Eligibility

To get a new accessible parking permit or to renew your subject to change permit, your healthcare practitioner must certify that you have one or more of the following eligible health conditions:

  • cannot walk without a brace, cane, crutch, lower limb prosthetic device or similar assistive device or requires the assistance of a wheelchair or the assistance of another individual
  • suffers from lung disease to such an extent that his or her forced expiratory volume in one second is less than one litre
  • portable oxygen is a medical necessity
  • suffers from cardiovascular disease to such an extent that the individual’s functional capacity is classified as Class III or Class IV according to Nomenclature and Criteria for Diagnosis of Diseases of the Heart and Great Vessels, ninth edition, published by Little, Brown & Co. in 1994
  • severely limited in the ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological, musculoskeletal or orthopaedic condition
  • visual acuity is 20/200 or poorer in the better eye with corrective lenses, or whose maximum field of vision using both eyes has a diameter of 20 degrees or less
  • mobility is severely limited by one or more conditions or functional impairments

Types of permits

There are 5 types of accessible parking permits you may be eligible for:

If you have a permanent disability: you can get a permanent permit. It is valid for 5 years and can be renewed without re-certification from a healthcare practitioner.

If you have a disability that is considered subject to change: you can get a subject to change permit. It is valid for 5 years. To renew this permit, you are required to be re-certified by a healthcare practitioner.

If you have a temporary disability (up to 12 months): you can get a temporary permit. This permit is not renewable.

If you are travelling outside Ontario: you can get a traveller’s permit to park your car at the point of departure (Ontario Airport, Train Station etc.) while you use your regular permit during your trip. This permit is valid up to 1 year.

If you are a company or organization: you can get a company permit for every vehicle of your company or organization that is used primarily to transport people with disabilities on a non-profit basis. It is valid for 5 years and can be renewed.

Using the permit

If you are an accessible parking permit holder, you must always display your current permit on the dashboard or sun visor of the vehicle you are travelling in, so the permit number and expiry date is clearly visible.

Only the person named on the permit can use an accessible parking space.

If another person uses the permit without the permit holder in the vehicle, it can result in a fine of up to $5,000 and the permit may be seized.

Learn when to return a permit.

Cost and delivery

Cost

There is no cost to renew an accessible parking permit.

Delivery

Online or mail: Up to 3 weeks
At a ServiceOntario centre: 7 weeks

Apply for an accessible parking permit

Accessible parking permits (APPs) can be issued to a person or a company.

To be eligible, you need to have:

An individual accessible parking permit is issued to a person, not a vehicle. In order to park in an accessible parking space, the permit must be clearly displayed on the sun visor or dashboard of the vehicle and the permit holder must be either a passenger in, or a driver of, the vehicle that is using the accessible parking space.

You can get a permit as a passenger only, or as both passenger and a driver. Accessible parking permits may be issued if you have a temporary, subject to change or permanent disability.

To apply for an accessible parking permit, there are 2 parts to the application form:

  1. Read the eligible health conditions to see if you qualify
  2. Get an application form by visiting any ServiceOntario centre or downloading the accessible parking permit form
  3. Submit the completed form with identity documents showing proof of legal name, date of birth and signature to a ServiceOntario centre in-person or by mail

If you already have an accessible parking permit that has a permanent status, you can now renew online.

Regulated healthcare practitioners

When you apply, your condition can only be certified by a:

  • physician
  • chiropractor
  • registered nurse practitioner (extended class)
  • physiotherapist
  • occupational therapist
  • chiropodist
  • podiatrist

The healthcare practitioner will indicate on your application whether you have a permanent condition, temporary condition or subject to change condition.

Apply by mail

If you are applying by mail, send photocopies of your identity documents showing proof of legal name, date of birth and signature. Do not send your original identity documents.

Mail the completed PDF form and a copy of identification documents to:

ServiceOntario Accessible Parking Permit Services Office
P.O. Box 9800
Kingston ON  K7L 5N8

Apply in person at a ServiceOntario centre

Bring your application with the necessary identity documents to a ServiceOntario centre.

Find a ServiceOntario centre

Interim permit

While you are waiting for your permit to arrive in the mail, you may be eligible for an interim accessible parking permit from your local ServiceOntario centre.

