Disability Plates and Placards in New York
SUMMARY: New York Disability Plates & Placards
Disability placards and license plates are available to residents of New York who have qualifying disabilities - you can get either permanent or temporary placards, and permanent license plates. To apply for a placard or license plate, you will need medical certification of your disability. You must renew your handicapped placard or plate periodically, and if your parking permit is lost or stolen, you can request a replacement from the agency that issued it.
Keep reading for more information about disability placards and license plates in New York.
Types of NY Disability Permits
The state of New York offers several types of handicapped parking permits for people with disabilities.
You may qualify for a:
- Temporary or permanent placard, issued by your village, town, or city clerk's office.
- Metered parking waiver, also issued by your local clerk's office.
- Disability license plate, issued by the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
NOTE: If you're a resident of NY, you can also apply for a separate permit for curbside parking in New York City.
Traveling with Disabilities
Every state in the U.S. accepts the handicapped placards and license plates of all other states. As a result:
- If you visit the state of New York, you can use the placard or plate from your home state for disabled parking.
- You can use a New York disability placard or plate in any other state of the U.S.
When visiting another state, you must obey the local parking regulations. For example, some states do not offer parking meter waivers or allow parking in the same types of spaces.
Apply for Disabled Parking in New York
Placards and license plates for handicap parking have different application processes since they are handled by different agencies:
- Placards and parking meter waivers are processed by local clerks' offices.
- License plates are processed by the New York DMV.
Disabled Placards
Local clerks' offices have their own application processes for disability parking placards. Contact your local New York city/town clerkfor instructions.
Most city or town clerks will require that you:
- Complete the Application for a Parking Permit or License Plates, for Persons with Severe Disabilities (Form MV-664.1) for both temporary and permanent placards.
- Include a doctor's certification of your disability AND signature on your application.
- Submit the application by mail or in person to your local clerk.
Disability parking placards are free. However, some agencies may add service or postage fees.
Parking Meter Fee Waiver
Like disability placards, parking meter fee waivers are issued by local clerks' offices.
Contact your area clerk for your area's specific application requirements.
Most agencies will require you to submit the Application for a Metered Parking Waiver for Persons with Severe Disabilities (Form MV-664.1MP), including medical certification.
Disability License Plates
You can apply for a disability license plate in person at a NY DMV office.
You MUST have a vehicle registered in your name to be eligible for disability license plates.
You will need:
- The Application for a Parking Permit or License Plates, for Persons with Severe Disabilities (Form MV-664.1).
- Vehicle registration information:
- Current license plates if your car is already registered.
OR
- Required vehicle registration documents if you are registering your car for the first time.
- Current license plates if your car is already registered.
- The Vehicle Registration/Title Application (Form MV-82).
- Proof of your identity, such as your:
- NY driver's license.
- State-issued ID card.
- Valid U.S. passport.
- Payment for fees:
- New license plate: $25.
- Other fees:
- Transaction fee (if you are NOT renewing your registration): $3.75.
OR
- Registration renewal fees.
Disabled Veteran Plates
If you are military veteran with a service-related disability, you can apply for disabled veteran license plates.
You will need:
- The Application for Custom Plates (CP-30).
- Proof of your disability (unless you have already submitted it):
- Application for a Parking Permit or License Plates, for Persons with Severe Disabilities (Form MV-664.1).
OR
- A letter from your doctor verifying that you have permanent disability affecting your mobility.
- Application for a Parking Permit or License Plates, for Persons with Severe Disabilities (Form MV-664.1).
- A copy of your DD-214 for proof of veteran status.
- Payment for the $28.75 fee.
Mail your application to the address on the form.
NOTE: You will also need to register your vehicle if you have not yet done so.
Renew a Disability Placard or Plate
Disabled parking placards and license plates expire and must be renewed.
Expiration dates vary for different placards and license plates:
- Temporary placards are valid for up to 6 months.
- Permanent placard expiration varies by location.
- Disability license plates, including disabled veteran plates, are valid for as long as your registration is valid.
Placard renewals are processed by local clerks' offices, and renewal methods differ by location.
You will renew your license plate by renewing your vehicle registration.
Replace a NY Handicap Permit
To replace a lost, stolen or damaged disability placard, you will need to contact your local clerk's office.
You may be able to request a replacement without a new application; however, some clerks may require that a new application be submitted.
For information about replacing a license plate that is lost, stolen, or damaged license plate, see our NY license plate page.