Table of Contents:

If your California placard is about to expire, this guide explains exactly what to do so you can keep using disabled parking spaces. You’ll learn the DMV renewal steps, deadlines, and what to do if your placard renewal goes wrong.

Imagine the problem first

Imagine this: your parking placard is almost out of date, and you need accessible parking soon. You might be worried about losing your spot, waiting too long, or not knowing where to start.

That’s why the DMV renewal process needs to be clear—so you can renew in time and avoid a stressful gap.

California DMV website to renew

For California placard renewal, use the DMV page for Permanent Disabled Person Parking Placard renewal:

  • https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv-virtual-office/dpp-renewal/

This page explains the online steps, timing, and what to do if you receive problems.

Which placards this affects

Permanent vs other placards

Placard type Does this renewal change apply
Permanent disabled person parking placard Yes
Temporary placard No
Disabled person license plates No

The signature and notice process described here is for permanent parking placards.

Methods to renew in California

California lets you renew a permanent disabled person parking placard using these methods:

Method Is it allowed What you typically need
Online Yes Your placard number or Renewal Identification Number (RIN), and an electronic signature (often by scanning a QR code)
By mail Yes Your renewal notice and your signature returned in the envelope
In person Possible Only if the renewal notice requires it (details are handled through DMV instructions/forms)

What form is required

If you must renew by mail or in person and you no longer have your renewal notice, DMV says you need:

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

For most people who renew online, DMV guides you through the online renewal system rather than mailing paper.

Renewing online step by step

DMV says you can renew your Permanent Disabled Person Parking Placard online like this:

Online renewal steps

  1. Complete the renewal online using your Disabled Person Parking Placard ID card.
  2. If you have your renewal notice, scan the QR code or use your Renewal Identification Number (RIN) to submit your signature.
  3. There is no charge to renew. You do not need a credit card or payment.

DMV also warns to scan the QR code using your phone’s built-in QR reader (newer iOS/Android).

What information you need online

To renew online, you need details that identify you and your placard:

  • Placard number, or
  • Renewal Identification Number (RIN) (from your renewal notice)
  • If you don’t have the notice, DMV says you can renew online using your name, date of birth, and the placard number as listed on your placard identification card.

Here’s the same idea in a quick checklist:

Online situation Information you use
You have a renewal notice QR code or RIN + your placard details
You do not have a renewal notice Name, date of birth, and placard number

Update your address after you move

If you moved, you should not guess where DMV will mail your new card. DMV explains:

  • If you have a renewal notice, you can provide a new mailing address while renewing (online or by mail).
  • If you didn’t receive a letter and your address changed, update it using DMV’s change of address options.
  • Even if USPS forwards your mail, DMV says you still must update your mailing address so your placard renewal reaches you.

This matters because the new placard is mailed after DMV receives your signature.

Why California requires signatures for permanent renewals

This is a key rule change.

DMV explains that in 2017 California passed Senate Bill (SB) 611, requiring DMV to send renewal notices to permanent placard holders every six years or before the third renewal. Customers must provide a signature before DMV can mail a new placard.

So the signature isn’t just a formality—it is the step that allows DMV to receive your approval and issue the next card.

Timeline and how long it takes

How long after you renew

DMV says:

  • Once DMV receives your signature, the new placard will be mailed and received in about two to four weeks.

Expiration and renewal deadlines in the 2025 cycle

For the cycle described on DMV’s renewal page:

  • Current placards expire June 30, 2025
  • If you renew online, you should receive your placard within two to four weeks
  • If you have not received it by June 15, 2025, contact DMV
  • Another DMV contact note says if you don’t receive it by June 1, contact DMV

Because dates appear in more than one FAQ answer, the safest rule is simple: start early, don’t wait until the last week.

What happens if you miss the renewal deadline

If you do not respond in time, DMV says it will not issue a new placard until it receives your signature. That means your placard may no longer be valid after the expiration date.

This is especially important if you rely on accessible parking spaces regularly.

How often permanent placards are renewed

Permanent disabled person parking placards are renewed based on a six-year pattern:

Rule Meaning
Signature-required renewals happen about every six years DMV sends renewal notices on this schedule for long-term holders
Some people renew automatically If your original placard was issued after December 2020, DMV says you will automatically receive a new placard (no notice/signature required during that renewal cycle)

Who gets automatic renewal

DMV states:

  • People who received their original after December 2020 are not expected to receive a notice during the described renewal cycle, and will automatically receive a new parking placard before the June 30, 2025 expiration date.

Difference between permanent placards and disabled plates

Item What it is
Permanent parking placard A parking placard used for accessible parking
Disabled person license plates License plates for a vehicle that also relate to disabled parking rules

The DMV renewal signature change described here affects permanent parking placards, not disabled license plates.

If you lost your renewal notice

DMV says you can still renew even if you no longer have the notice:

  • Online: renew using name, date of birth, and the placard number from your placard identification card.
  • If you must renew by mail or in person without the notice, use REG 195 A.

If you do not respond to the renewal notice

DMV’s message is clear:

  • A new placard is not issued until DMV receives your signature.

That’s why timing matters—especially when your current placard expires soon.

If you didn’t receive the new placard

DMV says:

  • If you have not received your renewed placard by the expected dates, contact DMV using:
  • Online chat, or
  • 1-800-777-0133
  • TTY: 1-800-368-4327

If you moved and didn’t update your mailing address, DMV also says to contact them so they can help when the placard was mailed to an old address.

What if you don’t want to renew online

DMV indicates that renewing online is the easiest option, but you can also renew by mail (postage required) and, when needed, through DMV instructions for mail or in-person renewal.

If you want a simple “don’t do this” rule, it’s this: don’t wait until after the expiration date to start the renewal.

Quick visual summary

flowchart TD
A[Placard getting close to expiration] --> B{Is it a permanent placard?}
B -->|No| C[Use temporary/other process from DMV]
B -->|Yes| D[Check DMV DPPP renewal info]
D --> E[Renew online if possible]
D --> F{Do you have renewal notice?}
F -->|Yes| G[Scan QR or use RIN and e-sign]
F -->|No| H[Renew online using name, DOB, placard number]
E --> I[No charge]
G --> J[DMV receives signature]
H --> J
J --> K[Placard mailed]
K --> L[Receive in 2 to 4 weeks]
L --> M[Before June 30 expiration]

The key takeaways

  • Use the DMV DPPP renewal page to renew your permanent handicap placard.
  • Renewing online is the fastest path and has no fee.
  • A signature is required for many permanent renewals so DMV can mail the new placard.
  • After DMV receives your signature, you generally get your new placard in two to four weeks.
  • Update your address if you moved, or the placard may go to the wrong place.

This approach helps you keep your parking access without delays, surprises, or last-minute rushes.