Mississippi Disability License Plates

License plates for drivers with qualifying disabilities can provide designated parking privileges and vehicle identification in Mississippi. The state offers disability plate options for eligible applicants who meet the required medical and vehicle registration conditions. Mississippi disability plates may be issued through the county Tax Collector, with supporting documentation required during the application process. Applicants may need a completed medical certification and valid vehicle registration information. Requirements can vary based on the type of disability plate requested and the applicant’s eligibility status.

License plates for disabled residents can make parking at designated spaces more convenient when the proper credentials are displayed on the registered vehicle. Mississippi provides disability-related plate options for people with qualifying mobility limitations, with specific requirements set by state law and the Mississippi Department of Revenue. The application process may involve medical certification, identification, vehicle details, and applicable registration fees. Knowing which form to use, where to submit it, and what documentation is required can help applicants prepare their disability plate application correctly.

How to Apply for Mississippi Disability License Plates

Applying for Mississippi disability license plates starts with the official Disabled Parking Application, Form 76-104. The same application can be used for a disabled license tag, permanent parking placard, or temporary parking placard. The medical portion must be completed by a licensed physician or nurse practitioner, and the completed application is submitted to the applicant’s county Tax Collector.

Get Form 76-104

The first step in a Mississippi Handicap Tag Application is obtaining Form 76-104, Disabled Parking Application. The form is available through the Mississippi Department of Revenue and county tax collector offices. Use the official DOR form for a disability plate application or parking placard. The form identifies the medical certification, applicant certification, and Tax Collector sections that must be completed.

• Mississippi Disabled Parking Application — Form 76-104:
  • https://www.dor.ms.gov/sites/default/files/tax-forms/motor-vehicle/76104021.pdf

Complete the Medical Certification

A licensed physician or nurse practitioner must complete the medical certification section. The medical professional certifies the qualifying condition and provides a signature, date, contact information, and the period during which the disability is expected to apply. This physician certification is used to establish eligibility for a disabled license tag or parking placard. The medical certification should be complete before the applicant takes the form to the county Tax Collector.

Complete the Applicant Section

The applicant completes the certification section after the medical portion is finished. The applicant confirms that the information on the Mississippi Handicap Placard Application or disability plate application is true and correct and agrees to comply with applicable Mississippi laws and rules. The applicant must provide the required signature and date. The form then contains the information needed for the Tax Collector to process the requested disabled parking permit or plate.

Submit the Application to Your County Tax Collector

Take the completed Mississippi Handicap Tag Application to the county Tax Collector for the county where the vehicle is registered. The county Tax Collector is the key local office for processing the application. Form 76-104 contains a section specifically designated for Tax Collector completion, including the requested permit or tag, expiration information, and official signature. Applicants seeking Mississippi disabled license plates should contact their county Tax Collector if they need confirmation of any additional registration documents required for their vehicle.

Pay Required Registration Taxes and Fees

Mississippi does not charge an additional issuance fee for the disabled license plate or placard itself. This does not mean every registration cost is waived. Regular vehicle taxes and registration fees still apply. The Mississippi Department of Revenue states that applicants must pay the regular taxes and registration fees connected with the vehicle. Those amounts can vary based on factors such as the vehicle type, value, city, and county.

Receive and Properly Display the Plate or Placard

After processing, the applicant receives the approved disabled license plate or disability placard. A removable disability placard is displayed from the vehicle’s rearview mirror when the qualifying person is driving or riding in the vehicle. Use the plate or placard only as permitted by Mississippi law when parking in disabled parking or accessible parking spaces. The designated space is intended for vehicles displaying the required identification, including the International Symbol of Access.

Who Qualifies for Disability License Plates?

Eligibility for Mississippi disability license plates is based on a qualifying disability that limits or impairs a person’s ability to walk. Mississippi uses Form 76-104, Disabled Parking Application, to document the medical condition and certify eligibility for a disability plate or handicap placard. The form identifies specific medical circumstances that can qualify a person for disabled parking privileges. A person does not qualify simply because of age or general mobility concerns; the medical condition must meet one of the qualifying standards stated on the application.

Qualifying Medical Conditions

A qualifying disability may include a condition that substantially limits walking ability. Form 76-104 identifies several circumstances that can support eligibility for disabled license plates or a handicap placard.

These include:

• The person cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest.
• The person cannot walk without using an assistive device, such as a brace, crutch, cane, prosthetic device, wheelchair, or another mobility aid.
• The person has a lung disease that significantly limits the ability to walk.
• The person requires portable oxygen to assist with a qualifying medical condition.
• The person has a qualifying cardiac condition that limits walking ability.
• The person has a severe walking limitation caused by an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition.

