Utah disabled license plate rules start with one form and one signature. A physician certifies the qualifying condition on Form TC-842, and the Division of Motor Vehicles reviews that form before it issues a plate or a placard. The plate carries the international symbol of use and stays with the registered vehicle. A placard does not stay with a vehicle. It moves with the person who holds it. This page covers the application path, the two placard types, the costs, and the everyday rules that keep the privilege valid.
Utah disabled placards come in two forms. One is a paper placard, and the other is a durable plastic placard. Both allow the holder to park in accessible spaces when displayed correctly. The paper version has no fee, as the durable version carries a small charge for each placard. A placard belongs to the person, not to a car, so it can travel between vehicles. That difference matters for households with more than one car. The sections below describe forms, costs, display rules, and usual questions.
How to Apply for a Utah Disabled Plate or Placard
Start with Form TC-842. A physician completes the certification portion, and the applicant provides the identifying details. Drivers often compare types of plates before choosing a design. Bring the finished form to a DMV office or follow the submission method the form lists. Staff review the paperwork, check the details, and describe whether a plate or a placard fits the request. The office can say whether anything is missing, as plate orders arrive by mail later. A complete form is the difference between one visit and three.
Utah disabled plates and placards:
Gather the Forms and Details
Have the completed TC-842 on hand before you visit an office. Check that the physician signed the certification section and that your name matches your identity document. A current address helps the office match the request to your record. Bring the vehicle details if you want a plate rather than a placard.
- Form TC-842 with the physician certification signed
- Identification that matches your name and address
- Vehicle details for the car that will carry the plate
- Payment for any plate or durable placard charge
Choose a Plate or a Placard
The choice changes how the privilege travels. A disabled plate stays on one registered vehicle and cannot move to another car. A placard stays with the person and can be used in any vehicle that person drives or rides in. Households with one car often pick the plate, as people who ride with others often pick a placard.
Submit the Request
Submit the form at a DMV office or through the method printed on the form. Staff review the certification and the identity details, then record the decision. The office can tell you when a placard is ready. Plates are produced and mailed, so allow time for delivery before you plan to use the plate on the road.
After the Request Is Approved
Once approved, check the spelling of your name and the plate number before you leave. Ask how a replacement works if the placard is later lost. Keep the paperwork in a safe place, since a copy can speed up a replacement request. Plate buyers should watch for a mailed package and confirm the address on file.
Disabled Plates and Placards in Utah
Utah issues one type of disabled plate and two types of placards. The plate is a metal license plate for a registered vehicle. The placards are a paper version and a durable plastic version. Each option serves a different need. The plate suits a car that the holder uses most often. The placards suit people who move between cars, ride with family, or use rental vehicles. A household with two cars usually keeps one placard and moves it as needed.
Disabled Plates
A disabled plate looks like a standard Utah plate but carries the international symbol of use. It is tied to the vehicle registration, so a sale or a vehicle change alters the arrangement. Utah issues one plate per vehicle, and it goes on the rear. The plate is made after the request is approved and then mailed.
Paper Placards
The paper placard is a printed permit that hangs inside the vehicle. Utah does not charge a fee for it. It is a practical choice for someone who does not want to change a license plate. The paper version still requires the same physician certification as every other option.
Durable Placards
The durable placard is a plastic permit built to last longer than the paper version. Utah charges a small fee for each one. People who expect to use a placard for years often choose this option. It follows the same display rules as the paper version and can move between vehicles.
How the Options Compare
The table below puts the three options side by side. It shows what each one belongs to, where it is displayed, and how the charge is handled. A fast look makes the tradeoffs clear before you fill out the form.
| Option | Belongs To | Where It Is Displayed | Charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disabled plate | Registered vehicle | Rear of the vehicle | Ask the DMV about plate costs |
| Paper placard | The person | Rearview mirror or dashboard | No fee |
| Durable placard | The person | Rearview mirror or dashboard | $3.00 each |
Who Qualifies for a Utah Disabled Placard
Qualification rests on a physician certification rather than a self-assessment. A physician reviews the person’s condition and completes the certification portion of Form TC-842. The DMV then checks that the form is complete and that the applicant’s details match state records. The process is paperwork driven, so a complete form matters more than a long description at the counter. A missing signature or an outdated form sends the applicant back for a second visit. Check the form date before submitting, since an older version may not be accepted at the counter. A current form avoids a second trip and a second signature.
