Parking Permits for People with Disabilities

New York City issues two types of permits for people with disabilities. Each permit has different eligibility requirements and different uses:

  1. Placard: NYC Parking Permit for People with Disabilities (NYC PPPD)
    • Valid for on-street parking throughout NYC
    • Requires supporting medical documentation
  2. Hangtag: NYS Parking Permit for People with Disabilities (NYS PPPD)
    • Valid throughout the United States and Canada
    • Within NYC, it can only be used in off-street parking spaces designated for people with disabilities

Customer Service

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

Our customer service representatives provide support Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. Calls received after 4pm are transferred to 311 for callers to leave a message. Our customer service representatives will respond to messages and online inquiries on the next business day. Call 718-433-3100 to speak with a representative or submit your inquiry online. Contact us online for translations of forms on this page or call 212-839-7100. Request a paper brochure about parking permits for people with disabilities (available in multiple languages).

On This Page

NYC PPPD

The NYC PPPD, governed by New York City Vehicle and Traffic Law 4-08 (o), is a rectangular placard.

Eligibility

Anyone living in the United States may apply for an NYC PPPD.

You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for an NYC PPPD:

  • You must require the use of a private vehicle for transportation.
  • You must have a permanent disability that seriously impairs mobility as certified by your personal physician and a physician designated by the NYC Health Department's Medical Certification Unit.

Non-drivers, such as children with qualifying disabilities, are also eligible.

Displaying an NYC PPPD

Display the NYC PPPD in full view on the driver’s side dashboard of the vehicle transporting the permit holder.

The NYC PPPD placard may be used in up to three vehicles. Commercial vehicle plates, dealer plates, and plates for rental vehicles cannot be listed on this permit.

Parking with an NYC PPPD

The NYC PPPD placard entitles the operator of a vehicle to park on New York City streets:

  • At any metered parking space, Passenger or Commercial, without charge.
  • At any No Parking space, regardless of hours, including those subject to 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.

The NYC PPPD placard does 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 an NYC PPPD

Complete the NYC PPPD application and mail it to NYC DOT with:

  • A copy of your valid Driver's License or Non-Driver's ID issued by the Driver’s License Department in your state of residence. We also accept the New York City Municipal Identification Card (IDNYC) as identification for residents of New York City.
  • Copies of all vehicle registrations (maximum of three) for the vehicles that will be covered by the permit. They must be current and valid. NYC DOT will not accept any license plate number in judgment with the NYC Department of Finance.
  • 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 IDNYC.

NYC PPPD Instructions and Application

Application Review Process

NYC DOT will review your application for completeness and forward it to the NYC Health Department's Medical Certification Unit. Incomplete applications will be returned with a letter requesting the missing information. The NYC Health Department will review your application and supporting medical documentation. If the NYC Health Department approves your application, NYC DOT will issue you a permit. If the NYC Health Department denies your application, NYC DOT will send you a denial letter explaining how to appeal. The entire application process may take up to 90 business days.

Renewing an 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 a 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.

To renew, you will need to submit copies of your:

  • Current Driver’s License, Non-Driver’s ID, or IDNYC.
  • Current vehicle registration(s) for the vehicle(s) that you want to be covered by your permit.

You will only need to re-submit medical documentation if a Recertification Form is enclosed in your renewal; this means you are due for reassessment by the NYC Health Department. Applicants requiring reassessment may be eligible to receive a temporary permit for one vehicle during the review process.

Once expired, you must mail the expired permit to NYC DOT’s Permits and Customer Service office.

Temporary Vehicle Changes (TVC) for NYC PPPDs

If you need to temporarily use another vehicle, for which the license plate is not listed on your NYC PPPD, fill out the Temporary Vehicle Change (TVC) form. You may also request a TVC by calling our Customer Service office.

A TVC is valid for up to 14 days. TVCs cannot be applied to expired permits. Temporary Vehicle Change (TVC) webform

Permanent Vehicle Changes (PVC) for NYC PPPDs

No more than three license plates may be listed on an NYC PPPD. To permanently add or remove a license plate from your NYC PPPD:

  • Complete the Permanent Vehicle Change Form.
  • Submit copies of all vehicle registrations for the new license plates to be listed on the permit. If a vehicle is leased, also provide a copy of the lease agreement.

