Once your form is signed, you have two options: mail it to the MVC in Trenton, or hand-deliver it to your local agency. Mailing is slower—think two to four weeks—so if you’re impatient, visit an office. Pro tip: Make a photocopy of everything before you send it. The state’s lost-paperwork gremlins are real.
Bring your driver’s license or non-driver ID, plus a check or cash for the fee. What fee? You’ll be relieved—it’s zero dollars. New Jersey issues placards for free. Yes, the land of tolls and taxes gives you this one for nothing. Consider it a karmic refund.
The Temporary Versus Permanent Dance
Temporary placards last up to six months, perfect for recovery from surgery or a sprained ankle. Permanent placards are renewed every two years, no extra forms unless your condition changes. Mark your calendar: the MVC will send a renewal notice, but don’t rely on it—set a smartphone reminder with a Taylor Swift song.
Pro tip: If you lose your placard, you can request a replacement by mail or in person. The form is MVC-102A, and it costs $4. Losing a placard is a classic New Jersey moment—like misplacing your favorite hoodie from the Shore. Just replace it and move on.