The Role of Form TC-842
Form TC-842 is the certification document for Utah disabled plates and placards. The physician fills out the certification section, and the applicant completes the identifying details. The form connects the medical judgment to the DMV record. Without a signed certification, the office cannot approve a plate or a placard request.
Physician Certification
The physician signs to confirm that the person meets the standard for a permit. That signature carries weight, and the office may follow up if a section is blank or unclear. Applicants should not alter the certified section after the physician signs it. A clean, complete form reduces delays for everyone involved.
What the DMV Reviews
Office staff check identity, address, and the completed certification. They and confirm that the vehicle details match the registration when a plate is requested. A missing signature or a mismatched name can stall a request. Staff can describe what to correct and whether a new form is needed.
- Name and address that match state records
- A signed physician certification on the form
- Vehicle details that match the registration
- Any identity document the office requests
What a Utah Disabled Placard Costs
Cost depends on the option you choose. Utah does not charge for the paper disabled parking placard. The durable plastic placard costs a small amount for each one issued. Disabled plates are ordered through the plate process, and the office can confirm any charge that applies.
Paper Placard Costs
The paper placard carries no fee. That makes it the lowest-cost path for a person who needs a permit and does not need a plate. There is no charge for the paper itself, and the office issues it with the approval. Ask staff about how long the paper version tends to last if you plan to rely on it.
Durable Placard Costs
The durable placard carries a small fee for each placard issued. A household that needs two durable placards pays for two. The charge covers the plastic permit, which is designed to hold up better than paper. Keep the receipt with your vehicle papers in case a question comes up later.
Plate Costs
Plate charges are separate from placard charges. The office can confirm what applies to your order before you commit. Ask at the counter or review the plate information the state provides. A plate order and follows the normal registration process for the vehicle that will carry it. The table below lists the verified placard amounts.
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Paper disabled parking placard | No fee | Printed permit issued at no charge |
| Durable disabled placard | $3.00 each | Plastic version made for longer use |
How to Display a Utah Disabled Placard
Display rules are simple but strict. A placard must hang from the rearview mirror or rest on the dashboard where it can be seen through the windshield. The replacement page covers lost and damaged plates. A disabled plate needs no display action since it is mounted on the vehicle. Improper display can turn a valid permit into a citation, so take a moment to place the placard correctly before leaving the car.
Hanging From the Mirror
The rearview mirror is the usual spot for a placard. Hang the permit so the printed side faces out and stays readable. If the permit blocks your view, take it down as the car is moving and hang it again when you park. A mirror placement keeps the permit visible to a parking officer walking past.
Placing It on the Dashboard
A dashboard placement works when the mirror is crowded or the permit hangs poorly. Set the placard face up on the dashboard where a parking officer can read it. Do not cover it with papers or a sunshade. A fast check from outside the car tells you whether it is visible.
- Hang the placard from the rearview mirror with the printed side facing out
- Or lay it face up on the dashboard where it can be read
- Keep the permit visible and free of papers or shades
- Leave a disabled plate mounted on the rear of the vehicle
When a Plate Is on the Vehicle
A disabled plate needs no extra display. It is already mounted on the rear of the registered vehicle. Drivers and passengers do not need to add anything to the windshield. If the plate is damaged or hard to read, ask the DMV about a replacement before a parking officer raises a question.
Disabled Plates and Vehicle Registration
A disabled plate is part of the vehicle registration record. Utah issues one plate per vehicle, and the plate goes on the rear. The plate is produced after approval and mailed to the address on file. Since the plate follows the car, selling the car or changing vehicles has consequences for the plate. Keep the registration and the plate record consistent.
One Plate per Vehicle
Utah issues a single disabled plate for a registered vehicle rather than a pair. The plate goes on the rear, where parking officers and law enforcement expect to see it. A second vehicle needs its own plate request and its own record. The plate number ties back to the vehicle, not to the person who requested it.
Rear Placement
The rear mounting point is the required spot for the plate. Do not mount it on the front bumper or keep it inside the car. A plate that sits in a window is not the same as a mounted plate. Keep the plate clean enough that the symbol and numbers are easy to read.
