Apply for a mobility parking permit - individual and temporary

If you're eligible, you can apply for a NSW Mobility Parking Scheme (MPS) permit for people with disabilities that affect their mobility.

The permit lets you park in disability parking spaces and access certain parking concessions.

You can apply for the permit yourself or ask someone you know to apply on your behalf.

• For an individual or temporary permit, apply online, download an application form, or get one from a service centre.
• For an organisation permit, see Organisation permit.

Which permit do I need?

• Individual permit – this is a blue card, valid for 5 years, for an eligible person with a permanent disability.
• Temporary permit – this is a red card, valid for up to 6 months, for an eligible person with a temporary disability, such as a leg injury.
• Organisation permit – this is for transporting eligible people with disability.

Motorcycles and convertibles. You can use a permit on an open-style vehicle like a motorcycle, motor tricycle or convertible sports car. But you must have registered the vehicle either in your name or in both your name and your partner's name. Follow the same application process. See Displaying your permit for how to display.

To confirm you're eligible for a permit, you need a medical report from your doctor or specialist.

Ask them to fill out the medical section of the Mobility Parking Scheme Application form.

Your doctor will confirm if you have a disability that affects your mobility and that meets the eligibility criteria.

If you're a NSW licence holder, ask your doctor if you need a medical assessment for fitness to drive at the same time.

You may also wish to ask your doctor for a letter supporting a photo exemption (see next step).

A Mobility Parking Scheme permit card has a photo, like on a driver licence. This helps prevent the misuse of permits.

If you already have a photo in our system, you may be able to use that photo. If not, you need to have a photo taken at a service centre when you submit your permit application.

Photo exemptions

You may be eligible for a photo exemption. For example, if you have a disability preventing you attending a service centre. You need to apply for this before you submit your permit application. You will need these documents to request a photo exemption:

• letter (from you or your carer) requesting the exemption
• completed permit application form
• supporting letter from a medical doctor (see previous step).

Post the documents to:

DRIVES Assurance
Transport for NSW
PO Box 3035
Parramatta NSW 2124

If approved, you'll receive a letter of exemption from us. You need to submit this when applying for a permit.

Before submitting your application, check you have:

• completed your personal details on the application form
• asked your doctor to complete and sign the medical report section of the form
• provided payment unless eligible for a free permit
• provided proof of your identity. If someone's applying on your behalf they'll need to provide their proof of identity as well as yours.   
• included a photo – check with Service NSW if you need a new one
• attached a photo exemption letter from Transport for NSW (if you need a photo exemption).

You can submit your completed application to a service centre or online.

If you’re not already recorded in our systems, you must come in person rather than send a representative.

Don't use disability parking places or concessions until we've approved your permit. We will notify you by post in around 2 weeks.

Once approved, we'll send you a NSW permit and an Australian disability parking permit.

You need to display both permits together to use disability parking spaces in NSW.

The permit lets you park in places with a disability parking sign for the sign-posted time.

The permit provides concessions such as free parking or extended time in some areas.

See Where you can use your permit for details about where, when and how to use your permit. There are special conditions to prevent misuse.

The permit lets you park in disability parking spaces for the signposted time. The permit provides concessions such as free parking or extended time in some other areas.