How to get a RI parking placard for disability

Understanding Rhode Island Disability Parking Placards

Rhode Island offers two types of disability parking placards: temporary and permanent. Temporary placards are issued for disabilities expected to last six months or less and have a red border. Permanent placards are valid for up to six years, have a blue border, and can be renewed. Both types allow parking in designated accessible spaces and provide certain parking privileges throughout Rhode Island and in other states that honor reciprocity agreements.

The placard hangs from your rearview mirror and can be transferred between vehicles, making it more flexible than disability license plates. Many Rhode Islanders prefer placards because they can use them whether they're driving their own car, riding with family members, or using a rental vehicle.

Getting Your Medical Certification

Before visiting the DMV, you must have form AA-33 completed by a qualifying medical professional. This includes licensed physicians, doctors of osteopathy, chiropractors, physician assistants, or Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). Your healthcare provider must certify that you have a condition that substantially impairs your mobility, such as inability to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest, need for assistive devices, lung disease requiring portable oxygen, or Class III or Class IV cardiac condition.

You can download form AA-33 from the Rhode Island DMV website at dmv.ri.gov, or pick one up at any DMV location. Most medical offices in Rhode Island are familiar with this form. Whether you see your doctor at Rhode Island Hospital, The Miriam Hospital, South County Health, or a private practice in Providence, Warwick, or Newport, they should be able to complete the certification during a regular appointment.

Submitting Your Application

Once you have the completed and signed form AA-33, visit any Rhode Island DMV branch. The main DMV office is located at 600 New London Avenue in Cranston, and there's another branch at 37 Cass Avenue in Woonsocket. Rhode Island also has partnerships with AAA locations—the AAA branches at 1043 Warwick Avenue in Warwick and 906 Aquidneck Avenue in Middletown provide full DMV services for placard applications.

Bring the completed AA-33 form and proof of Rhode Island residency (such as a utility bill, lease agreement, or Rhode Island driver's license). There is no fee for disability parking placards in Rhode Island. The DMV will process your application and issue your placard immediately in most cases. You'll receive one placard per application, though you may apply for a second placard if needed.

Using Your Placard in Rhode Island

Your disability placard allows you to park in any space marked with the International Symbol of Access (wheelchair symbol). In Rhode Island, you can also park at metered spaces without paying the meter and park in time-limited zones without time restrictions, though you must still obey all other parking regulations such as street cleaning schedules and fire hydrant restrictions.

This applies throughout Rhode Island—whether you're parking on Federal Hill in Providence, visiting the beach areas in Narragansett, shopping at Providence Place mall, or attending appointments at Lifespan facilities. However, private parking lots may have their own rules, and your placard doesn't exempt you from parking violations in unauthorized areas or private property restrictions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't laminate your placard or alter it in any way, as this makes it invalid. Never lend your placard to friends or family members when you're not in the vehicle—this is illegal and can result in fines up to $500 and placard revocation. The placard is assigned to the person with the disability, not the vehicle.

Remember to remove the placard from your rearview mirror while driving, as it can obstruct your view and is technically a moving violation. Many Rhode Islanders forget this step, especially when rushing from Stop & Shop or leaving their parking spot near WaterFire.

Don't assume your placard exempts you from all parking rules. You still cannot park in no-parking zones, block driveways, or violate street cleaning regulations that are strictly enforced in Providence, Pawtucket, and other municipalities.

Renewing and Replacing Your Placard

Permanent placards expire every six years, and you'll need to submit a new AA-33 form with current medical certification. The DMV will mail a renewal notice to your address on file. If your placard is lost or stolen, report it to local police and visit the DMV with a police report to obtain a replacement. There is a $5 fee for replacement placards.

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