| HTMLPDF | 308-96B-010 | Definitions—Special parking privileges for individuals with disabilities. |
| HTMLPDF | 308-96B-020 | General provisions. |
| HTMLPDF | 308-96B-030 | Special parking privileges for persons with disabilities for organizations. |
PDF308-96B-010
Definitions—Special parking privileges for individuals with disabilities.
For the purposes of determining eligibility under chapter 46.19 RCW, for special parking privileges for individuals with disabilities, the following definitions apply:
(1) "Identification card" means the identification card bearing the name and date of birth of the person to whom the placard/plate/tab is issued.
(2) "Health care practitioner" means the individual qualified to determine disability as described in RCW 46.19.010(2) for the purpose of applying for special parking privileges. Health care practitioner does not include individuals licensed in the professions of dentistry and optometry.
(3) "Permanent" means a health care practitioner has certified the qualifying disability condition is expected to last at least five years.
(4) "Privilege" means the right to utilize the benefits associated with the special parking privileges for persons with disabilities.
(5) "Resident" means an individual who manifests an intent to live or be located in this state on more than a temporary or transient basis, or an individual or dependent of an Armed Forces member who is currently stationed in the state of Washington.
(6) "Signature" means any memorandum, mark, stamp, or sign made with intent to authenticate an application for a placard/plate, or the subscription of any person.
(7) "Written authorization" means a signed statement from a qualified health care practitioner, as defined in RCW 46.19.010(3), confirming the applicant meets a qualifying condition for disabled parking privileges.
(8) "Application" means the Disabled Parking Application for Individuals form (420-073), or any other department-approved application used for the purpose of issuing disabled parking privileges.
(9) "Electronic means" includes, but is not limited to, email, a patient portal, or digital signature software.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.19.010, 46.19.040, and 2026 c 257. WSR 26-16-020, s 308-96B-010, filed 7/24/26, effective 8/24/26. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110, 46.19.020, 46.19.040, and 46.19.050. WSR 24-08-011, § 308-96B-010, filed 3/21/24, effective 4/21/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110, 46.19.020, and 46.19.040. WSR 18-24-057, § 308-96B-010, filed 11/29/18, effective 12/30/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.12.381. WSR 07-20-111, § 308-96B-010, filed 10/3/07, effective 11/3/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.16.381. WSR 06-19-079, § 308-96B-010, filed 9/19/06, effective 10/20/06.]
PDF308-96B-020
General provisions.
(1) Qualifications. Special parking privileges are available to Washington residents and members of the armed forces stationed in Washington. The applicant must have a qualifying disability as defined in RCW 46.19.010(1). Only qualified health care practitioners as defined in RCW 46.19.010(2) may determine qualifying disabilities.
(2) Applying for special parking privileges. For original issuance and renewals, applicants submit the following to the department or a vehicle licensing office:
(a) An application complete with:
(i) A health care practitioner's signature and certification that the applicant has a qualifying disability described in RCW 46.19.010(1);
(ii) The applicant's signature;
(b) A health care practitioner's written authorization provided either on office letterhead, prescription paper, or by electronic means described in subsection (3) of this section. The statement must include:
(i) The name of the individual eligible for special parking privileges;
(ii) Confirmation the individual has a qualifying condition;
(iii) The health care practitioner's signature.
(3) Submitting application documents. Except as required in (b) of this subsection, applications and authorizations may be originals or copies.
(a) A completed application printed on the health care practitioner's letterhead or prescription paper fulfills the requirement of subsection (2)(a) and (b) of this section.
(b) Any written authorization or application completed on prescription paper must be original.
(c) Health care practitioners may provide the following documents to the applicant by electronic means of their choosing:
(i) Written authorization unless completed on prescription paper;
(ii) The application.
(d) All electronic documents must contain a manual or electronic signature by the health care practitioner and applicant.
(4) Other acceptable signatures. An authorized representative of the applicant may sign the application if the applicant is a minor or unable to sign. The application must be accompanied by a copy of one of the following:
(a) A power of attorney;
(b) A Washington state court order or certification from the clerk of court confirming the court's action; or
(c) A declaration under penalty of perjury explaining why the applicant is unable to sign and explaining the signing person's association with the applicant. Example: Signature, Jane Doe, daughter.
