Types of permits
- Removable windshield placards are issued to a person with a disability on a temporary (six months) or permanent (five year) basis. Removable windshield placards may also be issued to an organization that transports persons with disabilities and/or elderly customers.
- Plates are issued to an owner of a vehicle who is a person with a permanent disability; also issued to parent or guardian of a child with a disability if the child lives with parent or guardian.
- Stickers are issued to an owner of a motor vehicle who is a person with a disability who does not want a persons with disabilities license plate. The sticker is placed on the license plate in the lower-right corner of the rear plate. The sticker can be placed on any type of regular, special or personalized license plate in the lower-right corner of the rear plate. Stickers are only available at the Office of Vehicle & Motor Carrier Services in Ankeny.
Eligibility
Any Iowa resident with a disability that limits or impairs the person's ability to walk. A person shall be considered a person with a disability and can obtain a removable windshield placard, sticker or plate under the following circumstances.
- The person cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest.
- The person cannot walk without the use of, or assistance from, a brace, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair or other assisting device.
- The person is restricted by lung disease to such an extent that the person's forced expiratory volume for one second, when measured by spirometry, is less than one liter, or the arterial-oxygen tension is less than 60 mm/hg on room air at rest.
- The person uses portable oxygen.
- The person has a cardiac condition to the extent that the person's functional limitations are classified in severity as Class III or Class IV according to standards set by the American Heart Association.
- The person is severely limited in the person's ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition.
Medical statements
The following medical professionals licensed to practice in any U.S. state may provide the medical statement: physicians (including podiatrists), chiropractors, physician's assistants, nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, and physical therapists.
If you are a veteran with a service-related disability, you may submit a disability determination made by the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs in lieu of a medical statement documenting disability.
How to get your persons with disabilities parking permit
If you are applying for a Persons with Disability removeable windshield placard (Standard or Temporary), please be aware there will be a waiting period due to processing time. If you need your placard immediately, you can visit one of our Iowa DOT service centers or a county treasurer’s office to obtain your placard.
Submit request electronically
- Complete the Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Permit for Iowa Residents form.
- When prompted on the form, upload your medical statement or your US DVA certification (for veterans).
- After completing the form, electronically sign and click submit.
Submit your request by mail
- Complete the Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Permit for Iowa Residents form and print the form after completing.
- Mail the completed form and the medical statement or your US DVA certification (for veterans) to:
Iowa DOT Vehicle Services
P.O. Box 9278
Des Moines, IA 50306-9278
at a service center
You can go to any Iowa Driver's License Service Center. No appointment necessary; however, you will need to wait for the next available team member. Be sure to bring your completed Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Permit for Iowa Residents and your medical statement or your US DVA certification (for veterans).
How to get persons with disabilities plates
How to get persons with disabilities stickers
To apply for a persons with disabilities sticker, complete the Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Permit for Iowa Residents or you may make an appointment to get them at the Office of Vehicle & Motor Carrier Services in Ankeny. Be sure to select "Vehicle Services (No DL/CDL Services)" from the location drop down menu when scheduling an appointment.
About Persons with Disabilities parking products
Cost
There is no cost for the removable windshield placard, sticker or plate. However, motorists displaying a persons with disabilities plate will continue to pay their regular annual vehicle registration fee. There is a $25 fee for personalized plates.
How long are permits valid
- Plates: Persons with disabilities plates must be validated each year with a self-certification by the owner stating the disability still exists for the owner or for the child.
- Removable windshield placards: Temporary permits will expire six months from the date of issue, unless the medical professional indicates a date prior to six months; those which are permanent expire five years from the date of issue.
- Stickers: Valid as long as the motor vehicle registration is current.
Multiple permits
- Persons with disabilities plates may be issued to all vehicles titled in the person's name with a disability.
- Two removable windshield placards may be issued for each person with a disability.
- Persons with disabilities parking stickers may be issued to all vehicles titled in the person's name with a disability.
Placard use requirements
The law requires the permit holder's signature to be on the removable windshield placard for it to be valid and used when parking in a designated parking space.
Penalties
- Providing false information to obtain the removable windshield placard, sticker or plate may result in a $300 civil fine; the removable windshield placard, sticker or plate may also be revoked.
- Parking in a designated space when there is not a person with a disability driving or riding in the vehicle may result in a $200 fine.
- Failing to return the removable windshield placard, sticker or plate when the use is no longer needed, and then misusing it may result in a fine of up to $200
Parking space requirements
Requirements for the numbers and dimensions of accessible parking spaces are established by the Iowa Department of Public Safety. For further information, contact the regulatory assistance coordinator at 515-725-6145 or e-mail at regassist@dps.state.ia.us.
Reduced registration fees for specially equipped vehicles for persons with disabilities
Iowa Code 321.109
Administrative Rules 761 IAC 400.35
The annual registration fee shall be $60 for a vehicle that is an automobile, multipurpose vehicle, or motor truck with an unladen weight of 10,000 pounds or less with permanently installed equipment manufactured for and necessary to assist a disabled person with a disability who is either the owner or lessee of the vehicle or a member of the owner’s or lessee’s household in entry and exit of the vehicle or if the owner or lessee of the vehicle or a member of the owner’s or lessee’s household uses a wheelchair as the only means of mobility.
The owner shall complete an annual self-certification when the vehicle is registered.
The disabled person must be either the owner of the vehicle or a member of the owner's household and must qualify as permanently disabled pursuant to Iowa Code 321L to obtain a reduced registration fee.
For purposes of this paragraph, “uses a wheelchair” does not include use of a wheelchair due to a temporary injury or medical condition.