Handicapped Parking Placard for Children with chILD

A Guide for Families of Children with chILD

If your child uses oxygen or has a hard time walking even short distances, they may qualify for a disabled parking placard or license plate.

This benefit makes a real difference in daily life. Shorter walks from the parking lot to the clinic or school mean less effort and less oxygen use for your child.

Many families don’t know about this benefit. It is free or very low cost in most states.

Who Qualifies?

Eligibility varies by state, but most states allow a placard for:

• Children who use portable oxygen
• Children who cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest
• Children who have a significant limit in their ability to walk due to lung, heart, or blood vessel disease
• Other conditions that severely limit walking

Children who use supplemental oxygen generally qualify. A licensed doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner must sign the form.

How to Apply — Step by Step

Step 1: Ask your child’s lung doctor or pediatrician to fill out a disabled parking certification form at your next visit.

Step 2: Download your state’s application from your state DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) website. Search: [your state] disabled parking placard application.

Step 3: Submit the completed form and any required fee to your local DMV. Many states issue placards FREE for children.

Step 4: Renew the placard as required. Most states require renewal every 1 to 4 years.

What to Say to Your Doctor: “My child uses supplemental oxygen and has a hard time walking distances. We would like a disabled parking certification so I can request a placard from our state DMV.” Bring the certification form to the visit so the doctor can sign it on the spot.

Types of Placards

Type	When to Use
Temporary Placard	For conditions expected to improve. Usually valid for 6 months. Good if your child’s oxygen needs may change.
Permanent Placard	For long-term or ongoing conditions. Good for children with chronic, ongoing oxygen dependence.
License Plate	Attached to a specific vehicle instead of a hang tag. Useful if your child always travels in the same car.

How to Use the Placard

• The placard belongs to your child — not the car. You can use it in any car transporting your child.
• Hang it from the rearview mirror only when parked. Remove it while driving — it can block the driver’s view.
• Only use the placard when your child is actually in or being transported by the vehicle.

Glossary

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) — A federal law requiring public places to have accessible parking and other accommodations for people with disabilities.

Certification Form (Disabled Parking) — A form signed by a licensed medical provider confirming your child meets the criteria for a disabled parking placard.

DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) — The state agency that issues disabled parking placards and plates.

Nasal Cannula — A thin, soft plastic tube with two small prongs that sit just inside the nostrils, delivering supplemental oxygen. Most children with chILD who need oxygen use one.

Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) — A battery-powered device that pulls oxygen from room air. Children who use a POC in public generally qualify for a disabled parking placard.

Supplemental Oxygen — Extra oxygen a child breathes to keep their blood oxygen at a safe level. One of the main qualifying reasons for a disabled parking placard.

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This information is for educational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for the medical advice of your child’s healthcare provider.