(5) Parking privilege identification card. An identification card is issued to verify the individual has been granted parking privileges. The identification card must be available for display to law enforcement or parking enforcement officials.
Recent applicants who have not yet received the identification card may show the receipt they received at the time of application when requested.
(6) Duration of parking privileges.
(a) Temporary privileges are valid for the number of months authorized by the health care practitioner, up to 12 months. Expirations are determined from the date of authorization by the health care practitioner. The privilege is valid until the last day of the month of expiration.
(b) Permanent privileges are issued for five years from the date of authorization by the health care practitioner. The privilege is valid until the last day of the month of expiration.
(c) The expiration date can be located on the identification card or as marked on the placard.
(7) Renewing parking privileges.
(a) For a temporary privilege, if the condition continues beyond the expiration date, individuals must apply for a new privilege as described in WAC 308-96B-020(2).
(b) For a permanent privilege, the department will mail a notice before the privilege expires.
Individuals must apply for a new privilege as described in WAC 308-96B-020(2).
(8) Replacing parking placards or identification cards. To replace a parking placard or identification card, complete and sign a replacement form authorized by the department. A new parking placard or identification card will be issued, indicating the original expiration date. The placard or identification card being replaced are no longer valid and should be destroyed if located.
(9) Expired placard and identification card. Placards or identification cards no longer valid should be destroyed.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.19.010, 46.19.040, and 2026 c 257. WSR 26-16-020, s 308-96B-020, filed 7/24/26, effective 8/24/26. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110, 46.19.020, 46.19.040, and 46.19.050. WSR 24-08-011, § 308-96B-020, filed 3/21/24, effective 4/21/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.01.110, 46.19.020, and 46.19.040. WSR 18-24-057, § 308-96B-020, filed 11/29/18, effective 12/30/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.12.381. WSR 07-20-111, § 308-96B-020, filed 10/3/07, effective 11/3/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 46.16.381. WSR 06-19-079, § 308-96B-020, filed 9/19/06, effective 10/20/06.]
PDF308-96B-030
Special parking privileges for persons with disabilities for organizations.
(1) When can a qualifying organization use disabled parking license plate or parking placard? Qualifying organizations may only use a disabled parking license plate or parking placard when transporting any person who meets the criteria under chapter 46.19 RCW.
(2) How does a qualifying organization apply for special parking privileges for persons with disabilities? The organization must submit a completed application with appropriate documentation as indicated on the application.
(3) What does a qualifying organization receive when approved for parking privileges?
(a) Disabled parking license plates. These may be issued for vehicles registered to the organization; or
(b) Parking placard(s). These may be used only when the vehicle in which they are displayed is transporting persons who have or would qualify for the parking privilege.
(4) Is a qualifying organization issued an identification card? No.
(5) When do the disabled parking license plates or placard(s) for organizations expire? The placard expires five years from the date of issuance, on the last day of the month specified on the placard.
(6) When are the disabled parking license plates and/or placard(s) no longer valid? The individual with disabled parking license plates are no longer valid when:
(a) The plates/placard(s) expire;
(b) The privilege expires;
(c) The vehicle is no longer being used for the purpose of transporting individuals with disabilities;
(d) The disabled parking license plates/placard(s) have been canceled by department administrative action;
(e) The organization no longer qualifies;
(f) The organization's business license is canceled or expires; or
(g) If the privilege was issued in error.
(7) How does an organization replace placards or disabled parking license plates if they become lost, mutilated, destroyed, or stolen? The organization must complete and sign a department form explaining what happened to the placard or plate. A replacement placard or disabled parking license plate will be issued indicating the original expiration date.
(8) How does an organization renew its permanent parking placard(s)? The department will send a notice to the organization before the privilege expires. The organization must submit a completed application with appropriate documentation as indicated on the application.
(9) Does an organization qualify for disabled parking license plate tabs? No.