won’t match your case.

What if you no longer have your renewal notice

DMV provides two pathways:

Situation What to do
Renew online without a notice Use name, date of birth, and placard number (from your placard identification card)
Must renew by mail or in person without a notice Use REG 195 A

What if a placard is not renewed by the deadline

DMV’s renewal instructions emphasize that:
- DMV will not issue a new placard until your signature is received
- If you do not complete renewal by the deadline, you may not have a valid placard to park in disabled person parking spaces after the expiration date

Diagram of the permanent renewal flow

flowchart TD
A[Check placard expiration date] --> B{Is it a permanent placard}
B -->|Yes| C{Did you receive a renewal notice}
C -->|Yes| D[Renew online by QR or RIN and sign]
C -->|No| E[Renew online using name, DOB, placard number\nor use REG 195 A for mail/in-person]
D --> F[DMV receives signature]
E --> F
F --> G[DMV mails new placard]
G --> H[Arrives in about 2 to 4 weeks]
H --> I[New placard expires June 2027]

Quick “most common” questions, answered

Question Short answer
How do I renew my handicap placard in California For permanent placards, use DMV’s online renewal for Permanent Disabled Person Parking Placard Renewal
Methods for renewing Online, by mail, or in person (mail/in-person often uses REG 195 A if you don’t have notice)
How long to receive it Usually two to four weeks after DMV receives your signature
What form is required REG 195 A if you don’t have your renewal notice and must renew by mail/in person
Can I renew online Yes
What if I moved Update your address during renewal (or use DMV change of address service)
Why signatures are required SB 611 requires a signature before DMV mails a new placard
How often permanent placards are renewed Based on the six-year renewal cycle described by DMV
What if I don’t respond DMV will not issue the new placard until it receives your signature
Who is affected by the 2025 process About 260,000 notice recipients; those with original placards after Dec 2020 may automatically receive without a notice
New deadline Placards are tied to June 30, 2025 expiration for the cycle described

Summary

California’s process for renewing a permanent disabled person parking placard is mainly done through DMV’s online renewal system. The biggest “gotchas” are timing and signature: DMV will not mail your replacement until your signature is received, and delivery usually takes two to four weeks after that.

If your placard is expiring soon, the safest approach is to renew online, provide your signature right away, and make sure your address is correct so your new placard can be mailed to the right place.