Person with a disability parking permit application

There are currently road test cancellations or DMV offices closed for in-person services. See our “Cancellations, Closings and Delays” page for more information.

Parking for People with Disabilities

The New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law defines the permanent disabilities that qualify for vehicle plates or a parking permit for disabled persons. If you have a permanent disability that qualifies, you can get vehicle plates for reserved parking from the DMV or a parking permit from your local government. It is illegal to park in a parking space reserved for persons with disabilities if you do not have the correct vehicle plates or parking permits. You can use the vehicle plates or parking permit in New York State and in most other states.

To get a parking permit, you and your healthcare provider can complete the Application for a Parking Permit or License Plates, for Persons with Severe Disabilities (PDF) (MV-664.1). If you do not want to complete the form, you can ask your healthcare provider (Medical Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, or Nurse Practitioner) to complete a statement on their letterhead. The statement must describe the disabling condition and verify that the disability qualifies according to the law.

Bring the form or statement to the issuing agency in your locality. (This is normally the office of your city clerk, town clerk or village clerk.) There is no fee for a permit. Remember that the DMV does not issue parking permits.

To get plates, bring the following items to a DMV office:

• proof of your disability (either Application for a Parking Permit or License Plates, for Persons with Severe Disabilities (PDF) (MV-664.1) or the statement from your healthcare provider)
• current vehicle plates
  • Before you surrender your current vehicle plate(s), remove all frames and fasteners. DMV does not accept any vehicle plates with frames or fasteners attached.

  Vehicle plates for persons with disabilities are issued only for vehicles registered in the name of the person with the disability. Each person with a disability can have one set of vehicle plates.

  Reserved Spaces

  A locality can establish a local law or ordinance to reserve parking spaces on a street and install the signs. Municipalities do not have control over the assignment of parking spaces in private parking lots, but many facilities provide their own reserved parking. If you have a question about reserved parking for people with disabilities on a specific street, determine if the street is part of county, city, town, village, or state property. Then contact the correct officials for that locality. Shopping centers that include five or more retail stores are also required to provide reserved parking spaces for customers with disabilities.

  New York City

  New York City does not set aside reserved spaces on its streets for persons with disabilities. Reserved parking spaces are only available off-street, in parking lots for shopping centers/malls, office/apartment buildings, and college campuses. You can use the vehicle plates for people with disabilities or a state permit for people with disabilities to park in reserved spaces in those off-street lots.

  However, the NYC Department of Transportation issues a City permit (a rectangular dashboard permit) that allows persons with severe disabilities to park at most curbsides on NYC streets. City permits are issued to people with a permanent disability that so severely affects their ability to walk that they require the use of a private automobile. The New York City parking permit is not valid outside of NYC. For more information or to obtain an application for an NYC permit, call (718) 433-3100 or visit the NYC Department of Transportation's website .

  Fines for Parking in a Reserved Space

  These fines are

  • $50 to $75 for a first offense
  • $75 to 150 for a second offense

  The locality can add to the amount of these fines. The law also allows police officers to tow and store illegally-parked vehicles.