Having a disabled parking permit can help you to navigate the state, and the state’s parking lots, with considerable ease. Your disabled parking permit can be a tool to make your life much easier! However, it’s only as good as your knowledge of how to use it.

Taking a few minutes to review the rights and responsibilities associated with your New York Disabled Parking permit can help you extract the most use from your permit. It can also help you reduce the risk of your permit being taken away due to disciplinary action. Read on for a complete guide to the rights and responsibilities associated with your New York Disabled Parking Permit.

When to Use Your Disabled Parking Permit

Possibly the most important rule to remember in properly utilizing your New York disabled parking permit is the placement and timing of using your permit. To make you eligible for using protected, designated parking spaces for disabled use only, when your car is parked, you need to hang your permit placard from your rear-view window in the front of your car.

However, it is very important that it is only placed there when the car is not moving. Having a large dangling object swinging in your field of vision while you are driving is very dangerous and highly illegal. Therefore, forming a habit of putting the placard up after you are parked and taking it back down before the vehicle is in motion is highly advised.

Who Can Use Your Disabled Parking Permit

You should definitely note that the state of New York issues disabled parking permits to you, and not to a specific vehicle. You can therefore use it in any care you happen to be using.

However, it is very important to note that the only time a disabled parking permit can be used to legally occupy a disabled parking spot is when the disabled person who owns the permit is either driving or riding in the car. If this rule is not followed, this can be fined by any ticketing officer for up to $75 for a first-time offense, and up to $150 for a secondary offense.

Where to Use Your Disabled Parking Permit

The New York State Disabled Parking Permit will allow you to park in any spot demarcated as a disabled-only parking space within the state of New York. However, this permit does not override or trump any local ordinances or rulings by local authorities. Make sure to follow the directives given on signs posted locally; your permit does not give you power over them.

Additionally, your disabled parking permit will work outside of New York. Use it in the same way you would in your home state, pay attention to signs posted on-site, and it should enable you to park wherever you want anywhere you may be driving.

How to Tell Which Parking Spaces are Disabled Parking Spaces

The whole point of your disabled parking permit is that you are able to park in these specially set aside parking spaces for easier accommodations. However, you can only park in these spaces if you know which ones they are.

In New York State, the parking spaces set aside for disabled persons are designated by:

  • Permanent and conspicuous signs that are installed above the ground near the parking spot, that display the International Sign of Access (the wheelchair symbol). They must be about five to seven feet above the ground at the head of the parking spot.

Your Disabled Parking Permit and Access Aisles

Access aisles are the striped blue and white portion of the ground immediately next to a properly designated disabled parking spot. They are usually included whenever there is more than one disabled parking space in a small area.

These aisles exist for the sole purpose of helping those with disabilities to exit and enter their cars. They provide a buffer area between cars so those with access ramps, wheelchairs, and mobility issues have enough room to do what they need to do.

Whether you have a disabled parking permit or not, do not park in such a way as to obstruct the access aisles. If you do, you may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including the revocation of your parking permit.

Disabled Parking Permits if You Live in New York City

As New York City is home to especially congested streets and traffic issues, New York City does not set aside special areas on its streets for disabled parkers. To help disabled drivers, however, the city does issue a city permit to allow curbside parking opportunities not available to other cars, as well as free metered parking.

To inquire further about this opportunity and request application materials, visit the New York City Department of Transportation website.

Renewing Your Disabled Parking Permit

Whether you have a permanent or temporary disability that affects your mobility, you will have to renew your disabled parking permit periodically so that the city is aware of you, and to confirm that your disability is still relevant for the service. To renew your disabled parking permit, please contact the city clerk in your neighborhood. The renewal process is identical to the initial application process.

Having a New York state disabled parking permit can help you make your own life a lot easier, between running errands and going about your daily transportation needs! However, your permit is only good if you know how to use it. Whenever you need a refresher on the rights and responsibilities associated with your New York state disabled parking permit, make sure to refer to this guide for all the details you will need.

As you use your New York disabled parking permit, remember to put it up when you park and take it down before you drive away. Set yourself a reminder to renew your permit as applicable to make sure you can always enjoy the privileges associated with your New York disabled parking permit.