Disabled Veteran / Purple Heart Parking Placard
Free municipal-meter parking (up to 24 hours) for disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients in New Jersey.
At a glance
- Benefit type
- Transportation — New Jersey
- Who it's for
- Veterans
- VA rating needed
- No rating requirement
- Where it applies
- New Jersey
- Last verified
- May 12, 2026
What is Disabled Veteran / Purple Heart Parking Placard?
Disabled Veteran / Purple Heart Parking Placard is a New Jersey transportation benefit for veterans. Free municipal-meter parking (up to 24 hours) for disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients in New Jersey.
Who qualifies
- Available to any veteran
- New Jersey residency
Who is eligible
Eligibility
Two qualifying paths — (1) disabled veteran with an Award of Disability letter from the VA, OR (2) Purple Heart recipient with documentation of the award. The parked vehicle must be owned by the placard holder, and the holder must be either driver or passenger.
What Disabled Veteran / Purple Heart Parking Placard covers
Benefit
Exempts the vehicle from payment of municipal parking meter fees for up to 24 hours under the conditions above. The placard affords the vehicle the same parking privileges as the corresponding DV or Purple Heart license plate.
Important to know
Placards must be renewed/recertified every three years. The DV/PH placard does NOT replace a Person With a Disability (PWAD) placard — applicants who qualify for both may hold both, but the DV/PH placard cannot be used to park in PWAD-only spots. Applicants who qualify for both a DV and a Purple Heart placard must choose one; only one type of these unique placards may be issued per person.
How to apply for Disabled Veteran / Purple Heart Parking Placard
How to apply
Complete form SP-47 ("Disabled Veteran / Purple Heart Placard Application") and submit in person at any NJ MVC agency or by mail with photocopies of proof of status to: NJMVC, Special Plates Unit, PO Box 015, Trenton, NJ 08666-015.
Verified information & sources
Last verified: May 12, 2026
Official source: nj.gov
Compiled and fact-checked against the official source linked above. Benefit rules and dollar amounts change over time — always confirm current details at the official source before applying. A county Veterans Service Officer (VSO) is a free, accredited advocate who can review your eligibility and help you file at no cost.
Frequently asked questions about Disabled Veteran / Purple Heart Parking Placard
Who qualifies for Disabled Veteran / Purple Heart Parking Placard?▾
How do I apply for Disabled Veteran / Purple Heart Parking Placard?▾
Where can I verify Disabled Veteran / Purple Heart Parking Placard?▾
Other New Jersey Transportation
See every benefit you qualify for in New Jersey
Get a personalized list of federal, state, and local veteran benefits based on your service history, disability rating, and New Jersey residency — in under 2 minutes.
Find My New Jersey Benefits