Get or renew disabled parking permits

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)

If your dependent has a permanent disability and meets the requirements, you can apply for 1–2 blue placards.

Temporary disabled parking permits

If you or your dependent have a temporary condition that meets the disabled parking requirements, you can apply for 1 red 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.

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

How to get a permanent or temporary permit for yourself or dependent

Follow these steps to apply for permanent or temporary disabled parking permits.

1. Gather all the necessary documents

For yourself

You and your healthcare provider must complete the Disabled Parking Application for Individuals form (English, Español, Русский, and more).

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.

For a dependent

Your dependent's healthcare provide must complete the Disabled Parking Application for Individuals form (English, Español, Русский, and more).

Your dependent's 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.

Caregivers, parents, and guardians signing the application for a dependent or minor child must complete a Certificate of Fact form stating their relationship to the named dependent on the application.

2. Submit the application

Bring all documents to a vehicle licensing office or mail them to:

Special Plate Unit
Department of Licensing
PO Box 9043
Olympia, WA 98507

Note: You can also submit your application for a temporary permit online.

3. Wait for us to process the application

We will send you the placards, plates, or tabs after we process the 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 you can provide it to law enforcement upon request.

4. Use your disabled parking permit appropriately

• Never allow someone else to use the disabled parking permit without you or your dependent present.
• 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.

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 and dependents

You must renew your and/or your dependent's permanent disability placard every 5 years. We'll send you a renewal notice 45 days before the expiration date.

Have your doctor fill out the "Healthcare provider" section of the renewal notice 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.

Disabled parking plate fees

Find out how much it will cost to purchase a disabled parking plate.