How to Get a Handicap Parking Permit in South Carolina
What a South Carolina handicap parking permit does
A South Carolina handicap parking permit lets you park in designated accessible spaces that are closer to building entrances. The permit is a placard you hang from your rearview mirror or a license plate you display on your vehicle. You can use it in any state that honors the national standard for accessible parking — which is all 50 states.
The permit does not waive parking fees or meter time. It only reserves the right to use marked accessible spaces. If you park in an accessible space without a valid permit, you can be ticketed and towed, even if you have a disability.
South Carolina issues three types of permits: permanent (no expiration), temporary (usually six months to two years), and removable placards that work on any vehicle you drive. The type you receive depends on your condition and how long your doctor expects it to last.
Key Takeaways
- You must have a doctor's certification that your condition limits your mobility, and you apply through your county's Department of Motor Vehicles office, not online.
- Permanent permits are issued when a doctor certifies the condition is permanent; temporary permits require renewal every one to two years.
- The permit costs nothing, but you must bring your driver's license, vehicle registration, and the completed medical certification form to the DMV in person.
- A removable placard works on any vehicle you drive; a license plate permit is tied to one specific vehicle registration.
Medical certification your doctor must complete
Your doctor — a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or chiropractor licensed in South Carolina — must complete the Application for Disabled Person Parking Permit form (SCDMV Form 4007). This form asks the doctor to confirm that you have a condition that limits your ability to walk or that causes severe pain when walking.
The form does not require a specific diagnosis. Your doctor only needs to certify that one of these applies to you: you cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest; you cannot walk without assistance from another person or a mobility device; you have a severe respiratory or cardiac condition; you are missing one or both legs; you are blind or have severe vision loss; or you have a permanent disability that affects your ability to walk.
Your doctor must also indicate whether the condition is permanent or temporary. If temporary, they write in how long they expect the condition to last. You can ask your doctor's office to complete this form during a regular appointment or a phone visit. There is no charge for the form itself, though your doctor's office may charge an office visit fee if you need an appointment to obtain it.
How to apply at your county DMV office
Take the completed medical certification form, your driver's license, and your vehicle registration to your county's Department of Motor Vehicles office. You cannot apply by mail or online. Bring the original medical form — a photocopy is not accepted.
The DMV staff will review your documents on the spot. If everything is in order, they will issue your permit immediately. If you are applying for a removable placard, you leave with the placard that day. If you are applying for a license plate permit, the DMV will order the plate and mail it to you within two to three weeks.
You do not need an appointment at most South Carolina DMV offices, but wait times vary. Call your county office ahead of time to ask about typical wait times and whether they accept walk-ins or require appointments. Some offices are busier on certain days of the week.
Permanent versus temporary permits
A permanent permit has no expiration date. Your doctor must certify that your condition is permanent and will not improve. Once issued, you keep the permit for life unless you lose it or it is damaged beyond use. You do not need to renew it or provide updated medical certification.
A temporary permit expires on a date your doctor writes on the medical form. Most temporary permits last six months to two years, depending on what your doctor expects. When your permit is about to expire, you must return to the DMV with a new medical certification form from your doctor to renew it. The DMV will not renew a temporary permit without a fresh doctor's form — you cannot simply ask for an extension.
If your condition improves or resolves before your temporary permit expires, you should return it to the DMV. Continuing to use an expired permit or one you are no longer may have access to to can result in a ticket.
Placard versus license plate permit
A removable placard hangs from your rearview mirror and works on any vehicle you drive — your own car, a borrowed car, a rental car, or a family member's vehicle. You simply move the placard from one vehicle to another. Placards are useful if you drive different vehicles or if someone else sometimes drives you.
A license plate permit is a special license plate that is registered to one specific vehicle. It stays on that vehicle and does not move. License plate permits are useful if you have one vehicle you drive regularly and want a permanent, visible marker. Some people prefer the license plate because it is harder to forget or lose than a placard.
You can have both a placard and a license plate permit at the same time if you want — for example, a placard for when someone else drives you and a license plate for your own vehicle. You would apply for each separately at the DMV.
What happens if your permit is lost, stolen, or damaged
If your placard is lost, stolen, or damaged, return to your county DMV office with your driver's license and vehicle registration. You do not need a new medical certification — the DMV has your original on file. The staff will issue a replacement placard on the spot at no charge.
If your license plate permit is lost, stolen, or damaged, the process is the same. Bring your driver's license and registration to the DMV, and they will order a replacement plate. Replacement plates are also free.
If your placard or plate is stolen, you may want to report the theft to your local police department, especially if you are concerned someone else might use it fraudulently. Provide the police report number to the DMV if you have one, though it is not required to get a replacement.
Using your permit in other states and what to avoid
Your South Carolina handicap permit is honored in all 50 states and U.S. territories. You can park in accessible spaces anywhere you travel. However, the rules for how you display the permit vary slightly by state — some states require the placard to be visible from outside the vehicle, and some have specific rules about where it hangs. When you travel, check the state's DMV website to confirm the display rules.
Do not lend your permit to someone else, even a family member. The permit is issued to you and is only valid when you are the person using the accessible space. If someone else parks in an accessible space using your permit, both of you can be ticketed. The person driving can be fined, and you can be fined for allowing your permit to be misused.
Do not park in an accessible space if you do not have your permit with you, even if you have a disability. The space is reserved for people who display a valid permit. Parking without displaying the permit can result in a ticket and tow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a handicap permit if I have a temporary condition like a broken leg?
Yes. Your doctor can certify that your condition is temporary and will last, for example, eight weeks or three months. The DMV will issue a temporary permit that expires on the date your doctor writes. When the permit expires, you return it to the DMV or stop using it.
What if my doctor will not complete the form?
Your doctor may decline if they do not believe your condition meets the criteria. If you disagree, you can ask for a second opinion from another licensed physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or chiropractor in South Carolina. You can also contact your county DMV office to ask what documentation they will accept.
Do I have to pay for the permit?
No. The permit itself is free. Your doctor's office may charge a fee for the appointment or the time to complete the form, but that is separate from the DMV permit. The DMV does not charge for issuing or replacing permits.
Can I use someone else's handicap permit if I am driving them?
No. The permit is only valid when the person it was issued to is using the accessible space. If you are driving someone else and they have a permit, they can use it. If you are driving and you do not have your own permit, you cannot park in an accessible space, even if your passenger has one.
What do I do if my permit expires?
If you have a temporary permit, take a new medical certification form from your doctor to your county DMV office along with your driver's license and registration. The DMV will issue a new permit. If you have a permanent permit, it does not expire and you do not need to renew it.