Disabled parking · state
Washington Disabled Parking Permit
Washington Department of Licensing (DOL)
DOL issues three categories of disabled parking permits: Permanent (1-2 blue placards, or 1 blue placard plus disabled parking plates or yellow tab), Temporary (1 red placard, valid up to 1 year from the physician-noted date), and Organizational (for organizations transporting people with qualifying disabilities). Applicants receive an "Individual with Disabilities Parking Privilege" ID card separately, mailed within 2-3 weeks. Permanent placards must be renewed every 5 years (DOL mails a renewal notice 45 days before expiration, requiring a new healthcare-provider attestation).
Who qualifies
A licensed physician, physician assistant, or registered nurse practitioner must determine that the applicant meets at least one qualifying condition: cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest; severely limited mobility from arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition; cannot walk without a brace, cane, prosthetic, or other assistive device or human assistance; cannot walk and uses a wheelchair; legally blind with limited mobility; uses portable oxygen; restricted by lung disease (FEV less than 1 L/sec or arterial oxygen tension less than 60 mm/Hg at rest on room air); cardiovascular/cardiac condition Class III or IV (American Heart Association); acute sensitivity to automobile emissions limiting walking; or acute light sensitivity associated with porphyria. Temporary permits cover temporary qualifying conditions.
What it covers
Use of any specially designated disabled parking space; free parking on-street in any time-restricted space, including metered parking (excluding privately-owned lots and reserved zones such as fire lanes/loading zones). First placard is free; license plates and yellow tabs carry standard plate fees.
Cost
Initial placards are free. Disabled parking license plates and yellow disabled parking tabs require standard vehicle-licensing fees. Permanent placard renewal every 5 years; temporary placard valid up to 1 year.
How to apply
Applicant and a healthcare provider complete the Disabled Parking Application for Individuals (provider supplies an original signed prescription or electronic authorization-photocopies not accepted). Submit at any vehicle licensing office or mail to: Special Plate Unit, Department of Licensing, PO Box 9043, Olympia, WA 98507. Temporary permits may also be applied for online.
Source dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/get-or-renew-disabled-parking-permits