Handicap Parking Permits in New York

The New York Department of Motor Vehicles will issue several different types of handicap parking permits to disabled residents, including:

• Temporary placards (valid for up to six months)
• Permanent placards (expiration varies)
• Metered parking waiver
• Handicap license plates (valid with your vehicle registration)

If you are visiting New York, you can use your out-of-state placard. Alternatively, you can use your New York placard in other states as long as you follow the local laws.

 

Laws

Violating handicap parking laws in New York can lead to significant fines. Fines up to $75 can be issued for a first offense and up to $150 for a second offense. The handicap parking pass laws in New York include:

• Handicap parking permits in New York must be hung from the rearview mirror when the vehicle is parked
• Permits must be removed when the vehicle is in motion
• The person issued the handicap parking permit in New York must be driving or riding in the vehicle when parked in a spot with a handicap sign
• Permits do not exempt a person from paying applicable parking fees, unless otherwise noted

 

Parking Pass Requirements

In order to receive a handicap parking permit in New York, you must meet some qualifications. For temporary disabilities:

• A person must be temporarily unable to move without an assistive device, such as a brace, crutch, cane, prosthetic device, walker, wheelchair or another person

For permanent disabilities, the requirements include:

• Requiring the use of a portable oxygen tank
• Being legally blind
• Limited or no use of one or both legs
• Limited mobility due to neuromuscular dysfunction
• Inability to walk 200 feet without resting
• Having a Class III or Class IV cardiac condition in accordance with the American Heart Association standards
• Limited walking ability due to a neurological, arthritic or orthopedic condition
• Restricted mobility due to lung disease
• Other physical or mental conditions or impairments that have an equal degree of disability and prevents the person from moving without a great amount of difficulty

 

How to Apply

Each local New York city clerk’s office has their own method of processing handicap parking applications. However, the general and basic process includes:

• Filling out the Application for a Parking Permit or License Plates, for Persons with Severe Disabilities (Form MV-664.1) for both temporary or permanent placards
• For temporary disabilities, a person must have their disability certified only by a Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathy
• For permanent disabilities, a person must have their disability certified by either a Medical Doctor, a Doctor of Osteopathy, a Physician Assistant, a Nurse Practitioner, a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, or an Optometrist, depending on the disability

All handicap license plates must be applied for in person at your local New York Department of Motor Vehicles office. A vehicle must be registered in your name in order to be eligible for handicap license plates.

Please click here for more information on how to get your online medical certification from a licensed physician in New York.

 

Other Information

It’s important to note that handicap parking pass renewals in New York differ depending on your location. You must contact your local New York Department of Motor Vehicles office to get more information regarding renewing your handicap placard.

We are proud to offer licensed physicians in every state to evaluate your disability and help you determine your eligibility for a handicap parking pass. To see if you qualify in New York, be sure to contact us.