Parking Permits for People with Disabilities

New York City issues two types of permits for people with disabilities:

  1. New York City Parking Permit for People with Disabilities (NYC PPPD)
  2. New York State Parking Permit for Persons with Severe Disabilities (New York State Permit)

There are different eligibility requirements and different uses for these permits. In New York City, the State permit can only be used in off-street parking spaces designated for people with disabilities, while the NYC PPPD is valid for on-street parking throughout New York City. The NYC PPPD application requires supporting medical documentation, while the New York State application does not.

Permits and Customer Service

All permit applications must be mailed to NYC DOT. The Permits and Customer Service office is not open to visitors.

Our customer service representatives provide support Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Please call 718-433-3100 to speak with a representative. Calls received after 4 pm are transferred to 311 for callers to leave a message. Our customer service representatives will respond to these messages on the next business day.

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General Information about Parking Permits for People with Disabilities

Download our brochure about parking permits for people with disabilities in New York City:

For more New York City services for people with disabilities, visit the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities website.

NYC PPPD

The NYC PPPD, governed by New York City Vehicle and Traffic Law 4-08 (o), can be used in up to three vehicles. The permit must be displayed in full view on the driver’s side dashboard of the vehicle that is transporting the permit holder. No copies are allowed. Both city residents and non-city residents are eligible for an NYC PPPD.

To be eligible to receive an NYC PPPD, the following requirements must be met:

  • You must require the use of a private vehicle for transportation.
  • You must have a severe, permanent disability that impairs mobility as certified by your personal physician and a New York City physician designated by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Medical Certification Unit.

Using the NYC PPPD

The NYC PPPD is a rectangular placard. Display it in full view on the driver’s side dashboard.

Unlike the State permit, the NYC PPPD entitles drivers to park only on New York City streets.

The following list indicates what is covered by your NYC PPPD.

The permit entitles the operator of a vehicle to park:

  • At any metered parking space, Passenger or Commercial, without charge.
  • At any “No Parking” space, regardless of hours, including those for Street Cleaning regulations.
  • At any space designated for use by Authorized Vehicles, including Diplomats (DPL), New York Press (NYP), or any governmental agency.
  • In any “No Standing except Trucks Loading/Unloading” Zone, or “Truck Loading” Zone (EXCEPTION: Garment District parking area on crosstown streets 35th to 41st Streets, between Sixth and Eighth Avenues). These signs should be read carefully; permit holders may park only during the days and times that trucks may park.

NYC PPPDs do not allow parking:

  • In a “No Stopping Anytime” Zone
  • In a “No Standing Anytime” Zone
  • In a No Standing Zone during indicated hours (e.g., No Standing, Monday - Friday 4pm - 7pm)
  • In spaces designated for Ambulances and Ambulettes
  • In spaces designated for Electric Vehicle (EV) charging
  • In a Hotel Loading Zone
  • In a taxi stand
  • In For-Hire Vehicle stands
  • In Carshare parking spaces
  • In a bus stop
  • In a Fire Zone
  • Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
  • In a driveway
  • In a crosswalk
  • On a Sidewalk
  • If double parked

Applying for the NYC PPPD

When applying, you must provide a valid copy of your Driver's License or a Non-Driver's Identification Card issued by the Driver’s License Department in your state of residence. We also accept the New York City Municipal Identification Card as identification for residents of New York City. You must include copies of all vehicle registrations (maximum of three) which will be listed on the permit. They must be current and valid. NYC DOT will not accept any plate number(s) in judgment with the NYC Department of Finance. You must include supporting medical documentation, as described in the application.

Write your name on the application exactly as it appears on your State-issued Driver's License, State-issued Non-Driver’s ID, or New York City Municipal Identification Card.

NYC DOT will review your application for completeness and forward it to DOHMH’s Medical Certification Unit. Incomplete applications will be returned with a letter requesting the missing information. DOHMH will review your application and supporting medical documentation. If DOHMH approves your application, NYC DOT will issue you a permit. If DOHMH denies your application, NYC DOT will send you a denial letter with an explanation of the appeal process. The entire application process may take more than 90 business days.

You must mail the completed application, a copy of your identification, a copy of the vehicle registration, and supporting medical documentation to:

New York City Department of Transportation
Permits and Customer Service
30-30 Thomson Avenue 2nd Floor
Long Island City, NY 11101-3045

*The Permits and Customer Service office is not open to visitors.

Renewing the NYC PPPD

Your NYC PPPD is valid until the expiration date printed on the permit. Approximately ten weeks before the scheduled expiration date, you will receive your renewal form in the mail. Be sure your permit information is up to date. You will not receive a renewal notice at your new address if you have moved without notifying NYC DOT.

Temporary Vehicle Changes (TVC) for NYC PPPDs

If you need to temporarily use another vehicle that is not listed on your permit, fill out the Temporary Vehicle Change (TVC) webform. TVCs cannot be applied to expired permits.

