For Georgia residents with a disability that limits their mobility, a handicap placard provides access to closer parking spots, reducing unnecessary physical strain on a daily basis. Unlike some states, Georgia’s process is managed through the Department of Revenue (DOR) at local county tag offices — not the Department of Driver Services (DDS). Here’s everything you need to know to apply, renew, or replace your permit.
Georgia Handicap Placard Requirements
To qualify for a disabled parking permit, you must have a disability that limits or impairs your ability to walk, or be certified as legally blind. Qualifying conditions include, but are not limited to:
- Inability to walk without the assistance of a person, cane, wheelchair, or other device.
- Cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest.
- Severe lung disease limiting forced respiratory expiratory volume.
- Cardiac conditions classified as Class III or IV by the American Heart Association.
- Arthritis, neurological, or orthopedic conditions that severely limit walking.
- Legal blindness.
Who Can Certify? Your condition must be certified by a licensed Doctor (M.D. or D.O.), Podiatrist, Optometrist, Chiropractor, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), or a Physician Assistant (PA).
Types of Disabled Parking Permits in Georgia
You do not need to own a vehicle to obtain a disabled parking placard in Georgia.
| Permit Type | Details | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent Placard (Blue) | For long-term or permanent disabilities. Valid for 4 years. | Free |
| Temporary Placard (Red) | For temporary limitations (e.g., surgery recovery). Valid for up to 180 days (6 months). | Free |
| Special Equipment Placard (Gold) | For individuals who drive vehicles equipped with hand controls. Valid for 4 years. | Free |
| Disabled License Plate | Vehicle-specific alternative. (You may apply for a plate and a placard simultaneously). | $20.00 |
How to Apply for a Georgia Handicap Placard: Step-by-Step (Form MV-9D)
Step 1: Obtain Form MV-9D Download the Disabled Person’s Parking Affidavit (Form MV-9D) from the Georgia Department of Revenue website (dor.georgia.gov), or pick one up at your local county tag office.
Step 2: Have the Form Completed by a Provider Your licensed healthcare practitioner must complete the form, indicating whether your disability is temporary or permanent.
Step 3: Submit to Your County Tag Office Bring your paperwork, along with your Georgia driver’s license or Georgia ID card (showing your current county address), to your local county tag office. Some counties accept mail-in applications — contact your specific office to check their policy.+1
How to Skip the Notary Requirement
If you look closely at Form MV-9D, you will notice a section requiring your doctor’s signature to be notarized. Finding a notary public can be a hassle, but Georgia law provides a legal shortcut!
Under GA Code § 40-2-74.1, you do not need a notary if your doctor, APRN, or PA writes a signed and dated statement on their secure prescription paper. The prescription paper must include their printed name, address, phone number, license number, the specific disability, and whether it is permanent or temporary. You simply attach this prescription to your un-notarized MV-9D form and submit it!
How to Renew a Georgia Handicap Placard (No New MV-9D Required for Permanent)
Georgia has made the renewal process incredibly easy for residents with long-term disabilities. If you hold a Permanent (Blue) Placard, you do not need to go back to the doctor to renew it every four years. You do not even need to fill out a new Form MV-9D!
When your blue placard is about to expire, simply take the expiring placard and your Georgia ID to your county tag office. They will verify your identity and hand you a new permanent placard on the spot, free of charge.
(Note: Temporary Red placards cannot simply be renewed. If your temporary condition persists past 180 days, you must get a brand-new medical certification from your doctor to receive a new placard).
How to Display Your Georgia Placard
- Hang the placard from the rearview mirror of any vehicle in which you are the driver or a passenger.
- Remove the placard while the vehicle is in motion to avoid obstructing your vision (which is a traffic violation).
- The placard belongs to the individual, not the vehicle. It can be moved freely between cars.+1
- Georgia placards are recognized in all other U.S. states under federal ADA rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A permanently disabled person may apply for both a disabled person’s parking placard and a disabled person’s license plate simultaneously using Form MV-9D, simply by checking both applicable boxes.
If your handicap sticker is lost, stolen, or damaged, visit your county tag office. Because only one disabled parking placard is allowed per individual, a replacement follows the same documentation process (requiring a newly completed Form MV-9D).
Yes. If someone other than the applicant is picking up the placard at the tag office, they must either share the same last name and address as the applicant, or present a valid Power of Attorney document.
Conclusion
Applying for a Georgia handicap placard is highly straightforward once you know where to go. Because DDS (Driver Services) offices do not issue them, head straight to your local county tag office instead. The key is to have your healthcare provider complete Form MV-9D—or provide the information on a secure prescription pad to skip the notary—and submit it with your Georgia ID. With permanent placards lasting four years and requiring zero medical paperwork to renew, securing your parking permit is a high-value step for maintaining your independence.
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