PennDOT Form MV-145A: PA Disability Parking Placard

PennDOT Form MV-145A: PA Disability Parking Placard – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) issues Person with Disability Parking Placards to eligible residents and certain caregivers at no cost. The official application form is Form MV-145A, titled “Person With Disability Parking Placard Application.” This comprehensive guide explains eligibility requirements, how to complete and submit the form, renewal and replacement options, proper use of the placard, and where to download the current official PDF.

Pennsylvania disability parking placards are accepted in all 50 states. There is no application fee for permanent, temporary, or severely disabled veteran placards.

What Is PennDOT Form MV-145A?

Form MV-145A is the single official application used by PennDOT’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles to request:

  • A permanent Person with Disability Parking Placard (valid for five years)
  • A temporary Person with Disability Parking Placard (valid up to six months)
  • A Severely Disabled Veteran Parking Placard
  • Renewal of a permanent placard
  • Replacement of a lost, stolen, damaged, or never-received placard
  • Change of address associated with an existing placard

The form must be completed by the applicant (or authorized representative) and certified by a qualified health care provider or, in limited cases, a police officer. Organizations that transport persons with disabilities may request up to eight placards in the organization’s name.

Download the official Form MV-145A (PDF):
https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/penndot/documents/public/dvspubsforms/bmv/bmv-forms/mv-145a.pdf

Eligibility Requirements for a Pennsylvania Disability Parking Placard

Under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1338 and PennDOT guidelines, an applicant qualifies if they (or the person they care for) meet one or more of the following conditions:

  1. Is blind
  2. Does not have full use of an arm or both arms
  3. Cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest
  4. Cannot walk without the use of, or assistance from, a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair, or other assistive device
  5. Is restricted by lung disease so that forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) is less than one liter or arterial oxygen tension is less than 60 mm/Hg on room air at rest
  6. Uses portable oxygen
  7. Has a cardiac condition classified as Class III or Class IV by American Heart Association standards
  8. Is severely limited in the ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition
  9. Is a person in loco parentis of someone who meets criteria 1–8
  10. Is a parent (including adoptive or foster parent) with custody, care, or control of a child or adult child who meets criteria 1–8
  11. Is the spouse of a person who meets criteria 1–8

Age is not a factor. The applicant does not need to be a licensed driver or own a registered vehicle.

Certification rules:

  • A licensed health care provider (physician, chiropractor, optometrist, podiatrist, physician assistant, or certified registered nurse practitioner) licensed or certified in Pennsylvania or a contiguous state (New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, or Ohio) must certify the disability. Providers may only certify conditions within their scope of practice.
  • A police officer may certify only codes (1) blindness or (4) inability to walk without assistive devices.
  • Temporary placards require health care provider certification only; police officers cannot certify temporary applications.
  • Severely Disabled Veteran placards require certification of a 100% service-connected disability by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (Philadelphia or Pittsburgh regional office) or the service unit, or a legible photocopy of a Letter of Promulgation, Awards Letter, Single Notification Letter, or Summary of Benefits Letter showing 100% service-connected disability.

How to Complete and Submit Form MV-145A?

Follow these steps carefully:

  1. Download and print the current Form MV-145A from the official PennDOT link above (the form may be duplicated).
  2. Complete Section A with the applicant’s personal information, including Pennsylvania driver’s license or Photo ID number when available.
  3. Have the appropriate health care provider (or police officer when allowed) complete the medical certification section and select the correct reason code(s).
  4. Sign the application (the person with the disability, parent, spouse, or person in loco parentis may sign as authorized).
  5. Submit the completed form.

Submission options:

  • By mail (most common): Mail the completed original form to:
    PennDOT
    Bureau of Motor Vehicles
    P.O. Box 68268
    Harrisburg, PA 17106-8268
  • In person: Bring the completed form to the Riverfront Office Center (ROC) in Harrisburg. Permanent placard applicants receive the placard and a temporary ID card immediately; the permanent wallet-size ID card is mailed later. Temporary placard applicants receive the temporary placard and temporary ID card on site.

Processing by mail typically takes a few weeks. There is no fee.

A customer may hold either two permanent Person with Disability placards or one permanent placard plus one Person with Disability registration plate.

Types of Pennsylvania Disability Parking Placards

  • Permanent Placard – Valid for five years. Renewed in March or September cycles.
  • Temporary Placard – Valid for up to six months. Cannot be renewed or extended; a new certified application is required if more time is needed.
  • Severely Disabled Veteran Placard – Available to veterans with qualifying 100% service-connected disabilities; also valid for five years.

PennDOT also operates a Temporary Placard Issuance Program that allows certain participating health care facilities to issue temporary placards on the spot. Check the current list of participating facilities on the official PennDOT website.

How to Renew, Replace, or Change Address on a Placard

Permanent placard holders receive a renewal notice approximately 60 days before expiration. You may also:

For temporary placard replacements, the new placard is issued only for the remaining balance of the original period.

If a placard is lost, stolen, damaged, or never received, check the appropriate box on Form MV-145A. Any recovered placard that has been replaced must be returned to PennDOT because it is null and void.

How to Properly Use and Care for the Placard?

  • Hang the placard from the front windshield rearview mirror only when the vehicle is parked in a designated disability parking space and the eligible person is present or being transported.
  • Do not display the placard while the vehicle is in motion.
  • The placard does not authorize parking in prohibited areas or where local ordinances restrict parking during heavy-traffic periods.
  • Store the placard away from extreme temperatures and direct sunlight when not in use to preserve its five-year durability.
  • If the placard is no longer needed and still valid, return it to PennDOT at the P.O. Box address above. Expired placards may be destroyed.

Unauthorized use is a summary offense punishable by a fine of up to $100.

Benefits of the placard:

  • Parking in spaces reserved for persons with disabilities
  • Up to 60 minutes of additional parking time beyond the legal limit (except where local rules for heavy traffic apply)
  • Upon request, local authorities may install a reserved residential parking sign near the eligible person’s home

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee for Form MV-145A or the placard?
No. PennDOT issues the placard at no charge.

Can I apply if I do not have a Pennsylvania driver’s license?
Yes. A Photo ID number may be used, and neither a license nor vehicle ownership is required.

Are Pennsylvania placards valid in other states?
Yes. They are accepted nationwide.

What if I need a disability registration plate instead of (or in addition to) a placard?
Use Form MV-145 for plates. Different fees and rules apply. A person may hold one placard and one plate, or two placards.

Where can I find official updates?
Always refer to the current Form MV-145A and the official PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services pages for the most accurate information.

Official Resources and Download Links

This guide is based on current official PennDOT information and Pennsylvania law. Always verify details on the official Commonwealth of Pennsylvania websites or by contacting PennDOT, as forms and procedures can be updated. Completing Form MV-145A correctly and submitting it with proper certification is the fastest way to obtain your free Pennsylvania Person with Disability Parking Placard.

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