New York State is home to over 20 million people and contains the nation’s most iconic, densely-packed, loved (and sometimes loathed!) urban metropolis: New York City. The Empire State is a very popular travel destination, attracting millions of people every year for business and pleasure.
New York’s disabled parking infrastructure plays a crucial role in improving accessibility for both residents and visitors to the state. The New York disabled parking program does a good job of improving quality-of-life and promoting equality for people who are disabled and have mobility issues.
If you are a disabled person who lives in New York, it’s important that you make sure you have access to the New York disabled parking program. Today, we will tell you how to do just that in the complete guide to how you can get an online disabled parking permit in New York.
Below we will answer all of the important questions about how to get a disabled parking permit in New York, such as … What types of disabled parking permits are available in New York? Who can legally issue a New York disabled parking permit? Who qualifies for handicap parking in NY? How long does it take to get a handicap placard in NY? And, how do I get a handicap parking permit in NY?
Why Get An Online Disabled Parking Permit In New York?
There are several reasons to get an online disabled parking permit in New York:
- Disabled permits enable free parking in any designated ‘Disabled’ parking space.
- Disabled permits enable improved access to public and private buildings, amenities, residences and attractions.
- Disabled permits enable their holders to apply for residents disabled parking bays to be installed near their home. (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.)
- Disabled permits enable their holders to use disabled parking infrastructure in other US states and several foreign jurisdictions.
Applying for your disabled parking permit online in New York is advantageous because:
- Applying online is time efficient.
- The online application process is simple to navigate and user-friendly.
- Medical certification can be arranged more quickly online using an online telemedicine clinic.
How You Can Get An Online Disabled Parking Permit In New York
The process of getting your New York handicap parking permit online is straight-forward and simple. To get your online disabled parking permit in New York, you must first have a medical consultation at an online telemedicine clinic. A state-licensed medical professional will verify your suitability for disabled parking and then email you a signed copy of a New York disabled parking permit application form.
You must then submit the completed application to either the NYC Department of Transportation, Nassau County Office of the Physically Challenged, or your nearest issuing agent, depending on where you live in New York State.
What Types Of Disabled Parking Permits Are Available In New York?
There are several different types of disabled parking permits available in New York. The type of permit you require will depend on what type of disability you have and whether you need on-street parking in New York City. The following types of disabled parking permits are available in New York:
- New York State Permanent disabled parking permit
- New York State Temporary disabled parking permit
- New York State Organization disabled parking permit
- Disabled Veterans license plate
- New York City Parking Permits for People with Disabilities (NYC PPPD)
Who Can Legally Issue A New York State Disabled Parking Permit?
The New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) runs the disabled parking program in New York. However, the DMV does not issue New York disabled parking permits. So do not send your application to the DMV.
The Parking Permits for People with Disabilities Unit of the NYC Department of Transport issues disabled parking permits in New York City. In most other areas of New York State, city, town or village clerks, and police departments, issue disabled parking permits.
Who Qualifies For Handicap Parking In NY?
If you are a resident of New York and you are permanently or temporarily disabled to the extent that your mobility is severely limited you will qualify for a New York disabled parking permit. Organizations that transport disabled people as well as primary caregivers for disabled people also qualify for disabled parking.
You do not need to drive your own vehicle to get a handicap parking permit. Non-drivers such as non-vehicle-owning adults, children and legally blind people can get a handicap parking permit to use when they travel in a vehicle that is not their own.
How Do I Get A Handicap Parking Permit In NY?
To get an online disabled parking permit in New York follow these simple steps:
- Arrange an online consultation with a state-licensed medical professional. During the consultation the medical professional will verify your suitability for disabled parking in New York. This consultation can be arranged through an online telemedicine clinic. Once your suitability is verified the medical professional will email you a certified application form.
- Complete the application form and submit it to your local disabled parking permit issuing agent. Which issuing agent you submit your application to will depend on where in New York you live. (If you are a resident of New York City you must also submit a copy of your driver license or non-driver ID).
If you live in New York City you must submit your application to:
NYC Department of Transportation, Permits and Customer Service
30-30 Thomson Avenue, 2nd Floor
Long Island City, New York 11101-3045
If you reside in Nassau County you must submit to the Nassau County Office of the Physically Challenged.
All other New York state residents need to contact their local city, town, or village hall to find out where they should submit their application.
What Are The Qualifying Conditions For A Disabled Parking Permit In New York?
To qualify for a Permanent disabled parking permit in New York a person must be permanently disabled due to one or more of the following impairments, disabilities or conditions:
- Portable oxygen tank usage
- Legal blindness
- Limited or no use of one or both legs
- Unable to walk 200 feet without stopping
- Neuromuscular dysfunction that severely limits mobility
- Class III or IV cardiac condition according to American Heart Association standards
- Severely limited mobility due to an arthritic, neurological or orthopedic condition
- Lung disease to such an extent that forced (respiratory) expiratory volume for one second, when measured by spirometry, is less than one liter, or the arterial oxygen tension is less than sixty mm/hg of room air at rest
- Any physical or mental impairment or condition not listed above which constitutes an equal degree of disability, and which imposes unusual hardship in the use of public transportation and prevents the person from getting around without great difficulty.
