Indiana Disabled License Plates

License Plates for qualifying Indiana motorists with disabilities provide a recognized way to identify vehicles registered under the state’s disability-related plate programs. Eligibility, documentation, plate options, and registration requirements can vary based on the applicant’s circumstances and the type of plate requested. Indiana offers disability-related plate options for qualifying vehicle owners, with specific rules for application and use. This page explains the main requirements, application information, eligibility factors, and vehicle registration details associated with disabled plates in Indiana.

License Plates issued for disability-related purposes in Indiana can help eligible motorists meet vehicle identification and registration requirements. Applicants may need qualifying documentation and information connected with the vehicle and registration. Different disability plate options can have separate eligibility rules, fees, and application procedures. Knowing the required paperwork and current state requirements can help applicants prepare their application correctly. This information covers Indiana disability plate types, eligibility, documentation, fees, renewal requirements, and important rules for using these plates legally.

Indiana Disabled Plate Application

The Indiana disabled plate application process requires eligible applicants to provide personal information, disability-related certification, and vehicle information where applicable. Indiana BMV uses State Form 42070 for applications involving disability parking permits and Indiana License Plate options. Applicants should use the current version of the form and follow the instructions provided by the BMV, because requirements and forms can be updated.

• State Form 42070 — Disability License Plate or Parking Placard Application:
  • https://www.in.gov/dva/files/disabledplateorplacard.pdf

Get State Form 42070

Start by obtaining the current State Form 42070 from the Indiana BMV. The form is used for applications related to disability parking privileges and disability license plates. Before completing the application, verify that you have the latest version rather than relying on an older saved copy or third-party version. The current form should contain the applicable instructions and certification sections needed for your Indiana disability license plate application.

Complete Applicant Information

Enter the applicant’s identifying information accurately on the form. This generally includes the applicant’s name, address, date of birth, and other identifying information requested by the application. Make sure the information matches the applicant’s official records and is readable. Errors or incomplete information can delay processing. If the applicant’s mailing or residential information has changed, use the information requested by the current form rather than assuming an older application can be reused.

Complete the Disability Plate Section

The disability section identifies the type of disability parking privilege or plate being requested. Applicants must select or complete the applicable option based on their circumstances. Eligibility can involve qualifying physical limitations or other conditions recognized under Indiana requirements. The appropriate certification must be completed according to the instructions on State Form 42070. Applicants should not select an eligibility category simply because it appears to be the closest option; the information should accurately reflect the qualifying condition and required certification.

Complete the Vehicle Owner Section if Required

The person applying for an Indiana disability license plate does not necessarily have to be the registered owner of the vehicle. Indiana’s application specifically addresses situations where a vehicle is owned by someone other than the person with the qualifying disability. This can apply when the vehicle is regularly used to transport the disabled individual. In such cases, the vehicle-owner portion of the form should be completed as required. This distinction is important because eligibility is not limited only to vehicles titled directly in the disabled applicant’s name.

Obtain Medical Certification When Required

Depending on the applicant’s circumstances and the selected disability qualification, medical certification may be required. The appropriate licensed medical professional must complete the applicable certification portion of the form when required. Applicants should make sure the certification is complete and contains the information requested by the current State Form 42070. An incomplete medical certification can prevent the application from being processed until the missing information is provided.

Submit the Application and Payment

After completing the application and obtaining any required certification, submit the form through the applicable Indiana BMV process. Depending on the transaction, submission may involve a BMV branch or mail submission. Include the required supporting documentation and applicable payment with the application. Review the form before submission to make sure all required sections have been completed and signed. The BMV will process the application according to the eligibility and documentation requirements that apply to the requested disability plate Indiana transaction.

Types of Indiana Disability Plates and Placards

Indiana offers disability license plates and parking placards for eligible individuals with qualifying disabilities. The main options include the standard Indiana disability plate, the newer Disability Blackout license plate, and disability parking placards. The plate or placard available to an applicant depends on the qualifying disability, vehicle, and purpose of the credential. A disability license plate can provide accessible parking privileges when properly displayed, while a parking placard can be used in an eligible vehicle regardless of who owns the vehicle.