Customers with an expiring or expired interim permit, who have not yet received their accessible parking permit, should contact ServiceOntario at 1-800-387-3445 for more information.

Apply for a motorcycle decal

If you would like to park a motorcycle in an accessible parking spot, you must apply for a decal for your motorcycle licence plate.

Eligibility

You can get a motorcycle decal if you:

  • hold an unexpired permanent or subject to change accessible parking permit 
  • hold a valid motorcycle driver’s licence (class M or M2)
  • own or lease a motorcycle or motor assisted bicycle

You must carry your accessible parking permit with you, even if the decal is displayed on your motorcycle plate when parking in an accessible parking space.

Apply online

To apply online, you will need your:

  • current permit number
  • your driver’s licence number (class M or M2)
  • licence plate number
  • motorcycle’s vehicle identification number (VIN)

Apply by mail

If you are applying by mail, state you are applying for a motorcycle accessible parking permit and include:

  • your full legal name
  • type of permit being requested (for example, motorcycle permit)
  • your current permanent or subject to change accessible parking permit number
  • your driver’s licence number (must be class M or M2)
  • the licence plate number of each motorcycle registered in your name to which the permit will be attached
  • a copy of your identification that proves legal name, date of birth, and signature

Mail your request to:

ServiceOntario Accessible Parking Permit Services Office
P.O. Box 9800
Kingston ON  K7L 5N8

Apply for a company vehicle accessible parking permit

Companies and organizations can apply for an accessible parking permit for vehicles that transport individuals with disabilities, provided that they meet eligibility criteria. You can get a company accessible parking permit for every vehicle that your organization owns or leases to provide transportation services to individuals with disabilities.

It is valid for 5 years and, if still required, must be renewed every 5 years.

To be eligible:

  • your company or organization must be registered and operating in Ontario
  • vehicles must be registered to your company or organization
  • vehicles must be owned or leased by your company or organization primarily to provide transportation services to persons with a disability on a non-profit basis

You can apply for a company vehicle accessible parking permit either online or by mail.

Apply online

If you need help applying online, check the company user guide.

Get a company permit

Apply by mail

If you are applying by mail, please state whether you are applying or renewing and include the following on your company letterhead:

  • a declaration stating that the vehicles are primarily used to transport people with disabilities on a non-profit basis
  • proof that the vehicles are primarily used to transport persons with disabilities (for example, copies of valid contracts)
  • describe the nature of your business 
  • list the licence plate and vehicle identification numbers for each vehicle
  • submit proof of operation, such as:
    • articles of incorporation
    • master business licence
    • letters patent under the Corporations Act
    • charter
    • company seal imprint
    • certified copy of declaration of partnership
    • First Nations band letter with number

Mail your request to:

ServiceOntario Accessible Parking Permit Services Office
P.O. Box 9800
Kingston ON  K7L 5N8

Apply for a visitor accessible parking permit

ServiceOntario centres may issue a visitor permit for general use to a visitor in Ontario. You must prove that you hold a valid permit in your home jurisdiction. This may include:

  • accessible parking permit from your home jurisdiction
  • number plate or other marker or device bearing the international symbol of access for persons with a disability, or
  • other evidence that you are from another jurisdiction and have a disability

Visitors to Ontario who are applying for a visitor’s accessible parking permit must provide the following acceptable proof:

  • one out-of-province/country government- issued document bearing the name and address of the applicant plus one of the following:
    • application for an accessible parking permit completed by a recognized healthcare practitioner
    • out-of-province/country hospital card
    • healthcare practitioner’s certificate or letter
    • medical insurance document
    • another appropriate medical document

The visitor permit will be valid for up to 6 months. A sponsor may apply for a permit in advance of the visitor’s trip to Ontario.

Find a ServiceOntario centre

Travel with an accessible parking permit outside of Ontario

You can get a traveller permit if you have a valid accessible parking permit and plan to park your car in an accessible parking spot during your travel. For example, parking at an Ontario airport or train station.

The traveller permit must be displayed in the parked vehicle at the point of departure. The original permit travels with you.

Apply online

To apply online, you will need your permit number.