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

PVCs cannot be applied to expired permits.

Once you receive your new permit with the change(s), you MUST mail your old permit to NYC DOT immediately. Failure to do so will result in your inability to obtain another NYC PPPD. Permanent Vehicle Change Form (pdf)

PVCs for NYC PPPDs with Business or 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.

NYS PPPD

NYC DOT issues the NYS Parking Permit for People with Disabilities (NYS PPPD) for people living within the five boroughs of NYC.

The permanent NYS PPPD is a blue plastic hangtag, and the temporary NYS PPPD is a red plastic hangtag. Both display the International Symbol of Access.

Eligibility

You are eligible to be issued an NYS PPPD through NYC DOT if you:

  • Live in New York City.
  • 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 are also eligible.

According to the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, Section 404A, to be eligible for the NYS PPPD 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.

Displaying the NYS PPPD

The NYS PPPD is a blue plastic hangtag displaying the International Symbol of Access. Temporary permits are red plastic hangtags.

Hang the NYS PPPD from the inside rearview mirror of your parked vehicle. You must remove the permit from the rearview mirror when the vehicle is in motion.

The NYS PPPD may only be used when the permit holder is traveling in the vehicle. The NYS PPPD never lets you disobey state or local parking regulations. Copying the permit is not allowed.

Parking with an NYS PPPD

The NYS PPPD 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.

The NYS PPPD is also valid in all other states and Canadian provinces.

Applying for an NYS PPPD

To apply for an NYS PPPD, you must mail the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) application form MV-664.1 to:

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

When applying, you must provide a copy of your valid Driver's License or Non-Driver's ID issued by the NYS DMV. We also accept IDNYC as identification for residents of New York City.

Renewing an NYS PPPD

Your NYS PPPD is valid until the expiration date printed on the permit, up to five years from the issue date. It always expires on the last day of the month.

You will receive a reminder notice in the mail approximately three months before your permit expires. Reapply for an NYS PPPD by submitting a new application. Medical certification is not required. However, you must provide the name and telephone number of your doctor on the application.

Lost or Stolen, Never Received, and Damaged Permits

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

Lost or Stolen Permits

If your permit is lost or stolen, you must:

  • Report the loss or theft of the permit at the police precinct nearest to where the loss or theft occurred.
  • Obtain a police incident slip or report that includes the lost or stolen permit number, permit type, and complaint number.
  • Fill out a Lost or Stolen Permit Form.
  • Mail the police incident slip or report with the completed Lost or Stolen Permit Form.
Lost or Stolen Permit Form (pdf)

Never Received Permits

If you never received a permit that you applied for:

  • Fill out a Never Received Permit Form, have it notarized, and mail the completed form.
Never Received Permit Form (pdf)

Damaged Permits

To replace a damaged permit, the damaged permit must be returned to our office. NYC DOT will issue a replacement once we receive the damaged permit.

If you need to replace a damaged permit:

  • Fill out a Damaged Permit Form and describe the damage.
  • Call us at 718-433-3100 or schedule an appointment online to return and replace the damaged permit at our office.
  • Or you may mail the Damaged Permit Form along with your damaged permit. Please note that it may take up to 45 days to process a replacement for a permit mailed to our office.
Damaged Permit Form (pdf)

Update Personal Information on Your Permit Profile

To update your personal information for your NYC PPPD or NYS PPPD profiles:

  • Complete a Change of Address Form.
  • Mail the completed form with two proof-of-residence documents.
Change of Address Form (pdf)

Visitors and Tourists Parking Permits

For on-street parking access for persons with disabilities, United States residents may apply for an NYC PPPD.

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

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

Wrongful Summons

If you receive a summons while displaying your NYC PPPD or NYS PPPD:

  1. Write your permit number on the original summons or notice of summons.
  2. Mail the summons with a copy of your permit to:

New York City Department of Finance
Parking Violation Advocacy Unit
66 John Street, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10038

Additionally, if you receive a summons while displaying your NYS PPPD in New York City, and you were parked in a space that was marked with the International Symbol of Access, send the New York City Department of Finance a letter detailing the exact location of that space.

If you receive a summons outside of New York City while displaying your NYS PPPD, please contact the local parking authority where the summons was received.