Mailed Plates
Plates are mailed rather than handed over at the counter. They are produced after approval, so the wait can run past the day of the request. Confirm the mailing address before the order goes through. A wrong address can send the plate back and add another wait.
Registration Changes
Moving the plate to another vehicle is not a simple swap. The plate is tied to the registration, so a vehicle change needs attention from the office. Ask what applies before you sell a car that carries a disabled plate. The same applies when a registration lapses or a title changes hands.
Replacement Placards and Record Changes
Placards get lost, damaged, or left in another car. Utah allows a replacement request at a DMV office or by email to dmv@utah.gov. The request should identify the holder and describe what happened to the original. A replacement gives the holder a new permit, but the old placard should not be used once it is replaced.
Lost or Stolen Placards
Report a lost or stolen placard as soon as you notice it is missing. A replacement request can be made at an office or by email. The holder should say whether the placard was lost or taken, since the office records the reason. Using a placard that was reported stolen can create problems for the holder.
- The name and address of the placard holder
- The placard number if it is still readable
- A short note about how the placard was lost or damaged
- A phone number or email where the office can reach you
Damaged Placards
A cracked or faded placard may be hard to read, and an unreadable permit invites a second look from parking staff. Bring the damaged item to an office or describe the damage in an email. The office will describe whether a new placard is needed. Keep the damaged one until the replacement arrives.
Address and Name Changes
A new address or a legal name change should reach the DMV record. Mailed plates and notices depend on an accurate address. Bring identification that supports the change when you visit an office. Updated details and make a future replacement easier to process. Keep a copy of the request until the record shows the new information.
Vehicles That Change Hands
When a vehicle with a disabled plate is sold, the plate’s status needs review. The new owner cannot simply inherit the plate and its privilege. Ask the office how to handle the plate before the sale closes. A clean record protects both the seller and the buyer.
Misuse of a Placard or Plate
A disabled plate or placard is a limited privilege, and Utah treats misuse seriously. Letting someone else use a placard to park in an accessible space can lead to a citation. The holder can and lose the privilege. The rules protect use for people who need it, so keep the permit with the person it was issued to.
How Misuse Happens
Most problems start with a small shortcut. A family member borrows the placard for a fast errand. A driver uses a placard after the holder has moved away. A plate stays on a car after it is sold. Each of these choices can be treated as misuse, even when no harm was intended.
- Using a placard when the holder is not in the vehicle
- Lending a placard to a friend or coworker
- Keeping a plate on a vehicle that has been sold
- Copying or altering a placard
Citations and Penalties
A citation can follow a single misuse report. The office can and review the permit and revoke the privilege. A citation and a permit review are separate outcomes, and one does not rule out the other. A driver who receives a citation should read the notice and respond by the stated date.
Protecting the Privilege
Keep the placard with you rather than in a glove box that others can open. The renewal page explains the annual cycle. Store it out of sight when it is not in use. Report a lost or stolen placard right away. Ask the DMV how to close the record when the holder no longer needs the permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions come up often at the counter and on the phone. The answers below summarize the main rules for plates, placards, forms, and fees. Each answer is brief, and a DMV office can confirm details for a specific case.
Does a Utah disabled placard cost anything?
The paper disabled parking placard has no fee. The durable plastic placard costs a small amount for each one issued. A household that orders two durable placards pays for both. Ask the office to confirm the charge before you pay, and keep the receipt with your vehicle papers.
Can I use my placard in more than one vehicle?
Yes. A placard belongs to the person, not to a vehicle. You can hang it in a car you own, a car you borrow, or a rental. Take it with you when you leave the vehicle. A disabled plate works the other way and stays with the registered car.
What form does my physician complete?
Your physician completes the certification on Form TC-842. The form records the confirmation that the DMV needs before it issues a plate or placard. Bring the signed form to an office or submit it as directed. A blank or unsigned section can delay the request.
Where should I put the placard when I park?
Hang it from the rearview mirror with the printed side facing out, or place it face up on the dashboard. It must be readable from outside the vehicle. Do not cover it with papers. A plate needs no display action since it is mounted on the rear of the car.
What happens if someone misuses a placard?
Misuse can lead to a citation and to loss of the privilege. Lending a placard, using one when the holder is absent, or keeping a plate on a sold car are usual examples. Report a lost or stolen placard right away so the record reflects what happened.