If a licensed healthcare provider certifies your temporary injury or permanent condition, you can get increased parking accessibility with a disabled placard or plate in Washington.

For anyone with a disability, driving can pose obstacles. To accommodate both temporary injuries and permanent conditions, every state offers placards and license plates for disabled drivers so they can access more convenient

parking spaces

. Since each state has unique regulations around disabled placards, it’s crucial to know where your home state stands.

We've compiled this guide for the 12.8% of Washington residents with a disability who may qualify for accessible parking.

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How to get a disabled parking placard or plate in Washington

To gain access to disabled parking spaces in Washington, you’ll need to have either of the following:

A red temporary placard (valid for up to 12 months)

A blue permanent placard (valid for five years)

To access either of these options, a licensed physician, physician’s assistant, or registered nurse practitioner needs to certify that you’re eligible for disabled parking privileges.

Who’s eligible for a disabled parking placard?

Washington’s requirements for receiving a disabled parking placard are aligned with most US states. You’ll qualify for access to disabled parking privileges under the following criteria:

You’re unable to walk 200 feet without stopping

You suffer from a severe sensitivity to light

You are legally blind

You have a serious lung disease or can’t breathe without an oxygen tank

You have a Class III or Class IV heart condition

You need a support device or person to gain mobility

You have an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic disorder that restrains your mobility

Your ability to walk is impacted by sensitivity to auto emissions

With a verified permanent disability, you can choose one of the following options:

Either one to two blue placards hanging on the rearview mirror of any vehicle you’re in

One blue placard and one set of disabled parking plates

One blue placard and one disabled parking tab

Keep in mind that the disabled parking placard can’t be used in parallel with the signature Washington mountain background plates, disabled parking plates, collector vehicle plates, horseless carriage plates, or rideshare plates.

If you have a temporary injury from surgery or an unexpected fall, you should hang the placard on the rearview mirror of the car you’re being transported in.

While a disabled parking plate could be the right choice for you depending on your situation and how often you drive, a placard is portable, granting you access to convenient parking spaces wherever you go.

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Washington car insurance laws

How to apply

A certified healthcare professional’s original signed prescription identifying your disability is paramount to your application for disabled parking privileges. Copies aren’t accepted, and the prescription needs to be printed on the medical professional’s letterhead to prove its legitimacy. The “Healthcare provider” section needs to be signed off on by your chosen care provider as well.

You can either present your documents to a

licensing office

or mail them to this address:

Application and Issuance

Department of Licensing

PO Box 9043

Olympia, WA 98507

Temporary parking placards won’t cost you any fees, but permanent placards cost $5. If you opt for a parking tab or disabled license plate, you’ll pay $13.75 or $32.75, respectively. You can expect to receive your placards or plates within two to eight weeks of submitting your application.

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Renewing a disabled parking placard

Your disabled parking placard comes with an expiration date, especially if it’s temporary. Washington has strict renewal policies, and this is what you’ll need to know to comply:

For a temporary disability placard (valid for up to one year), you need to submit a new application with a new medical certification

For a permanent disability placard (valid for up to five years), a renewal notice will be issued 45 days before the expiration, and you won’t need a new medical certification

Disabled license plates need to be renewed annually along with your vehicle

registration

Permanent disability parking tabs need to be renewed annually

If you don’t renew your disabled parking placards within 30 days of the expiration date, you’ll need to restart the process with a new medical certification and application form.

In some cases, placards can be misplaced, damaged, or stolen, which will require you to fill out an Affidavit of Loss with a Washington State notary. This form can either be mailed to the Department of Licensing or submitted in person.

Whenever a renewal takes place, you’ll need to turn in your original placards to receive new ones, including damaged placards.

Key Takeaway You can only obtain a disabled parking placard or plate with a disability certified by a healthcare professional, and you need to submit the appropriate forms and fees before they expire.

MORE: The most common types of car accident injuries

Guidelines for veterans with disabilities

In Washington, disabled license plates are available to any vehicle owners who served in the US armed forces, Reserves, or National Guard and meet the following requirements:

Received an honorable discharge or a medical honorable discharge

Are rated by the Veterans Administration or military service

Earn 100% service-connected compensation expected to last more than one year

These plates are free from license fees on one vehicle per year and are valid for the lifetime of the veteran. To access these plates, you’ll need to submit a

Military License Plate Application

and proof of your wartime disability.

To do this, you’ll need a letter of eligibility from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying your disability is 100% connected to your time of service. You’ll need to mail both your application and letter of eligibility to a vehicle licensing office.

On the application, make sure to check the box for Disabled American Veteran plates or Disabled American Veteran tabs and include any necessary fees.

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