Standard Disability License Plate

The standard Indiana disability license plate is available to people who meet the BMV’s qualifying disability requirements. Eligibility can include a permanent physical disability requiring a wheelchair, walker, braces, or crutches; permanent loss of use of one or both legs; severe mobility restrictions; permanent blindness or visual impairment; or specific diagnosed levels of autism spectrum disorder. A person who already has a permanent disability parking placard may also qualify for a disability plate. The plate can be used on eligible passenger vehicles, trucks, motorcycles, and other listed vehicle categories.

Disability Blackout License Plate

The Disability Blackout license plate is the newest major addition to Indiana’s disability plate options. The Indiana BMV announced the plate on February 9, 2026, with availability beginning February 13, 2026. It uses the Blackout design with an all-black background and white lettering, while also displaying the International Symbol of Access. The plate is available to eligible customers for passenger motor vehicles, trucks with a declared gross weight of 11,000 pounds or less, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles. The current BMV plate information also lists the Disability Blackout as a standard plate option and provides personalization availability.

Permanent Disability Parking Placard

A permanent disability parking placard is available to an eligible person with a qualifying permanent disability. It does not normally expire unless a health care provider certifies that the disability is no longer permanent. The current BMV fee chart lists a permanent disability parking placard as free.

Temporary Disability Parking Placard

A temporary disability parking placard is issued for a qualifying temporary disability. The placard expires on the date specified by the health care provider or one year from issuance, whichever occurs first. The current BMV fee chart lists the temporary disability parking placard fee as $5.

Which Vehicles Can Display an Indiana Disability Plate?

Indiana BMV currently lists several vehicle categories that may display a disability license plate when the owner or applicant meets the disability plate requirements. These include:

• Passenger vehicles
• Trucks with a declared gross weight of less than 11,000 pounds
• Mini-trucks
• Motorcycles, including autocycles
• Motor driven cycles (MDC)
• Recreational vehicles (RV)

This means vehicle eligibility is broader than passenger cars alone. A qualifying applicant may use an Indiana disability plate on a passenger vehicle, eligible truck, motorcycle, mini-truck, motor driven cycle, or recreational vehicle. The BMV’s current disability page specifically lists these categories, while individual vehicle registration requirements still apply.

Disabled Hoosier Veteran License Plates

The Disabled Hoosier Veteran (DHV) license plate is a separate Indiana plate option for veterans whose qualifying service-connected disability meets the state’s requirements. Unlike the standard Indiana disability plate, the DHV plate is specifically connected to qualifying military service and a service-connected disability. Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs information states that the plate also provides handicapped parking privileges when the required accessibility symbol is displayed.

Who Qualifies?

A veteran may qualify for a Disabled Hoosier Veteran plate if, as a result of military service, the veteran has one of the qualifying conditions established by Indiana law. These include:

• Loss of sight in both eyes or qualifying permanent visual impairment.
• Loss of one or both feet or permanent loss of their use.
• Loss of one or both hands or permanent loss of their use.
• A VA-rated physical condition that prevents the veteran from walking without pain or difficulty.
• A VA disability rating of at least 50%, with at least 60% of that rating attributable to a mobility disability, while receiving service-related compensation.

The eligibility is based on a service-connected disability. The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs reviews the supporting documentation before the applicant proceeds with the plate transaction.

What Documents Are Required?

Applicants generally need a VA disability award letter showing the individual disability ratings. The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs also states that military discharge documentation, such as a DD Form 214, may be required. For Indiana Military & Veteran License Plates, the official veteran plate certification form specifically asks DHV applicants to include the VA Disability Award Letter showing the individual conditions and ratings.

Disabled Veteran Plate vs. Standard Disability Plate

The main difference is eligibility. An Indiana disability plate is based on qualifying disability criteria certified through the BMV process, while a Disabled Hoosier Veteran plate requires a qualifying service-connected disability resulting from military service. DHV applicants must provide veteran and disability documentation through the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs.

Indiana Disability Plate Renewal

Indiana disability plate renewal can be completed through several BMV channels. The current BMV disability information specifically lists renewal through myBMV.com, a BMV Connect kiosk, by phone, by mail, or at any BMV branch. Phone renewal requires the phone access code provided on the renewal notice.

Available options include:

• myBMV.com
• BMV Connect kiosk
• Phone
• Mail
• BMV branch

The available method can depend on the registration and plate transaction. If an online or kiosk transaction is unavailable, the BMV may direct the applicant to another renewal method.

