A 345 badge is a parking permit issued by your state's motor vehicle department that lets you park in accessible spaces if you have a mobility disability

The "345" refers to the section of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that governs accessible parking. When you display this badge on your vehicle, parking attendants and law enforcement recognize that you or a passenger has a documented disability affecting mobility. The badge does not grant you special driving privileges — it only permits you to use designated accessible parking spaces that would otherwise be reserved for other permit holders.

Each state issues its own version of the badge, though they all follow the same design: a blue background with a white wheelchair symbol. The badge must be displayed on your dashboard or hung from your rearview mirror so it is visible from outside the vehicle. Without a visible badge, you can be ticketed for parking in an accessible space even if you have a disability.

Key Takeaways

  • A 345 badge lets you park in accessible spaces reserved for people with mobility disabilities, but only when you are the driver or a passenger in the vehicle.
  • You must obtain the badge from your state's motor vehicle department, not from a doctor or disability organization.
  • The badge must be visibly displayed on your dashboard or rearview mirror every time you park in an accessible space.
  • Badges expire and must be renewed; expiration dates vary by state but typically range from two to five years.
  • Misusing a badge — parking in accessible spaces when the permit holder is not in the vehicle — is illegal and subject to fines.

Who can get a 345 badge

You can obtain a badge if you have a permanent or temporary mobility disability that affects your ability to walk or stand for extended periods. This includes conditions like arthritis, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, cancer, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, orthopedic disabilities, and spinal cord injuries. You do not need to use a wheelchair to may have access to; the badge is for anyone whose disability makes walking difficult or painful.

Some states also issue badges to people with temporary disabilities — for example, if you have a broken leg or are recovering from surgery. Temporary badges typically expire after a set period, usually three to six months. You will need a doctor's statement or medical certification to prove your disability, but the doctor does not issue the badge itself. Instead, you submit the medical documentation to your state's motor vehicle department as part of your request.

How to get a 345 badge in your state

The process begins at your state's motor vehicle department or secretary of state office. Most states allow you to request a badge in person at a local office, by mail, or online through the state website. You will need to provide proof of your disability, usually a signed statement from a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant confirming that you have a mobility disability. Some states accept letters from your doctor on their letterhead; others require a specific form that you fill out with your doctor and return to the motor vehicle department.

You will also need to provide your vehicle identification number (VIN) and vehicle registration. Some states issue one badge per vehicle, while others allow you to request multiple badges if you own more than one car or if a family member with a disability uses your vehicle. A few states issue badges that are not tied to a specific vehicle, so you can move the badge between cars. Check your state's motor vehicle website to find the exact form, required documents, and whether you can submit everything by mail or must visit in person.

Processing times vary by state. Some issue badges within one to two weeks; others take four to six weeks. If you need a badge urgently — for example, because you have a temporary disability and an upcoming medical appointment — contact your state office to ask about expedited processing, though not all states offer it.

What the badge does and does not allow

A 345 badge permits you to park in spaces marked with the wheelchair symbol, which are typically located close to building entrances. These spaces are wider than standard spaces to allow room for a wheelchair lift or transfer. The badge also allows you to park in spaces reserved for people with disabilities in parking lots, on streets, and at meters — you do not have to pay parking fees in metered spaces when displaying the badge, though this varies slightly by state and locality.

The badge does not allow you to park illegally in other ways. You cannot park in fire lanes, loading zones, or no-parking areas just because you have a badge. You cannot park in an accessible space if the permit holder is not in the vehicle — for example, if you are dropping off a friend and then parking the car yourself, you must move to a regular space. You cannot lend your badge to someone else or use someone else's badge. Violations can result in fines ranging from $100 to $500 or more, depending on your state and locality.

Renewing or replacing your badge

Badges expire on a schedule set by your state. Most states issue badges valid for two to five years. You will receive a notice before expiration, or you can check the expiration date printed on your badge. To renew, contact your state's motor vehicle department using the same process you used to obtain the original badge. You may need to submit updated medical documentation if your state requires it, though some states renew automatically if your disability is permanent.

If your badge is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement from your motor vehicle department. There is usually a small fee for a replacement, though it is less than the cost of an original badge. Some states allow you to request a replacement online or by mail; others require you to visit in person.

Temporary badges for short-term disabilities

If you have a temporary disability — such as a broken leg, recent surgery, or a condition expected to improve — your state may issue a temporary badge valid for a shorter period. The process is the same as for a permanent badge: you submit medical documentation to your motor vehicle department. Temporary badges typically expire after three to six months, and you cannot renew them beyond that period unless your doctor certifies that the disability is now permanent or longer-lasting than originally expected.

Some states issue temporary badges on the spot at a motor vehicle office if you bring a doctor's note; others mail them to you. If you need a temporary badge quickly, call your local motor vehicle office to ask whether you can obtain one the same day or whether you must wait for mail delivery.

What happens if you misuse a badge

Parking in an accessible space without a valid badge, or using someone else's badge, is illegal. Fines typically range from $100 to $500, though some cities and states impose higher penalties. If you are caught parking in an accessible space when the permit holder is not in the vehicle — for example, if you drop off a friend and then park the car in an accessible space while you run an errand — you can be ticketed. The same applies if you park in an accessible space after your badge has expired.

If your badge is lost or stolen and someone else uses it, report the loss to your motor vehicle department and request a replacement. Keep a record of the report in case you are ticketed for a violation you did not commit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my badge if I am not the one driving?

Yes. The badge allows the vehicle to park in an accessible space as long as the person with the disability is in the vehicle, whether they are driving or a passenger. If the permit holder is not in the car, you cannot park in an accessible space, even if you are running a quick errand.

Do I have to renew my badge every year?

No. Most states issue badges valid for two to five years. You will receive a renewal notice before expiration. Check your badge for the expiration date, or contact your state's motor vehicle department if you are unsure when to renew.

What if my disability is temporary but my doctor thinks it might last longer than expected?

Contact your motor vehicle department and ask whether you can convert a temporary badge to a permanent one. You will likely need to submit updated medical documentation. Some states allow this conversion; others require you to explore for a new permanent badge.

Can I get a badge if I have a mental health disability or an invisible disability?

A 345 badge is specifically for mobility disabilities — conditions that affect your ability to walk or stand. Mental health conditions and invisible disabilities that do not affect mobility do not may have access to for a parking badge, though they may may have access to for other accommodations under the ADA.

What if I move to a different state?

Your old state's badge is not valid in the new state. You must obtain a new badge from your new state's motor vehicle department. The process and requirements are the same, though the specific forms and processing times may differ.