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: Allows a person with a disability, or another person while transporting a person with a disability to:

Note: Van accessible disabled person parking spaces (have a van accessible sign attached under the standard blue disabled person parking sign) should be left available for special transport vehicles equipped with lift ramps requiring a wider access aisle.

Program Permit: Allows a person with a disability, or another person while transporting a person with a disability to:

Wheelchair User Permits: Allows a person with a disability, or another person while transporting a person with a disability to:

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

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

There are three different styles of disabled person parking permit placards currently in use. These have either a medium blue, dark blue or red background (click on any permit to see a larger view):

Medium Blue Placard: Provided for persons with disabilities that use wheelchairs or low-powered motorized or mechanically propelled vehicles for conveyance. They allow the holder to use special designated wheelchair user only parking spaces, in addition to the regular designated parking spaces (see Disabled Parking Signs for more information). These permits display the words “Wheelchair User” on the lower portion of the placard and a large white "W" to the right of the internationally recognized disabled persons symbol.

Dark Blue Placard: Provided for persons with disabilities on a permanent basis, i.e., they are renewable over and over again.

Red Placard: Provided for persons with disabilities on a temporary basis. They are issued for a limited time.

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

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

Renewable Disabled Person Parking Permit: 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: 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: Valid for the length of time the physician deems necessary, not to exceed 6 months.

Wheelchair User Disabled Person Parking Permit: 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: Valid for 8 years from issuance.

Program Disabled Person Parking Permit: Valid for 8 years from issuance.

Foreign Disabled Person Parking Permit: Valid for 30 days from issuance.

To apply for a disabled person parking permit you must:

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.

"Non-Photo" Parking Identification Cards: If you qualify for this card, as certified by your physician, then you must apply by mail.

Family or Program Disabled Person Parking Permits: You must complete the Application for Family Parking Permits for Disabled Persons (Form 265FPP) or the Application for Program Parking Permit (Form 265PP), and apply by mail.

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.

The internationally recognized disabled persons symbol is used to indicate which spaces are reserved for holders of disabled person parking permits.  Each parking space will have this symbol painted on the ground and displayed with standard text on a blue sign at the front.

 

International Symbol & Standard Text: These spaces are designated for all persons with disabilities. All persons that have a valid disabled person parking permit may park in these spaces.
 
Wheelchair User Only: These spaces are designated for persons with disabilities who use wheelchairs or similar low-powered devices. Only persons that have a valid wheelchair user permit (placard includes "Wheelchair User" and a large white "W") can park in these spaces.
 
Van Accessible: These spaces are designed with a wider access aisle for special transport vehicles equipped with a lift. Although all persons holding a valid disabled person parking permit may park in van accessible spaces, permit holders are asked to use a regular disabled parking space if they do not require the additional room. 
 
Van Accessible & Wheelchair User Only: Some spaces may display both “van accessible” and “wheelchair user only” signs. Anytime a “wheelchair user only” sign is posted, a person is required to have a valid “wheelchair user only” permit to park in the space.

 

View the brochure Oregon Disabled Parking Placard - How do I use it? for answers to frequently asked questions.

 

For detailed information on Disabled Signs and Permits, click on the poster below to see a larger version.

Note: You may want to check with local authorities about regulations governing parking fees in cities where you will be parking in reserved spaces for persons with disabilities.

The only disabled person license 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.

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.

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

Additional information that may be relevant includes: