Disabled parking: Permanent

If you have a permanent disability that meets disabled parking requirements, you may request one of the following options:

• Up to 2 blue placards.
  • Hang the placard from the rearview mirror when parked.
  • Placards may be used on any vehicle while it’s providing transportation for you.
• 1 set of disabled parking license plates.
  • The plates must be issued to you, the qualified individual.
  • and
  • You must be a registered owner of the vehicle.
• 1 set of disabled parking license plates and 1 placard (as described above).
• 1 disabled parking tab (year only) and 1 blue placard.
  • You can use the disabled parking tab with special design plates or personalized plates. (See the example below for placement.)
  • You can’t use the disabled parking tab with:
    • Standard, non-personalized plates
    • Disabled parking plates
    • Exempt plates (for state or publicly-owned vehicles.)
    • Collector Vehicle plates
    • Horseless Carriage plates
    • Rideshare plates

How to apply

1. Complete and sign a Disabled Parking Application for Individuals. Your doctor, physician assistant, or licensed registered nurse practitioner must complete and sign the “Physician” section of the form before you can submit it.
2. Submit the original, completed application form:
   • In person at any vehicle licensing office except Schmidt Insurance Service in Odessa.
   • By mail to:
     
     Individuals with Disabilities
     Department of Licensing
     PO Box 9043
     Olympia WA 98507-9043
   (We can’t accept faxed copies of applications for permanent disabled parking privileges.)

Getting your placards, plates, or tabs

We’ll mail your receipt and disabled parking placards, plates, or tabs to you as soon as your application has been processed. You should receive your identification card in 2–3 weeks. Keep the identification card in your wallet or purse. You must provide it to law enforcement when requested.

How to renew

You must renew your permanent disabled parking privilege every 5 years.

• If current or expired for less than 31 days:
  1. Sign the reminder you got, or write a letter stating you still need disabled parking privileges and sign it. (You don’t need a physician’s signature.)
  2. Submit your signed reminder or letter:
     • In person at any vehicle licensing office except Schmidt Insurance Service in Odessa.
     • By mail to:
       
       Individuals with Disabilities
       Department of Licensing
       PO Box 9043
       Olympia WA 98507-9043
• If expired for 31 days or more:
  1. Complete and sign a Disabled Parking Application for Individuals. Your doctor, physician assistant, or licensed registered nurse practitioner must complete and sign the “Physician” section of the form before you can submit it.
  2. Submit the original, completed application form:
     • In person at any vehicle licensing office except Schmidt Insurance Service in Odessa.
     • By mail to:
       
       Individuals with Disabilities
       Department of Licensing
       PO Box 9043
       Olympia WA 98507-9043
     (We can’t accept faxed copies of applications for permanent disabled parking privileges.)

How to use the disabled parking decal

If you request a disabled parking tab and placard, you’ll also get a blue “Disabled Parking Privileges” decal. The use of this decal is optional. You may place this decal between the bolt holes on the bottom of the license plate for added visability, as shown.

How to use your disabled parking identification card

Keep the identification card that indicates you have disabled parking privileges in your wallet or purse. You must provide it to law enforcement when requested.

Questions?

Please see Disabled parking to learn more about:

• Which conditions qualify for disabled parking privileges.
• Where you can and can’t park.
• How to report abuse of disabled parking privileges.

If you have other questions, please contact customer service.