Medical Certification Requirement

Medical certification is a required part of the Mississippi disability plate application. A licensed physician or qualified nurse practitioner must complete the medical certification portion of Form 76-104. The medical professional certifies the applicant’s qualifying condition and provides the information needed to establish eligibility for disabled parking privileges. The applicant does not complete this medical section independently. The completed physician certification or nurse practitioner certification is submitted with the rest of the application to the appropriate county Tax Collector. If the medical certification does not establish a qualifying condition listed on the form, the application may not meet Mississippi’s requirements for a disability plate or placard.

How Much Do Disability License Plates Cost?

The disability plate cost in Mississippi does not include a separate or additional fee for issuing a disability license plate or qualifying parking placard. Mississippi law provides that no additional fee is charged for the issuance of a special license plate or placard for a person with a qualifying disability. This means applicants do not pay a separate disabled license plate fee simply for receiving the disability designation.

Handicap Placard Application for Temporary Disabilities

Mississippi Handicap Placard applications may be available for people with a temporary disability that limits their ability to walk or requires mobility assistance. A temporary parking placard requires medical certification from a qualified physician, who determines the expected duration of the temporary disability. Mississippi allows a temporary plate placard for a physician-certified period of up to six months. The placard has an expiration date and must be properly displayed when the qualifying person uses a vehicle in designated disabled parking spaces.

Temporary Disability Placard Requirements

A temporary disability placard requires medical certification and must meet Mississippi’s eligibility requirements. The physician determines the expected duration, with a temporary placard limited to a maximum of six months.

The main points for a temporary disability placard include:

• Medical certification: A physician must certify the qualifying temporary disability.
• Expected duration: The physician determines the period for which the temporary disability is expected to continue.
• Maximum period: A temporary placard can be issued for a period of up to six months.
• Expiration: The placard becomes invalid after its approved expiration date.
• Removable placard: The temporary placard is removable and should be displayed properly when using designated disabled parking.
• Proper display: Place the placard on the vehicle’s rearview mirror when parked in a qualifying accessible parking space.
• Use by qualifying person: The placard is intended for the person who received the parking privilege and may be used when that person is driving or riding in the vehicle.

Handicap Placard vs Disability License Plate

A Mississippi Handicap Placard and a disability license plate both provide parking privileges for people who meet Mississippi’s disability requirements, but they work differently. A disability placard is removable and can be used in different vehicles when the qualifying person is present. A handicap plate, by comparison, is attached to a specific vehicle and forms part of that vehicle’s registration. Mississippi also recognizes both permanent and temporary parking placards, with temporary placards subject to a physician-certified period of up to six months.

How Long Are Disability Plates and Placards Valid?

The validity of Mississippi disability plates and placards depends on the type of credential and the applicant’s disability status. Disability plates follow the applicable vehicle registration period, while placards have their own validity periods. A physician’s certification can affect renewal requirements, including the expected duration of the qualifying disability and the documentation needed for continued parking privileges. Temporary placards have a shorter validity period, with Mississippi limiting them to a maximum of six months.

Disability Plate Validity

A Mississippi disability plate follows the applicable vehicle tag and registration period. The disability certification has a separate requirement: for the initial disability plate certification, the physician must determine that the qualifying disability is expected to last at least five years.

Five-Year Disability Certification

The five-year disability requirement refers to the expected duration of the qualifying condition. It does not mean that the vehicle registration itself remains valid for five years. The physician’s certification establishes that the disability is expected to continue for the required period.

Disabled License Plate Renewal

For Mississippi disabled license plate renewal, applicants must follow the applicable vehicle registration and renewal requirements. The Mississippi Department of Revenue states that a new application is required when the standard plate image changes, described by DOR as occurring every five years.

Physician Statement for Renewal

A physician statement may be required when disability certification is renewed. According to the DOR FAQ, the doctor’s statement must be dated within 90 days of renewal. Applicants should submit the current medical documentation requested with the renewal application.

Placard Expiration

A placard expiration date depends on the type of placard. A temporary parking placard is issued for the period certified by the physician, with a maximum period of six months. Permanent placards have separate validity and renewal requirements.

Renewal Application Timing

Applicants should check their registration and placard expiration dates before submitting a renewal application. Temporary placard holders should pay close attention to the physician-certified expiration date, while disability plate holders should follow the applicable vehicle registration renewal schedule.

