Learn how to apply for or renew a disability parking permit including vehicle placards, plates, decals, and tabs.
Before you get started
Find out if you are eligible to apply for a disabled parking permit.
Types of disabled parking permits
Depending on your situation, you may apply for the following disability permit options:
- Permanent (for individuals with a permanent disability)
- Temporary (for individuals with a temporary disability)
- Organizational (for organizations that transport individuals with disabilities)
Permanent disabled parking permits
If you have a permanent disability and meet the disabled parking eligibility requirements, you can apply for:
- 1–2 blue placards
- 1 blue placard and 1 set of disabled parking license plates (fees apply).
- 1 blue placard and 1 disabled parking tab (fees apply)
Things to know about disabled parking plates and tabs
For plates or tabs, you must be the registered owner of the vehicle they're placed on.
You can use the disabled parking tab with special design plates or personalized plates.
You can't use the disabled parking tab with:
- Regular (mountain) background plates
- Disabled parking plates
- Exempt plates (for state or publicly-owned vehicles)
- Collector vehicle plates
- Horseless carriage plates
- Rideshare plates
Temporary disabled parking permits
If you have a temporary condition that meets the disabled parking requirements, you can apply for 1 red placard, which is valid for up to 1 year.
How to get a permanent or temporary permit for an individual
Follow these steps to apply for permanent or temporary disabled parking permits.
1. Gather all the necessary documents
Make sure you have all of the following:
Fill out the Disabled Parking Application for Individuals
You and your healthcare provider must complete the Disabled Parking Application for Individuals form (available in the following languages):
A prescription from your healthcare provider
Your healthcare provider must give you an original, signed prescription on letterhead or prescription paper to submit with your application. We do not accept photocopies of prescriptions.
Parents and guardians signing applications for minors
Parents and guardians signing the application for a minor child must complete a Certificate of Fact form stating that they are the parent or guardian of the child named on the application.
2. Submit your application
Bring your documents to a vehicle licensing office or mail your documents to:
Application and Issuance
Department of Licensing
PO Box 9043
Olympia, WA 98507
3. Wait for us to process your application
We will send you your placards, plates, or tabs after we process your application.
We will send you an "Individual with Disabilities Parking Privilege" ID card separately in 2–3 weeks. Keep it in your wallet or purse so that you can provide it to law enforcement upon request.
Temporary disabled parking permits
If you have a temporary disability placard, it's valid for up to one year from the date it was noted by your physician. When your placard expires, you must return it to a vehicle licensing office or mail it to the address above.
4. Use your disabled parking permit appropriately
- Never allow someone else to use your disabled parking permit without you
- Learn how to use your permit and where to park using your placard, plate, decal, or tab
- Keep your placard with you to hang on the rearview mirror of any vehicle you're transported in
- Keep your "Individual with Disabilities Parking Privilege" ID card with you in case law enforcement requests to see it
How to get permits for organizational vehicles
If your organization transports anyone who has a qualifying disability, you can apply for:
- Placards to hang on the rearview mirror of any vehicle that provides regular transportation.
- License plates for any vehicle that is registered with your organization and used for regular transportation.
Submit your application
Bring your completed Disabled Parking Application for Organizations and a copy of your current business license to a vehicle licensing office.
If you're applying for license plates, include a copy of the vehicle's current registration.
Annual status report
We no longer require organizations to provide us with annual April status reports.
How to renew disabled parking permits
How and how often you must renew depends on the type of permit you have.
Permanent disability placards for individuals
You must renew your permanent disability placard every 5 years. We will send you a renewal notice 45 days before the expiration date.
Have your doctor fill out the "Healthcare provider" section and provide you with a new original, signed prescription. We do not accept photocopies of prescriptions.
Disabled vehicle plates and tabs for individuals
You must renew vehicle plates and tabs every year.
Disabled placards for organizations
You must renew placards every 5 years Visit a vehicle licensing office and bring a completed Disabled Parking Application for Organizations and a copy of your current business license.
Disabled plates and tabs for organizations
You must renew vehicle plates and tabs every year. Visit a local vehicle licensing office to renew.
