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Disabled Person Parking Permits

Overview

Imaging of a disabled person exiting their vehicle on to a wheelchairThis page provides information about disabled person parking permits.

Special parking privileges are available for individuals with disabilities. Those who are certified by an authorized health care provider as having a permanent or temporary disability are eligible.

Note: Effective January 1, 2010, you will be required to submit a new certificate of disability each time you renew your disabled parking permit.

Use the links below to go directly to any section:

Types of Permits

There are several types of disabled person parking permits with a variety of privileges:

Renewable, Temporary, Temporary Duplicate (travel), Family, or Foreign Disabled Person Parking Permit
The renewable, temporary, temporary duplicate (travel), family or foreign disabled parking permit allows a person with a disability, or another person while transporting the person with a disability to or from the parking location to:

  • Park in a public parking zone that has a limit of more than 30 minutes.
  • Park in any space reserved for disabled parking with the exception of the wheelchair user spaces.

Note: Disabled parking spaces with a van accessible sign attached under the blue disabled parking sign should be left available for persons that are transported in a van due to a disability or those persons that have a wheelchair user permit.

Program Permit
The program disabled parking permit allows a person with a disability, or another person while transporting the person with a disability to or from the parking location to:

  • Park in a metered parking space for 3 hours or less while persons with disabilities are getting into or out of the vehicle;
  • Park in a public parking zone for 3 hours or less while persons with disabilities are getting into or out of the vehicle; or
  • Park in any space reserved for disabled parking, except for wheelchair user spaces.

Wheelchair User Permits
The Wheelchair disabled parking permit allows a person with a disability, or another person while transporting the person with a disability to or from the parking location to:

  • Park in a public parking zone that has a limit of more than 30 minutes without paying the parking meter fee;*
  • Park in a public parking zone that has a limit of more than 30 minutes without being charged overtime penalties; or*
  • Park in any space reserved for disabled parking.

*Local parking authorities may allow these privileges for any disabled parking permit holder.

Limitations 

Parking privileges for all types of disabled person parking permits do not apply to a zone where:

  • Parking is only permitted for 30 minutes or less:
  • Stopping, parking or standing of all vehicles is prohibited.
  • Late evening or overnight parking is prohibited.
  • Parking is reserved for special types of vehicles or activities.
Placard Styles Available

There are three different styles of disabled person parking permit placards currently in use. They have either a medium or a dark blue background:

As of January 1, 2008, a special disabled parking permit was made available for persons that use wheelchairs or low-powered motorized or mechanically propelled vehicles. They allow these individuals to use designated wheelchair users only parking areas. These permit placards have a medium blue background, display the words “Wheelchair User” on the lower portion of the permit and a large white "W" in the upper right-hand corner by the wheelchair insignia (shown on the right above).

To Qualify

You must meet the definition of a disabled person as outlined in ORS 801.387. Per ORS 801.387 a “Person with a Disability” is defined as:

  1. A person who has severely limited mobility because of paralysis or the loss of use of some or all of the person’s legs or arms;
  2. A person who is affected by loss of vision or substantial loss of visual acuity or visual field beyond correction; or
  3. A person who has any other disability that prevents the person from walking without the use of an assistive device or that causes the person to be unable to walk more than 200 feet, including but not necessarily limited to:
    1. Chronic heart condition;
    2. Emphysema;
    3. Arthritis;
    4. Rheumatism; or
    5. Ulcerative colitis or related chronic bowel disorder. [Formerly 801.235]
Validity/Expiration

The valid term varies by the type of disabled person parking permit:

Renewable Disabled Person Parking Permit
A renewable permit is valid until the expiration of the holder's driver license or ID card. The permit must be renewed when the license or ID card is renewed, and a certificate of disability must be submitted each time the permit is renewed.

Temporary Duplicate (travel) Disabled Person Parking Permit
A temporary travel permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance, and you must have a current valid parking permit in order to get a duplicate.

Temporary Disabled Person Parking Permit
A temporary permit is valid for the length of time the physician deems necessary, not to exceed 6 months.

Wheelchair User Disabled Person Parking Permit
A wheelchair user permit is valid until the expiration of the holder's driver license or ID card. The permit must be renewed when the license or ID card is renewed, and a certificate of disability must be submitted each time the permit is renewed.

Family Disabled Person Parking Permit
A family permit is valid for 8 years from issuance.

Program Disabled Person Parking Permit
A program permit is valid for 8 years from issuance.

Foreign Disabled Person Parking Permit
A foreign visitor permit is valid for 30 days from issuance.

To Apply

To apply for a disabled person parking permit you must:

  • Have a valid Oregon Driver License or an Identification Card to obtain a renewable, temporary duplicate (travel) or wheelchair permit;
  • Complete the application for Parking Permit for an Individual with a Disability (Form 735-265), including licensed physician's signature; and
  • Submit your completed application in person at a DMV office or by mail (depending upon the specific instructions listed below for each type of permit) to:
DMV Driver Issuance Unit
1905 Lana Ave NE
Salem , OR 97314

Additional instructions for specific permit types:

Temporary Disabled Person Parking Permits
You may apply in person or by mail.

Renewable Disabled Person Parking Permits
If you have a current, valid Oregon Driver License or ID Card, you may apply in person or by mail. If you do not have a current, valid Oregon Driver License or ID Card you will need to apply in person.

"No Photo" Parking Identification Cards
If you qualify for a "no photo" parking identification card as certified by your physician, then you must apply by mail.

Family or Program Disabled Person Parking Permits
You must apply by mail.

To Return or Replace

If you have a disabled person parking permit and you are moving out of the state, you must return it to the Oregon DMV either before or immediately after you move.

Unused and found permits, or permits that were held by a deceased person should be returned to DMV immediately.

Permits may be returned in person at a DMV office or by mail. If returning a permit by mail, please include a note with a brief explanation of why it is being returned.

Contact DMV if your disabled person parking permit placard is damaged, lost or stolen.

Disabled Person License Plates

The only disabled person plates issued by DMV are Disabled Veterans Plates and they do not allow parking in disabled person parking spaces. The purpose of these plates is to identify and honor the sacrifices made by veterans.

If you have Disabled Veteran plates on your vehicle, you will also have to apply for a disabled person parking permit if you want to use parking spaces reserved for persons with disabilities.

Reciprocity

Oregon recognizes disabled person parking permits that are issued by other states for the purpose of identifying vehicles permitted to utilize parking spaces reserved for persons with disabilities.

Fees

There is no fee required for obtaining a disabled person parking permit.

Related Information

Additional information that may be relevant includes: