Disability parking permits are one of many potential benefits for older adults in New York City; they’re designed to help individuals with disabilities that affect mobility park in safe, accessible spaces. Applying for and receiving a permit is pretty straightforward.
Let’s explore everything you need to know to get the right parking permit for your needs.
Key Takeaways
- NYC has two types of disability parking passes: the New York City Parking Permit for People with Disabilities and the New York State Parking Permit for Persons with Severe Disabilities.
- The New York City Parking Permit for People with Disabilities allows drivers to park in the City, and the New York State Parking Permit for Persons with Severe Disabilities applies to the entire state.
- To get either type of parking permit, you must meet its eligibility requirements, submit all necessary documents, and complete an application form.
- If you live in New York, have a qualifying disability, and own or use a private vehicle to get around, you’re likely eligible for a parking permit either from the City or the State.
How to Get a Disability Parking Permit in NYC
In New York City, there are two different types of parking permits for people with disabilities you can apply for, each with different eligibility requirements and uses:
- New York City Parking Permit for People with Disabilities (NYC PPPD). This parking permit is valid for on-street parking throughout NYC.
- New York State Parking Permit for Persons with Severe Disabilities (New York State Permit). The State permit can be used throughout all of New York. When used in NYC, the State permit only grants you access to off-street parking spaces designated for people with disabilities.
To receive either, you’ll have to ensure you’re eligible, apply, and wait for approval. Let’s look at the steps involved in getting a disability parking permit in more detail.
Step 1: Check Eligibility Requirements
Before you go through the trouble of completing an application for a parking permit, it’s wise to make sure you’re eligible for the option you’re interested in. For both the NYC PPPD and NY State permits, applicants may be eligible if they:
- Are a resident or non-resident of New York City
- Have a permanent disability (or temporary qualifying mobility impairment) that severely impacts mobility
NYC PPPD applicants must also ensure that their disability requires using a private vehicle for transportation. State permit applicants, however, do not need to be drivers or registered vehicle owners to receive a parking placard.
Step 2: Collect All Required Documentation
Whether you pursue an NYC PPPD or State permit, you’ll be asked to submit a few important documents alongside your completed application. Take a moment to locate and collect all the documents you’ll need to send to verify your eligibility.
NYC PPPD applicants must provide the following documents:
- A completed NYC PPPD application.
- Supporting medical documentation of your disability from a medical doctor (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.). It must be dated within one calendar year of your application.
- A copy of a state-issued driver’s license, non-driver identification card, or an NYC Municipal ID (IDNYC).
- A copy of the current, valid passenger vehicle registration for each license plate you plan to list on the permit. You may list up to three license plates per permit.*
*Note: If you have any outstanding parking violations with the NYC Department of Finance, the Department of Transportation (DOT) will not accept the affected license plate numbers. Make sure you settle any violations before you apply.
Meanwhile, NY State Permit applicants are required to submit the following documents:
- A completed application form, including verification of your disability from a doctor.
- A valid copy of your driver’s license, NYC Municipal ID, or a non-driver’s identification card.
Step 3: Complete an Application Form
With your documents gathered, it’s time to officially fill out your parking permit application. Carefully complete your application form, and be sure to review, sign, and date it as specified.
Remember that your doctor may need to fill out part of the form, too, depending on the time of permit you’re applying for.
Step 4: Submit Permit Applications
Mail your completed permit applications and all required documents to the appropriate office to submit them for review.
Applications for both permits can be directed to the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT).
| NYC PPPD | NY State Permit |
| Permits & Customer Service (PPPD Unit)NYC Department of Transportation30-30 Thomson Avenue – 2nd FloorLong Island City, NY 11101-3045 | NYS Hangtag Permit NYC DOT Parking Permits and Customer Service 30-30 Thomson Avenue, 2nd Floor Long Island City, NY 11101-3045 |
Step 5: Wait for Approval or Appeals
Once your application is submitted, your work is almost done! The next step is to simply wait for your request to be reviewed. The NYC DOT will look over your application to ensure it’s complete.
Next, it gets passed on to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s (DOHMH) Medical Certification Unit for a final review.
If your application is approved, you’ll receive your permit within a few weeks. If DOHMH denies the application, you’ll receive a letter that explains how you can appeal the decision.
Step 6: Receive and Place Your Permit
You should receive your permit — whether you applied for an NYC PPPD or NY State Permit — in the mail within a few weeks of being approved.
NYC PPPD permits can be used in up to three vehicles — provided you listed them when you applied — and must be displayed on the driver’s side dashboard of the vehicle transporting the permit holder.
You may not make any copies of your permit; you’ll have to move it from one vehicle to another as needed.
State permits are blue plastic hangtags with the universal International Symbol of Access for people with disabilities displayed on each side. Temporary permits are red instead of blue. You can hang either one from the inside rearview mirror in your vehicle.
Questions Others Are Asking
How do you qualify for a handicap parking permit in New York?
To qualify for a parking permit for people with disabilities in the State of New York, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be a New York resident
- Have a temporary disability (or qualifying temporary disability) that severely affects mobility
Additional eligibility requirements apply if you’re looking for a NYC PPPD, which gives you access to more parking in New York City:
- Your disability requires the use of a private vehicle to manage
Can you get two handicap placards in New York?
You will receive one parking placard for your New York State permit, but you may be able to receive another if your first pass gets damaged or lost. Special circumstances may also allow you to get a second placard, but in most cases, one permit means one placard or document.
However, if you have an NYC PPPD, you can use your permit in up to three vehicles and freely move the permit from one to another.
