How to apply for a disability parking permit

In this guide, we explain how you can apply for a disability parking permit.

A disability parking permit lets someone use car parks that are saved for people with disability.

In this guide, we call them permits. 

You must meet certain rules to apply for a permit. 

For example, you must have a disability or injury that affects how well you can:

• move your body
• see. 

You can find out more on the page Who can apply for a disability parking permit on our website. 

There are 3 types of permits you can apply for.

We explain them below.

You can apply for an individual permit if you have a disability that will last your whole life. 

An individual permit:

• is a blue card
• lasts for 5 years. 

You can apply for a temporary permit if you have a disability that will last a short time. 

A temporary permit:

• is a red card
• lasts for up to 6 months. 

You can apply for an organisation permit if your job is to drive people with disability to different places. 

The people you drive need to either have a disability that will last a:

• long time
• short time.  

You need to have proof of your disability before you apply.

For example, a medical report from your doctor that includes information about your disability. 

We explain this on our page about Who can apply for a disability parking permit. 

You also need to have documents that:

• show who you are
• have your personal information on them.

For example, a drivers licence or passport. 

If someone else applies for your permit, they also need documents that show who they are. 

You might need to get your photo taken for your permit.

You can go to a service centre to get your photo taken. 

You can find a centre near you on the Find a service centre page on the Service NSW website. 

If you can’t visit a service centre because of your disability, you can ask for an exemption.

When you don’t have to do something, we call it an exemption. 

You need to ask for a photo exemption before you apply for a permit.

You need to send a:

• letter asking for a photo exemption
• medial report from your doctor
• permit form you have filled out. 

You need to send these to:

DRIVES Assurance

Transport for NSW

PO Box 3035

Parramatta NSW 2124 

We will send you a letter if we approve your photo exemption.

You must include this letter when you apply for a permit. 

You need to fill out a form to apply for a permit.

You can fill out the form on your own.

Or you can ask someone to fill out the form for you.

For example, a family member or friend. 

You can download the form from the Service NSW website. 

You can also get the form from a service centre.

You can find a centre near you on the Find a service centre page on the Service NSW website. 

You will need to make sure your doctor:

• fills out the medical section of your form
• signs the form. 

You can fill out your form online on the Service NSW website. 

If this is your first time applying for a permit, you will need to visit a service centre to:

• send your form
• have your photo taken.

You don’t have to visit in person if you have a photo exemption.

You can find a centre near you on the Find a service centre page on the Service NSW website. 

You can’t use car parks that are saved for people with disability until we approve your permit. 

It can take up to 2 weeks to approve your permit. 

If we approve your permit, we will send you:

• a New South Wales (NSW) permit
• an Australian disability parking permit. 

You must show both permits on your vehicle. 

You can find out about where you can use your permit on our page.