Bell County, Texas

Disabled parking placards are issued by the County Tax Assessor-Collector. Placards allow vehicles to park in designated areas and free of charge at parking meters. Drivers display placards from their vehicle's rearview mirror. Permanent placards must be renewed every four years.

Placards are often issued to those who display disabled parking license plates. Individuals may choose a combination of two: two placards or one placard and one set of disabled plates.

Applicants for new disabled parking placards must present documented proof of need from a physician or qualified physician's assistant. The proof may be a notarized form (VTR-214) or a written prescription. The physician must state whether the disability is permanent or temporary. Once a person provides proof of permanent disability, he or she will not be required to provide it again.

Temporary Parking Placards require a new prescription if renewal is needed. The fee for temporary parking placards is $5.00 each.

Disabled Veteran Plates and Parking Privileges

As of January 1, 2022, anyone parking in a disabled parking space must have a disabled person license plate or a disabled parking placard that features the International Symbol of Access (ISA). Currently, disabled veteran license plates do not feature the ISA.

Texans with disabled veteran license plates wishing to use disabled parking spaces in 2022 may apply for a disabled parking placard or a new disabled veteran license plate featuring the ISA. The veteran must meet the eligibility requirements for a disabled parking placard or disabled person license plate featuring the ISA. Not all disabilities that qualify a veteran for disabled veteran license plates will qualify a veteran for a disabled veteran license plate featuring the ISA.

As of January 1, 2022, you may apply for a disabled parking placard and/or disabled veteran license plate at a Bell County Vehicle Registration Office:

1. For a disabled parking placard, download the Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard and/or License Plate (Form VTR-214):
   https://www.txdmv.gov/sites/default/files/form_files/VTR-214.pdf.
2. For a disabled veteran license plate with or without the ISA, download the Application for Disabled Veteran License Plates and/or Parking Placard (Form VTR-615):
   https://www.txdmv.gov/sites/default/files/form_files/VTR-615.pdf.
3. Have your doctor or health care provider complete the Disability Statement section of the application or provide an original prescription.
4. Submit the completed application(s) and payment (if applicable) to your county tax office.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the legal definition of a disability?
  A medical condition that meets the legal definition of a disability determines the eligibility for a disabled person placard and a disabled person license plate. "Disability" means a condition in which a person has:
  • Visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses;
  • Visual acuity of more than 20/200 but with a limited field of vision in which the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle of 20 degrees or less; or
  • Mobility problems that substantially impair the ability of a person to move around; these problems can be caused by:
    • Paralysis.
    • Lung disease.
    • Uses portable oxygen.
    • Cardiac deficiency.
    • Wheelchair confinement.
    • Arthritis, neurological, or orthopedic condition.
    • Foot disorder.
    • Other medical conditions causing a person to use a brace, cane, crutch, or other assistive devices.
    1. For a disabled parking placard, download the Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard and/or License Plate (Form VTR-214): https://www.txdmv.gov/sites/default/files/form_files/VTR-214.pdf.
    2. For a disabled veteran license plate with or without the ISA, download the Application for Disabled Veteran License Plates and/or Parking Placard (Form VTR-615): https://www.txdmv.gov/sites/default/files/form_files/VTR-615.pdf.
    3. Have your doctor or health care provider complete the Disability Statement section of the application or provide an original prescription.
    4. Submit the completed application(s) and payment (if applicable) to your county tax office.

    No, you must complete a new application to receive a new license plate that includes the ISA.

    1. For a disabled parking placard, download the Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard and/or License Plate (Form VTR-214): https://www.txdmv.gov/sites/default/files/form_files/VTR-214.pdf.
    2. For a disabled veteran license plate with or without the ISA, download the Application for Disabled Veteran License Plates and/or Parking Placard (Form VTR-615): https://www.txdmv.gov/sites/default/files/form_files/VTR-615.pdf.
    3. Have your doctor or health care provider complete the Disability Statement section of the application or provide an original prescription.
    4. Submit the completed application(s) and payment (if applicable) to your county tax office.

    Senate Bill 792, which takes effect on January 1, 2022, was signed into law by Governor Abbott following the 87th Texas Legislature. The bill analysis, which was conducted as part of the legislative process, explains the intent of the bill:

    “Currently any person with a disabled veteran license plate may utilize handicapped parking regardless of whether or not they are mobility impaired. Organizations such as the Paralyzed Veterans of America and Disabled American Veterans have asked for this to be changed as it has often led to a lack of handicapped parking, especially at Veterans Administration facilities.”

    No. Changes as a result of Senate Bill 792, which takes effect on January 1, 2022, will not require you to pay for parking you are currently exempt from. State law allows vehicles that display disabled veteran license plates to park free of charge at parking meters operated by a governmental authority other than the federal government.