Drivers wondering about disability placards in New York must note that these are parking permits issued by local government officials that authorize disabled individuals to park their vehicles in specially-marked parking spots. As such, a vehicle can be parked in these parking spots as long as the individual riding in it has the proper handicap placard. This is the case regardless of whether or not that resident is the driver or the registered owner of the vehicle.

It is important to note that you may obtain a disabled person placard through the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Moreover, residents with disabilities can either obtain a disability permit for a state-wide use or a parking permit that can only be utilized within New York City.

The individual applying for the disability parking permit will need to have a valid car registration and a driving license only if he or she is applying for the NY city permit. Learn more about getting an NY DMV handicap parking permit by reading the sections below.

Eligibility Requirements for Disability Placards in New York

Motorists applying for a New York disabled person placard will successfully obtain a parking permit only if they fulfill the disability placard requirements set forth by the state DMV. For example, prior to applying for a disability parking permit in NY, applicants must collect the paperwork necessary to complete the procedure.

The required documents for a disabled person parking placard typically include the proper application form and any pertinent documentation that applies to an applicant’s circumstances. On the other hand, if you are applying for a New York City permit, you will be required to utilize the New York City Special Parking Identification Permit form available through the New York City (NYC) Department of Transportation (DOT).

Certain types of supporting documentation may be needed in order to get handicap placards in NY. For instance, applicants may be required to provide a valid driver’s license, as well as paperwork that proves their disability. While a license is not generally necessary to get a disability placard, applicants who have one are still required to present it to the issuing agent.

On the other hand, if you are a New York City resident who is applying for the restricted city permit, you will be required by law to present an official photo ID and copies of the vehicle registrations that will be registered on the permit. Also, in order to prove a qualifying condition and meet the disability placard requirements, you will have to submit a separate proof of disability or have your physician fill out the corresponding section of the application form. If you already have handicapped license plates, however, you will not typically require a medical certification.

New York disabled person placards will only be issued to applicants who have qualifying disabilities. As such, the general qualifications for disability placards include the following types of medical conditions, impairments or disabilities:

  • Legal blindness
  • Limited use of the limbs
  • The need to carry a portable oxygen tank
  • The inability to walk without making rest stops
  • Severe cardiac conditions
  • The inability to walk due to neurological, orthopedic or arthritic conditions
  • Lung diseases that limit the individual’s ability to breath properly
  • Neuro-muscular impairments that limit mobility

Note: If applying for a temporary parking permit with a short-term validity, applicants will be required to have a condition that renders them unable to walk without a helping device, such as crutches, canes or walkers.

How to Apply for a Disability Placard in New York

Requesting a New York handicap placard is a process that can typically be completed through local village clerk, town clerk or city clerk offices. After filling out the disabled placard application mentioned in previous sections, applicants must deliver it to the corresponding issuing agent, along with any pertinent paperwork that applies to their circumstances.

On the other hand, disabled individuals who are applying for disability parking permits in New York City will be required to submit their requests to the NYC Department of Transportation. Note that applicants submitting an application for an NYC permit will also be able to utilize a mail-in application method, in addition to the standard in-person method of application.

Applying for a New York Disability Placard by Mail

Submitting a New York application for disability placards by mail is a procedure that can only be completed if the disabled resident is applying for a parking permit with the New York City Department of Transportation. After filling out the application for a city or a state disability placard, applicants can mail it along with any supporting documentation to the DOT. Then, the state DOT will manufacture and issue you an NY disabled parking badge once it reviews and approves the submitted application form and any supporting medical documents.

Applying for a New York Disability Placard in Person

Disabled individuals can also submit their New York application for handicap placards in person through the corresponding agency that issues the parking permits. While applicants living outside of New York City are required to apply for a handicap placard through their local issuing office, disabled individuals living within the five NYC boroughs will be required to deliver the application form to the corresponding unit of the city Department of Transportation.

Once your disability parking permit application is received and processed by the corresponding authority, you will receive your new handicap parking badge that displays a different expiration date.

How to Renew Disability Placards in New York

The New York handicap placard renewal is a procedure that can be completed only if the applicant still has a qualifying medical condition. Disabled individuals wondering how to renew disability parking permit documents must note that the application process and the methods available to complete it may vary slightly depending on the applicant’s circumstances. For instance, in order to renew a temporary disabled parking badge that is typically issued with a six-month validity, applicants will be required to obtain a new certification from their physician.