Apply by mail

If you are applying by mail, please include the:

  • type of permit being requested (travellers permit)
  • name and residential address of the permit holder 
  • valid permit number

Mail your written request to:

ServiceOntario Accessible Parking Permit Services Office
P.O. Box 9800
Kingston ON  K7L 5N8 

Traveller permits are issued for a maximum of 12 months or to the expiry date of the accessible parking permit (whichever comes first).

If you want to use your accessible parking permit outside of Ontario, you should contact the authorities in the location(s) you are travelling. Always follow the local rules and regulations where you are travelling.

Acceptable identification

To apply for an accessible parking permit, you must provide proof of the following three elements of your identity:

  • legal name
  • date of birth
  • signature

If applying by mail, send copies of your identification documents only. Do not send original identity documents.

Note: Seniors 80 years of age and older as well as veterans of any age, can provide documents that have been expired up to 10 years to prove legal name, date of birth, and signature. If you require more information, please contact us at 1-800-387-3445.

Documents that provide proof of all three elements of identity (legal name, date of birth and signature)

  • Passport – Canadian or Foreign (not expired more than one year)
  • Canadian Citizenship Card with photo (issued prior to February 1, 2012)
  • Canadian Permanent Resident Card with signature
  • Record of Landing (Form IMM 1000)
  • Confirmation of Permanent Resident (Form IMM 5292)
  • Report Pursuant to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act with photo (Form IMM 1442)
  • Student Authorization/Study Permit (Form IMM 1442)
  • Employment Authorization/Work Permit (Form IMM 1442)
  • Visitor Record (Form IMM 1442)
  • Temporary Resident’s Permit (Form IMM 1442) – formally Minister’s Permit/Extension of Minister’s Permit
  • Secure Certificate of Indian Status Card (issued on or after December 15, 2009, by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada)
  • Driver’s licence, Enhanced driver’s licence or Ontario Photo Card – issued by the Government of Ontario (not expired more than one year)
  • Canadian Department of National Defence driver’s licence (Form DND 404)

Documents that can be combined to provide proof of all three elements of identity (legal name, date of birth and signature) when shown together

Proof of legal name and date of birth

  • Canadian Birth Certificate or a proof of birth document issued by a US jurisdiction
  • Canadian Permanent Resident Card without signature (issued after February 4, 2012)
  • Certified copy of Statement of Live Birth – issued by the Government of Ontario
  • US Passport Card

Proof of legal name

  • Certified copy of marriage certificate – issued by the Government of Ontario

Proof of legal name and signature

  • Certificate of Indian Status (laminated card issued by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada)

Proof of date of birth

  • Nexus Card and FAST/EXPRESS Card

Proof of signature

  • Driver’s licence or enhanced driver’s licence – issued by another Canadian or US jurisdiction
  • Ontario Health Card
  • Identity card issued by a Canadian or US jurisdiction (enhanced or non-enhanced)
  • Ontario Student Card with signature
  • Declaration from a Guarantor (Form SR-LD-40)
  • Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) Identity Card

Authorized representatives

If an authorized representative is applying on your behalf, you must sign the application form and provide copies of your identity documents. Your identity documents must prove your legal name, date of birth and signature.

If you are unable to sign the application form and an authorized representative has signed the application form on your behalf (not applicable to dependents under the age of 18), the application must be accompanied by one of the following:

The authorized representative must also provide their identity documents that prove:

  • legal name
  • date of birth
  • signature

Information and assistance in obtaining a Power of Attorney (POA) can be obtained through the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee. For detailed information contact:

Learn more about Power of Attorney

Return a permit

The permit must be returned to ServiceOntario within 30 days when the:

  • person named on the permit is deceased
  • permit holder is no longer a person with an eligible health condition
  • permit contains incorrect information
  • permit has been cancelled

Return a permit by mail to:

ServiceOntario Accessible Parking Permit Services Office
P.O. Box 9800
Kingston ON  K7L 5N8

Return a permit in-person at a ServiceOntario centre:

Find a ServiceOntario centre

Report misuse or abuse of a permit

ServiceOntario does not oversee the use or enforcement of accessible parking areas. This is the responsibility of municipal and provincial law enforcement officers.

Please contact your municipality if you suspect abuse or misuse of an accessible parking permit, or have questions related to accessible parking locations.

Contact us

If you need more information, please call us Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at:

Updated: September 01, 2021
Published: June 05, 2013