Permanent Vehicle Changes (PVC) for NYC PPPDs

To permanently add or remove a license plate(s) from your NYC PPPD, complete the Permanent Vehicle Change (PVC) form and submit it with a copy of the lease agreement (for leased vehicles), registration(s) and license plate(s) to be listed on the permit.

No more than three plates may be listed on an NYC PPPD. PVCs cannot be applied to expired permits.

If a license plate that is currently listed on your permit has been moved to another vehicle, you must submit a new PVC form along with a copy of the new registration for that plate. Your information will be updated in our system.

Once you receive your new permit with the PVC change, you MUST mail your old permit to NYC DOT within ten days. Failure to do so will result in your inability to obtain another NYC PPPD.

Mail the completed application, a copy of the lease agreement or registration, and a copy of license plate(s) to:

New York City Department of Transportation
Permits and Customer Service
30-30 Thomson Avenue, 2nd Floor
Long Island City, NY 11101-3045

*The Permits and Customer Service office is not open to visitors.

PVCs for NYC PPPDs with Business of Taxi License Plates

If you have a business or taxi license plate on your permit, you may not add additional plates. However, you may substitute another business or taxi license plate for the one on your existing permit.

New York State Permit

You are eligible to be issued a New York State disability parking permit through NYC DOT if you are a New York City resident and have a permanent or temporary qualifying impairment that severely impacts your ability to walk, as certified by a New York State-licensed physician or podiatrist. You do not have to be a driver or registered owner of a vehicle to get a permit. Children with disabilities and people who are legally blind are eligible for permits.

According to the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, Section 404A, to be eligible for the State permit you must:

  • have limited or no use of one or both legs;
  • have a neuro-muscular dysfunction which severely limits mobility;
  • have another physical or mental disability which makes the use of public transportation difficult; or
  • be legally blind.

Your physician must state whether the condition is permanent or temporary in nature and describe how severely and regularly the condition affects your ability to walk.

Using the New York State Permit

The State permit is a blue plastic hangtag displaying the universal International Symbol of Access for people with disabilities (temporary permits are red plastic hangtags). Hang it from the inside rearview mirror of your vehicle.

The permit is valid everywhere in New York State where there are designated parking spaces for people with disabilities. In New York City, this permit is not valid for on-street parking; it is only valid in off-street spaces such as in parking lots for malls, office buildings, or college campuses. It is also valid in all other states and Canadian provinces. The permit may be used only when the permit-holder is traveling in the vehicle. The State permit never lets you disobey state or local parking regulations. Copying the permit is not allowed.

The State permit may be valid up to five years and always expires the last day of the month.

Applying for the New York State Permit

To apply, you must submit the DMV application form to NYC DOT.

When applying, you must provide a valid copy of your Driver's License or Non-Driver's Identification Card issued by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles. We also accept the New York City Municipal Identification Card as identification for residents of New York City.

If you do not have access to a computer, you may receive the paper application form by calling 311.

You must mail the completed application and a copy of your identification to:

New York City Department of Transportation
Permits and Customer Service
30-30 Thomson Avenue, 2nd Floor
Long Island City, NY 11101-3045

*The Permits and Customer Service office is not open to visitors.

Never Received, Lost or Stolen Permits

Please be careful with your permit. These permits are valuable and are sometimes stolen. Permits lost or stolen more than twice will be reissued at NYC DOT's discretion.

If your permit is lost or stolen, you must:

  • Report the loss or theft of the permit at the precinct nearest to the location where the incident occurred.
  • Obtain a police incident slip/report citing the lost/stolen permit and complaint number.
  • Fill out and mail in a lost/stolen report form.

You must mail the original police incident slip/report and the completed form to:

New York City Department of Transportation
Permits and Customer Service
30-30 Thomson Avenue, 2nd Floor
Long Island City, NY 11101-3045

*The Permits and Customer Service office is not open to visitors.

If you never received a permit that you applied for:

Mail the completed form to:

New York City Department of Transportation
Permits and Customer Service
30-30 Thomson Avenue, 2nd Floor
Long Island City, NY 11101-3045

*The Permits and Customer Service office is not open to visitors.

Update Personal Information on Your Permit Profile

To update your personal information for your NYC PPPD or New York State Permit profiles, please download and complete the Change of Address (COA) Form.

You may also request a form by calling 311. Outside of New York City call (212) 639-9675. For TTY call (212) 504-4115.

You must mail the completed form with two proof of residence documents to:

New York City Department of Transportation
Permits and Customer Service
30-30 Thomson Avenue, 2nd Floor
Long Island City, NY 11101-3045

*The Permits and Customer Service office is not open to visitors.

Visitors and Tourists Parking Permits

New York State honors accessible parking permits from other US states, as well as other countries. However, you cannot utilize these permits to park on any street in New York City. These permits may only be used in designated disability spaces within off-street parking lots in New York City.

To park on New York City streets, non-residents may apply for a NYC PPPD.

For information about City services for people with disabilities, visit the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities website.