Replacing an Indiana Disabled License Plate or Placard

If an Indiana disability plate is lost, damaged, or stolen, the owner should use the BMV’s applicable replacement process rather than continuing to display a damaged or missing credential. Replacement requirements can depend on whether the item being replaced is a license plate or parking placard and on the circumstances of the replacement. For disability plates and placards, the BMV’s current application process uses State Form 42070 for disability credentials, while the mail-in checklist identifies the supporting information that must accompany an application. Applicants should use the current form and provide complete information because incomplete or altered applications can be returned. For a duplicate or replacement placard, follow the current BMV instructions for the specific placard type. Do not use an expired, damaged, or otherwise invalid placard as a substitute for a valid credential.

Disability Parking Rules and Proper Plate Use

Indiana disability plates and parking placards are connected to disability parking privileges. Eligible users may park in spaces reserved for individuals with disabilities when the required plate or placard is properly displayed. Accessible spaces are generally identified by the International Symbol of Accessibility and corresponding signs or pavement markings.

Drivers should remember several important rules:

• Use a disability plate or placard only when the eligibility requirements are met.
• Properly display the plate or placard according to Indiana requirements.
• Do not use an expired parking placard.
• Do not park in a reserved disability space without the required valid credential.
• Do not park in the diagonally striped access aisle next to an accessible parking space.
• The striped access area is prohibited for parking even when a valid disability placard is displayed.

How Much Does an Indiana Disability License Plate Cost?

The Indiana disability plate cost depends on whether you are getting a disability license plate or a disability parking placard. The current Indiana BMV materials list different charges for these credentials. These amounts should be considered separately from the standard vehicle registration fees and applicable taxes that may also apply.

Exact Indiana Disability Plate and Placard Fees

Indiana Disability License Plate vs. Disability Parking Placard

A disability plate Indiana credential and an Indiana disability parking placard both provide access to designated disability parking spaces when properly used, but they work differently. A license plate is assigned to a specific vehicle, while a placard is portable and can be displayed in different vehicles transporting the eligible person. Indiana BMV allows eligible applicants to apply for a disability license plate, a parking placard, or both using the appropriate application process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Indiana Disabled License Plates FAQs cover the most common questions about eligibility, applications, fees, medical certification, and proper use of disability plates. These answers explain who can qualify for an Indiana disability license plate, how to complete the application using State Form 42070, what fees may apply, and when a vehicle owner who is not disabled can obtain a plate for regularly transporting an eligible person.

Who qualifies for an Indiana disability license plate?

An Indiana disability license plate is available to applicants who meet the BMV’s disability eligibility requirements. Qualifying conditions can include certain permanent mobility limitations, loss of use of one or both legs, permanent blindness or visual impairment, and specified autism spectrum disorder diagnoses. Medical certification may be required to establish eligibility. A person who already has or qualifies for a permanent disability parking placard may also qualify for a disability license plate.

How do I apply for a disabled plate in Indiana?

To complete an Indiana disabled plate application, use the current State Form 42070, Application for Disability License Plate or Parking Placard. Complete the applicant and vehicle information and provide any required disability certification or supporting documentation. Depending on the transaction, the completed application can be submitted at a BMV branch or by mail. Use the current version of State Form 42070 because the BMV does not accept prior versions.

How much does an Indiana disability license plate cost?

The current Indiana disability plate materials list a $9.50 fee for changing a current plate to a disability license plate. This is the disability plate transaction fee and does not necessarily represent the complete cost of registering the vehicle. Standard registration fees and applicable taxes can be charged separately. A permanent disability parking placard is free, while a temporary placard has a $5 fee.

Do I need a doctor’s certification for an Indiana disability plate?

Medical certification may be required to establish eligibility for a disability license plate. The appropriate health care provider completes the disability certification portion of State Form 42070 when the applicant’s eligibility requires medical verification. However, certification requirements can differ based on how eligibility is established. For example, individuals who already qualify through certain existing disability credentials may have different documentation requirements.

Can someone who is not disabled get an Indiana disability plate?

Yes, in a specific situation. The registered vehicle owner does not necessarily have to be the person with the qualifying disability. Indiana allows another person to obtain a disability license plate for a vehicle that is regularly used to transport the disabled person, provided the disabled person meets the applicable eligibility requirements. The application must identify the disabled individual and provide the required information and certification. The plate remains associated with the eligible vehicle and must only be used in connection with the qualifying disability.