How to apply for a disability parking permit
An Easy Read guide about what you need to do to get a disability parking permit.
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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.
About the permit
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You must meet certain rules to apply for a permit.
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For example, you must have a disability or injury that affects how well you can:
- move your body
- see.
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You can find out more on the page Who can apply for a disability parking permit on our website.
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There are 3 types of permits you can apply for.
We explain them below.
Individual permit
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You can apply for an individual permit if you have a disability that will last your whole life.
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An individual permit:
- is a blue card
- lasts for 5 years.
Temporary permit
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You can apply for a temporary permit if you have a disability that will last a short time.
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A temporary permit:
- is a red card
- lasts for up to 6 months.
Organisation permit
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You can apply for an organisation permit if your job is to drive people with disability to different places.
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The people you drive need to either have a disability that will last a:
- long time
- short time.
Before you apply
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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.
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We explain this on our page about Who can apply for a disability parking permit.
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You also need to have documents that:
- show who you are
- have your personal information on them.
For example, a drivers licence or passport.
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If someone else applies for your permit, they also need documents that show who they are.
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You might need to get your photo taken for your permit.
You can go to a service centre to get your photo taken.
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You can find a centre near you on the Find a service centre page on the Service NSW website.
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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.
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You need to ask for a photo exemption before you apply for a permit.
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You need to send a:
- letter asking for a photo exemption
- medial report from your doctor
- permit form you have filled out.
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You need to send these to:
DRIVES Assurance
Transport for NSW
PO Box 3035
Parramatta NSW 2124
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We will send you a letter if we approve your photo exemption.
You must include this letter when you apply for a permit.
How to apply
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You need to fill out a form to apply for a permit.
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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.
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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.
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You will need to make sure your doctor:
- fills out the medical section of your form
- signs the form.
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You can fill out your form online on the Service NSW website.
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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.
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You can find a centre near you on the Find a service centre page on the Service NSW website.
After you apply
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You can’t use car parks that are saved for people with disability until we approve your permit.
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It can take up to 2 weeks to approve your permit.
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If we approve your permit, we will send you:
- a New South Wales (NSW) permit
- an Australian disability parking permit.
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You must show both permits on your vehicle.
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You can find out about where you can use your permit on our page.