Temporary or Permanent Handicap Placard in Florida?
The difference between a temporary and a permanent Florida placard, who decides which you get, and what each costs.
The Practitioner Decides, Not You
The form asks the practitioner whether the condition is permanent. Their answer determines which permit your county issues, and it is a clinical judgement rather than a preference.
| Temporary | Permanent | |
|---|---|---|
| Valid for | Up to six months | Four years |
| County fee | $15 | Free |
| Color | Red | Blue |
| Issued for | A condition expected to improve | A condition that is not |
| Renewal | A new application | A new certification every four years |
Typical Temporary Cases
Recovery from surgery, a healing fracture, or a condition under treatment that is expected to resolve. How a surgical recovery is evaluated.
Typical Permanent Cases
Advanced arthritis, a chronic heart or lung condition, a progressive neurological condition, or legal blindness.
If a Temporary One Runs Out and You Are No Better
You may apply again. If the condition now looks permanent, a practitioner may certify it as such. That is a fresh evaluation rather than an extension.
See If You Qualify
A few questions about your condition. Free, about two minutes, and it tells you before you pay anything.