Permanent permits, on the other hand, are generally valid for a maximum of five years and can be renewed without recertifying. The NY disability placard renewal is a procedure that can be completed via various methods, which vary depending on the applicant’s place of residence.

New York City residents, for instance, have multiple renewal options at their disposal, such as online, by mail and in person. Residents of villages, towns and cities outside of the five New York City boroughs, on the other hand, will typically be required to submit their applications in person.

Renewing a New York Disability Placard Online

If you are wondering how to renew your disability parking permit in New York via the internet, note that this option is only available to disabled individuals who are renewing a permit issued by the NYC Department of Transportation. The handicap placard renewal for a permit issued by the NYC DOT can be finalized through an online service within the department’s official website.

After accessing the corresponding renewal service applicants will be prompted to follow several straightforward steps. Disabled individuals renewing an NY disabled person parking placard via the internet will generally be required to verify their information and resubmit the necessary paperwork. Note that certain documents must still be submitted by mail.

Renewing a New York Disability Placard by Mail

Disabled individuals can renew a New York disability placard by mail only if the agency that issued it processes mail-in renewal applications. For example, applicants renewing a disabled person placard through the NYC Department of Transportation may be able to renew their permits by mailing the corresponding paper application to the DOT.

In such cases, customers may also be required to resubmit certain documentation, depending on their circumstances and the type of permit that they have obtained. Moreover, when completing the NY handicap placard renewal for a city permit, applicants will be required to resubmit copies of the vehicle registrations printed on the permit.

Renewing a New York Disability Placard in Person

The option to renew New York handicap placards in person is always available, regardless of whether you have obtained a DOT permit within New York City or a permit manufactured by another state’s issuing agent. However, since the procedure to renew a disabled person placard may vary slightly depending on the issuing agency, applicants are encouraged to contact the corresponding agent prior to submitting their requests.

Once you deliver the necessary paperwork to the corresponding agency, your request will be processed and your renewed permit will be issued.

How to Replace Disability Placards in New York

Disabled motorists who need information on how to replace a handicap placard in New York must note that this procedure can be completed through the agent that issued the original permit. On the other hand, if you are completing the disability placard replacement in New York City, you will be required to submit your request form to the NYC DOT. Note that the methods available to replace a lost, stolen or damaged permit may vary depending on the applicant’s place of residence.

Drivers who are replacing an NY handicap placard within New York City, for instance, can utilize an alternative mail-in method in addition to the standard in-person replacement procedure. A select number of issuing agents within the state may also utilize the mail-in method.

Replacing a New York Disability Placard by Mail

The process of replacing disability placards in New York by mail can only be completed if you have been issued a permit by the NYC DOT or a permit from an agent that processes mail-in requests. Overall, note that the mail-in procedure to replace a disabled parking tag may vary depending on the applicant’s place of residence and whether the permit was lost, stolen or damaged. As such, in order to obtain a handicap placard replacement for a lost or stolen permit through the NYC Department of Transportation, applicants will be required to report the incident to the nearest law enforcement agency beforehand.

Then, after obtaining the police report, they will have to send it to a particular DOT mailing address along with a filled out report form for a lost or stolen permit. The state’s Department of Transportation will issue a duplicate NY disability placard once it verifies the submitted paperwork.

Replacing a New York Disability Placard in Person

Replacing a lost, damaged or stolen handicap placard in New York is a transaction that can also be completed by submitting a paper application in person. The requirements and documents needed to complete the NY disability placard replacement transaction will vary depending on the applicant’s circumstances, such as the reason for requesting a duplicate permit and the location where the individual resides.

Therefore, prior to making an office visit for purposes of replacing a permit, contact your issuing agent to inquire about the specifics of the replacement procedure and the items necessary to complete it.

New York Disability Placard Fees

Applying for a New York disability parking permit is a procedure that does not generally include any handicap placard fees. Therefore, disabled individuals wondering how much a disability placard in NY is must note that they will typically be able to obtain one free of charge.

However, depending on the application method and the issuing agency, certain service fees may still apply. For that reason, make sure to contact the issuing agency in your residential area for more information regarding any applicable processing fees.

Last updated on Thursday, March 7 2019.