REG 195 is the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) application for a disabled person (DP) parking placard or DP license plates. You use it for a permanent, temporary or travel placard, for DP plates, or to reassign existing DP plates to another vehicle. A licensed medical provider must certify the disability on pages 2 and 3. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the DMV publishes the original form at its website.
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What is REG 195?
Application for Disabled Person Placard or Plates (REG 195) is the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) form used to apply for a disabled person (DP) parking placard or DP license plates, with a medical provider's certification of the disability.
The three-page form has six sections. Section 1 identifies the applicant or organization. Section 2 selects what you are requesting: a permanent DP parking placard, a temporary DP parking placard, a travel DP parking placard, DP license plates, or a reassignment of existing DP plates. Section 3 describes the vehicle for plates applicants. Section 4 is the applicant's or organization representative's certification and signature. Sections 5, 6 and 6A are completed by the medical provider.
The form describes each type this way:
- Temporary placard: for temporary disabilities, valid for up to 180 days or the date the medical professional notes, whichever is less.
- Permanent placard: for permanent disabilities, valid for two years and expiring June 30 of every odd-numbered year.
- Travel placard: for nonresidents who plan to travel in California and have a permanent disability and/or DP plates.
- DP plates: for permanent disabilities, assigned only to vehicles registered in the name of the qualified person.
REG 195 is not used to replace a lost, stolen or damaged placard or plates; the DMV directs those requests to the Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, and Documents (REG 156). Disabled veterans with a service-connected disability may be eligible for Disabled Veteran License Plates, which also require a completed DMV REG 256 A form.
Who needs to file REG 195?
You may qualify for a DP parking placard or plates if you have impaired mobility from losing the use of one or more lower extremities or both hands, a diagnosed disease that substantially impairs or interferes with mobility, or if you cannot move without an assistive device. You may also qualify with specific documented visual problems, including lower vision or partial sightedness, or with specific cardiovascular or respiratory illnesses (CVC §§295.5, 5007, 22511.55).
Who uses which option, according to the form:
- California residents with a temporary disability: the temporary DP parking placard.
- California residents with a permanent disability: the permanent placard, DP plates, or both.
- Nonresidents who travel in California and have a permanent disability and/or DP plates: the travel placard.
- Current holders of DP plates, a permanent placard or Disabled Veteran License Plates: the plates reassignment, or a travel placard, which is for those who have a permanent placard or plates but not both.
- Organizations involved in transporting disabled persons, when the vehicle is used solely for that purpose: DP plates, with an authorized representative signing.
You do not have to own or drive the vehicle to use a placard. The form states that an individual may not have more than one permanent DP parking placard. Do not use REG 195 to replace a lost, stolen or damaged placard or plates; use REG 156.
When to file REG 195
Submit REG 195 when you need a new DP placard or plates, or need to reassign existing DP plates; the form sets no calendar deadline for a first application. Timing rules attach to the placard types. A temporary placard is valid for up to 180 days or the date noted by your qualifying licensed medical professional, whichever is less, and cannot be renewed more than six times consecutively. A permanent placard is valid for two years and expires on June 30 of every odd-numbered year; you receive two automatic renewals covering a 4-year period, and your third renewal requires you to reapply, though a new certification is not required. DP plates and placards must be surrendered to the DMV within 60 days of the death of the disabled person.
Documents you need
- A copy of proof of your legal name and date of birth, such as a valid driver license or identification card, or any document necessary to apply for a California DL or ID card. Required with every application.
- Pages 2 and 3 of REG 195 with the medical provider's certification (Sections 5, 6 and 6A), signed in original ink by a qualifying licensed provider.
- For Disabled Veteran License Plates: a completed DMV REG 256 A form and medical certification or documentation from a county veterans service officer or the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying disabled veteran status under CVC §295.7.
How to fill out REG 195
Read page 1 before you start
Page 1 explains eligibility, appropriate use and the penalties for misuse. Section 4 certifies that you have read it.
Enter applicant or organization information
Section 1: true full name (last, first, middle) or organization name, date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY, individuals only), physical address, driver license/ID card number (individuals only), city, county, state, ZIP code and telephone number. Add a mailing address only if it differs.
Select the type of placard or plates
Section 2: check all that apply: Permanent DP Parking Placard, Temporary DP Parking Placard, Travel Parking DP Placard, Disabled Person License Plates, or Disabled Person License Plates Reassignment. Reassignment requires an existing DP placard, Disabled Veteran License Plates or DP plates.
Answer the prior-issuance question
Check Yes or No for whether you were ever issued DP plates, Disabled Veteran License Plates or a permanent DP placard in California. If Yes, enter the plate or placard number.
