If you or a loved one are dealing with a permanent or temporary disability which impedes your ability to park or makes mobility more difficult in the state of New York, you may be eligible for handicap parking. This may come in the form of a permit or license plate. In this guide, we will help you learn all of the information you may need to have about handicap parking in New York, including the application process and required documents.
How Would I Qualify for a Handicap Parking in NY?
There is a list of medical conditions which qualify for a handicap parking permit in New York. In order for your medical condition to be considered, you will need to have proof of a diagnosis done by a medical professional to certify that you are in need of special assistance.
The conditions have to do with limited mobility and difficulty a disabled may face due to physical ailment. According to the New York official Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website, the conditions to be eligible for handicap parking in NY include:
● Requiring portable oxygen support
● Being legally blind
● Unable to walk 200 feet without resting
● Unable to walk for orthopedic, neurological, or arthritic conditions
● Cardiac health conditions that are Class III or IV according to the American Heart Association
● Neuromuscular dysfunctions
● Lung disease
● Unable to use your legs or have limited leg usage
● Individuals who use portable oxygen tanks
● Temporary disabilities
If you qualify under one of these conditions, you may be eligible to receive a permanent or short-term disability parking permit. In the following section of the guide, we will look at what a proof of disability looks like and by who it must be certified in order to submit an application.
If you have any specific questions regarding the application procedure, your eligibility, or general questions about handicap parking in New York, contact your local DMV office for more information. You can locate your local DMV office by using the New York State DMV official website here.
What is a Temporary Parking Permit?
According to the New York DMV, a temporary parking permit is a permit valid for six months and “may be issued when a person has a temporarily disabling condition that makes the person unable to walk without a cane, crutches, a walker or other assisting device.” Once the date has expired, you will no longer be allowed to use the permit, even if the physical ailment persists. For an renewal, you will need to contact your local DMV office.
How to Apply for Handicap Parking in NY
If you have been diagnosed or certified with one of the above listed disabilities, you may qualify for a handicap parking in the state of New York. To receive the special parking, you will need to fill out an application which will require certain documents filled out in order to be considered. If you have a severe disability, you can apply for either a permanent permit or license plate.
Filling Out the Form
The application to receive a parking permit or license plate for a person with a severe disability is done by filling out this form. A family member is also allowed to fill out the form for you, so long as the necessary documents are provided in the application. You will then submit the application to your local DMV office.
For the form, you will need to have your medical condition certified. This can be done in four different ways:
- Having a medical professional out of the list below certify fill out the Medical Certification Part II of the form
- Getting a doctor certified statement that you have an eligible medical condition
- The condition can be waived by the DMV supervisor if your condition is clearly visible (i.e. a missing leg)
- By showing your previous disabled person’s license plate registration (certain conditions apply)
You do not need to be a driver or have a registered license in order to receive a permit. The permit allows for a car to park in a disabled-designated parking space as long as the disabled person whose name is on the permit is present either as a rider or driver.
Who Can Certify Part Two of the Form?
If you select option one, you will need to have the “permanent disability” medical certification portion filled out by a certified medical professional. The medical professionals qualified to fill out this portion include:
● Medical Doctor
● Doctor of Osteopathy
● Physician Assistant
● Nurse Practitioner
● Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
● Optometrist
The form also includes a section to be filled out with the disabled person’s personal information (name, address, phone number, DOB), whether they are applying for a permit or license plate, and a signature. You can see a detailed list of everything required for the application by following the link posted above.
Getting a Doctor’s Certified Statement
As per option 2, you can use a “statement from a doctor certifying that you have a qualifying disability” as a supplement to part two of the form. There are certain requirements for this certification. It must:
● Be less than one year old
● Describe your condition and why you are in need of handicap parking
● Be on the medical professional or doctor’s letterhead
● Include the professional’s license number
● Have the professional’s signature
According to the DMV website, this kind of statement can also be issued by a hospital, clinic, medical facility, the NYS Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, or the NYS Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped in the Office of Children and Family Services.
Once your application is properly filled out, you will need to submit it to your local DMV. If you are applying for a license plate, you will be able to pick up the plates at any DMV office in New York. You will need to pay a 25$ administrative fee to replace your old plates with the new one.
How Much Does a Handicap Parking Permit Cost?
A handicap parking permit is free for New York residents. That being said, they do not exempt disabled drivers from paying required parking fees in parking lots and other paid parking. There is a $25 cost for people who receive a handicap parking license plate, however.
Can I Use My Disabled Placard on Another Car?
In New York, you are legally allowed to use your disabled placard on another car. The plancard is associated with the person, not the car, meaning that so long as the disabled driver is present in the vehicle using the permit or license, it is perfectly legal.
That being said, it is illegal for someone to use another person’s disabled parking permit if the disabled person is not present in the car either as a rider or driver. It is also highly disrespectful, especially if the person is not disabled, to use a disabled person’s permit or placard in order to utilize a disabled-designated parking space.
How Long is a Permanent Handicap Placard Good For?
The permanent handicap placard is typically valid for 5 years. Once your application is completed, submitted, and finally accepted, you will receive the expiration day as you receive either the license or permit. It is important to check the exact date of the expiration once you receive your license or permit so you don’t find yourself using an expired one, which could lead to a fine.
Can I Use My Placard From out-of-state in NY?
Yes. As long as you have the proper identification to prove that you are the legal holder of the placard, you can use your handicap placard from out-of-state legally in the state of New York. That being said, in order to receive a permanent parking ticket, you must be a resident of the state of New York.
Conclusion
Having a physical disability can make navigating day-to-day life very difficult for certain people, especially in the face of institutions not properly adapted to people with handicaps. Fortunately, the handicap parking laws in New York make it easier for people with disabilities to receive the extra space and assistance they may need.
It is important to remember that if you are not disabled, it is not only disrespectful, but it is in fact illegal to park in a parking space designated for disabled people. It is equally unlawful to use someone else’s disabled permit or license in order to use their parking.
In this guide, we went through the different kinds of handicap parking in the state of New York, how to apply for a disabled permanent or temporary permit or license plate, and certain FAQs you may have regarding the status of the handicap parking.