Disability Parking Rules and Penalties

Mississippi disabled parking privileges are available only to people who meet the state’s disability requirements and have proper authorization. A valid disability plate or placard must be used correctly when parking in an accessible parking space. Misusing a placard or parking in a designated disability space without authorization can result in a parking violation and fines.

Proper Authorization for Disabled Parking

Before using a disability parking space, make sure:

• The vehicle displays a valid disability plate or placard.
• The plate or placard belongs to the eligible person using the parking privilege.
• The eligible person is driving or riding in the vehicle.
• The vehicle is parked in a space designated for disabled parking.
• Any additional signs or parking restrictions are followed.

Using Someone Else’s Placard

A handicap parking placard is issued for the qualifying person, not for unrestricted use by family members or friends.

• Do not use another person’s placard when that person is not in the vehicle.
• Do not lend your placard to another driver.
• Do not display an expired or invalid placard.
• Use the placard only for the qualifying person’s transportation needs.

Disability Parking Penalties

Parking in a designated disability space without proper authorization can result in a fine.

• Unlawful parking fine: Up to $200.
• Repeated violations can result in additional consequences under Mississippi law.
• A valid disability plate or placard does not permit parking in locations where other restrictions prohibit parking.
• Drivers should check signs and pavement markings before using an accessible space.

Disability License Plates for Disabled Veterans

Mississippi provides a separate disabled veteran plate option for qualifying veterans. A Disabled American Veteran plate is different from the general disability license plate available to people with qualifying medical disabilities. Veteran-specific eligibility and documentation apply, so having a qualifying disability by itself does not automatically make a person eligible for a veteran plate.

Disabled American Veteran Plate Eligibility

The Disabled American Veteran plate is intended for veterans who meet Mississippi’s veteran-specific requirements. Applicants must provide the required documentation or verification establishing their qualifying veteran status and disability.

Key points include:

• Veteran-specific eligibility applies to the Disabled American Veteran plate.
• Applicants must provide the required verification of their qualifying status.
• The veteran’s disability must meet the requirements applicable to the veteran plate program.
• The plate is a military plate with eligibility rules separate from general disability plates.

General Disability Plate vs Veteran Disability Plate

A veteran disability plate should not be confused with standard Mississippi disabled license plates. A general disability plate is based on qualifying disability criteria and medical certification. The Disabled American Veteran plate has additional veteran-related eligibility requirements and documentation. The Mississippi Department of Revenue treats these as separate plate categories, including separate provisions concerning eligibility and applicable tax treatment. Veterans should check the current DOR requirements before applying to determine which documentation is required and whether they qualify for the veteran-specific plate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mississippi Disability License Plates cover questions about eligibility, applications, costs, placard options, renewal periods, and parking rules. These answers explain the main requirements and processes for obtaining disability plates or placards in Mississippi, helping readers find clear information about forms, medical certification, county Tax Collector submission, fees, and validity periods.

How do I apply for a disabled license plate in Mississippi?

To apply for a disabled license plate in Mississippi, complete Form 76-104, Disabled Parking Application. The medical certification section must be completed by a licensed physician or qualified nurse practitioner. After the required sections are completed and signed, submit the application to your county Tax Collector for processing. The Tax Collector handles the local processing and registration requirements associated with the disability plate.

How much does a disabled license plate cost in Mississippi?

Mississippi does not charge an additional issuance fee for a qualifying disability license plate or placard. This does not mean that vehicle registration is free. Normal registration taxes and fees, including applicable ad valorem taxes and other vehicle-related charges, can still apply. The disability credential itself does not have a separate additional issuance charge.

Can I get a Mississippi handicap placard without a disability plate?

Yes. A qualifying person can receive a Mississippi handicap placard without having a disability license plate. Mississippi provides permanent and temporary placard options for people who meet the applicable disability requirements. A placard is removable, so it can be displayed in a vehicle when the qualifying person is driving or riding in that vehicle.

How long is a temporary disability placard valid?

A temporary disability placard can be issued for the period certified by the physician, but the maximum period is six months. The medical professional determines the expected duration of the temporary disability. The placard has an expiration date and should not be used after that date. A new application may be required if the person continues to have a qualifying temporary disability.

How many disabled plates can I have in Mississippi?

According to Mississippi Department of Revenue information, an eligible person may receive two disability license plates and two placards. The plates are associated with eligible vehicles, while the placards are removable parking credentials. Each plate or placard must be used according to Mississippi’s disability parking requirements, and the qualifying person must be present when the parking privilege is being used.