Describe the vehicle for plates
Section 3, plates applicants only: license plate number, VIN, make and year. Organizations confirm the vehicle is used exclusively to transport disabled persons.
Answer the weight fee exemption question
For a commercial vehicle, check Yes or No on the weight fee exemption request. It applies to ONE commercial vehicle weighing less than 8,001 pounds unladen.
Sign and date Section 4
The applicant or the organization's authorized representative signs in original ink and enters the date. The email address is optional.
Complete the medical provider's information
Section 5: the provider's name, medical license number, address, room or suite, daytime telephone, city, county, state and ZIP code.
Have the provider certify the disability
Section 6: the provider prints the patient name, checks permanent, temporary or travel with end dates where required, and checks item 1-8. For items 4-8, the provider describes the illness or disability, not symptoms, in Section 6A.
Have the provider sign Section 6A
The provider checks the license type, then signs, prints the name or stamp, and dates it in original ink.
Review, print, sign and download
Check that all three pages are complete and legible and that no field is altered. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, sign it in ink, and assemble it with your proof of legal name and birthdate as described under How to submit.
How to submit REG 195
You can submit a completed REG 195 in person or by mail, and the form also lists an online address.
- In person: visit a DMV field office. The form says no appointment is needed.
- By mail: DMV Placard, P.O. Box 997600 M/S D238, Sacramento, CA 95899-7600.
- Online: the form lists virtual.dmv.ca.gov.
Every package must include a copy of proof of your legal name and date of birth, such as a valid driver license or identification card, or the application will be rejected. All three pages must be included: the application cannot be processed without pages 2 and 3. Only original signatures are accepted, with no photocopies or faxes. The form marks the temporary placard as carrying a fee and the permanent placard, travel placard and DP plates as no fee; the amount is printed on the form, and the DMV can be reached at 1-800-777-0133. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Sending the application without a copy of proof of legal name and date of birth, which causes the application to be rejected.
- Submitting only page 1 or page 2: pages 2 and 3 are both required, and the application cannot be processed without them.
- Completing the form in pencil or making alterations, crossovers or whiteouts (even initialed ones), which void the form.
- Sending a photocopied or faxed signature; only original signatures are accepted.
- Having the provider write only an abbreviation ("R60.9") or symptoms ("trouble walking", "back pain") in Section 6A for items 4-8; these descriptions are not acceptable.
- Getting certification from a provider outside the form's limits, for example a chiropractor certifying items 2-5, or an optometrist certifying anything other than item 1.
- Entering a temporary placard end date longer than six months, or a travel placard longer than 30 days for a California resident or 90 days for a nonresident.
- Using REG 195 to replace a lost, stolen or damaged placard or plates instead of REG 156.
Frequently asked questions
What is the REG 195 form used for?
REG 195 is the California DMV application for a disabled person parking placard or DP license plates. You can also use it to request a plates reassignment to a different vehicle. It includes a medical provider's certification of the disability on pages 2 and 3.
Who qualifies for a disabled person placard in California?
You may qualify if you have lost the use of one or more lower extremities or both hands, have a diagnosed disease that substantially impairs mobility, or cannot move without an assistive device. Specific documented visual problems and specific cardiovascular or respiratory illnesses may also qualify.
Does a doctor have to sign the REG 195?
Yes. A licensed medical provider completes Sections 5, 6 and 6A. Which provider can certify depends on the item: for example, a chiropractor may certify items 6-8 only, and an optometrist may certify item 1 only. A doctor's certification is not required for some prior holders, such as when the earlier placard is still on record.
Where do I submit REG 195?
Take it to a DMV field office (no appointment needed) or mail it to DMV Placard, P.O. Box 997600 M/S D238, Sacramento, CA 95899-7600. The form also lists virtual.dmv.ca.gov. Include a copy of proof of your legal name and date of birth.
Is there a fee for a disabled person placard or plates?
The form marks the temporary placard as carrying a fee, and the permanent placard, travel placard and DP plates as no fee. The temporary placard amount is printed on the form; for questions call DMV Customer Service at 1-800-777-0133.
How long is a DP placard valid?
A temporary placard is valid up to 180 days or the date noted by the medical professional, whichever is less, and cannot be renewed more than six times consecutively. A permanent placard is valid two years and expires June 30 of every odd-numbered year.
Can someone else use my disabled placard?
No. The placard cannot be loaned to anyone, including family members or friends, even if that person is also disabled. Misuse can result in confiscation and cancellation of the placard, and allowing use when you are not in the vehicle is illegal.
What do I do with a placard after the holder dies?
DP plates and parking placards must be surrendered to the DMV within 60 days of the death of the disabled person.
Can I fill out REG 195 online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the form with the DMV. You must still sign in original ink and submit it through the DMV's channels.
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