To qualify for a Temporary disabled parking permit in New York a person must be temporarily unable to ambulate without the aid of an assisting device such as a brace, cane, crutch, prosthetic device, another person, wheelchair or walker.
Who Can Certify An Application For Disabled Parking In New York?
All applications for a disabled parking permit in New York must be certified by a medical professional. The easiest way to arrange a medical consultation to get certification is to go to an online telemedicine clinic and set up a video consultation.
The following types of medical professionals are qualified to certify an application for disabled parking in New York:
- Medical doctor
- Doctor of osteopathy
- Physician assistant
- Nurse practitioner
- Doctor of podiatric medicine
- Optometrist
How Much Is A Handicap Placard In NY?
- New York Permanent and Temporary disabled parking placards are free.
- New York disabled parking license plates cost $25.
What Type Of Identification Is Required When Applying For New York Disabled Parking?
You are not required to have a NYS DMV-issued driver license or non-driver ID in order to get a disabled parking permit unless you live in New York City. Residents of New York City cannot get a disabled parking permit unless they include a copy of their NYS DMV-issued driver license or a non-driver ID card in their application.
How Do I Get A Disabled License Plate In New York?
You can get a disabled license plate in New York if you have a disability that is permanent and you own your own vehicle. You can get disabled plates at any Motor Vehicles office. Bring your current vehicle plates, and a completed application form or, if you have one, your Permanent (blue) disabled parking placard.
Disabled license plates cost $25.00. If this transaction is done at any time other than when you renew your vehicle registration, you will have to pay an additional $3.75 transaction fee.
Disabled Veterans license plates are also available to people whose disabilities are military service related.
How Long Does It Take To Get A Handicap Placard In NY?
The process of applying for an online New York disabled parking permit can be completed in a few hours. Once the application has been submitted it will usually be processed within ten working days.
How To Renew A New York Disabled Parking Permit:
- Permanent New York disabled parking placards expire on the date indicated on the permit. Temporary placards expire after 6 months. License plates must be renewed when the vehicle registration is due for renewal.
- To renew your Permanent parking permit you must submit an application to your local issuing agent. New medical certification is not required.
- Temporary New York disabled parking placards cannot be renewed. If you still require the use of disabled parking after your Temporary placard expires, you must apply for a new Temporary permit with new medical certification.
Where Are New York Disabled Parking Permits Valid?
Can I use my NY handicap placard in another state? Yes, you can use your New York disabled permit in all other US states.
New York disabled parking permits are recognized in the following jurisdictions:
- All US states
- All US overseas territories
- Canada
- Mexico
- UK
- EU
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Japan
NYC PPPD permits are only recognized in New York City.
Are Out-Of-State Disabled Parking Permits Valid In New York?
Yes, out-of-state disabled parking permits are valid in New York. Holders of out-of-state permits are entitled to park in designated disabled parking spaces across New York. However, to be entitled to park in on-street spaces In New York City for free, a visitor must apply for an NYC PPPD permit.
Handicap Parking Permit New York: Rules And Regulations
- New York disabled parking permit holders may park for free in any designated ‘Disabled’ space in New York State for unlimited time.
- New York City PPPD holders may park in on-street, metered spaces in NYC for free.
- It is illegal for permit-holders to park in striped access aisles or any area that is designated ‘No Parking’.
- Permit-holders must always use their own disabled parking permit. Use of a permit that is in somebody else’s name is illegal.
- Permits must be hung from the rear-view mirror when the vehicle is parked.
- Permits must be stowed away when the vehicle is in motion.
Disabled Parking In New York City
New York disabled parking permits entitle their holder to park in any designated ‘disabled’ parking space in New York City (marked with the International Symbol of Access). However, these designated ‘disabled’ parking spaces are located in parking lots only. New York City does not have on-street disabled parking. To park on-street you must also apply for an NYC PPPD permit. A PPPD permit entitles its holder to park in:
- Any metered parking space without charge
- Any ‘No Parking’ space, regardless of hours, including street cleaning regulations
- Any space designated for use by Authorized Vehicles
- Any space designated ‘No Standing Except Trucks Loading/Unloading’ or ‘Truck Loading Only’
What Are The Fines For Misuse Of New York Disabled Parking Infrastructure?
- Parking illegally in disabled parking spaces in New York can result in a fine of $50 to $75 for a first offense, and $75 to $150 for a second offense that is committed within two years. Municipalities can choose to impose higher fines.
- Any person who abuses or misuses any disabled parking permit or license plates can have the permit or plates revoked.
- Making a false statement or providing false information on an application for a disabled parking permit or license plates is punishable by a fine of $250 – $1,000, imprisonment, or both.
This has been our complete guide to how you can get an online disabled parking permit in New York. If you have not yet gotten your New York disabled parking permit online go to the Dr. Handicap app and get the application process underway.
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