If you or someone you care for has a mobility disability, an Accessible Parking Permit (APP) in Ontario can make everyday travel significantly easier. Issued by ServiceOntario, Ontario Accessible Parking Permits allow eligible individuals or organizations to use designated accessible parking spaces located closer to entrances and key destinations. These permits help reduce physical strain, improve accessibility, and support safer, more independent travel for people with disabilities.
In this guide, we break down everything you need to know about Accessible Parking Permits in Ontario, including eligibility requirements, the different types of permits available, how to apply or renew, and what to do if your permit is lost, stolen, or seized. Whether you’re applying for the first time or helping someone else navigate the process, this article will walk you through each step with clarity and confidence.
How do I know if I’m eligible for an Accessible Parking Permit?
The first step to understanding Accessible Parking Permits is to determine whether you are eligible for one. “An accessible parking permit holder is the person who has the eligible health condition and will be named on the Accessible Parking Permit,” according to ontario.ca. To obtain an APP in Ontario, you will need to send a letter from your healthcare practitioner. Practitioners include:
- Physicians
- Chiropractors
- Nurse practitioners
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational therapists
- Chiropodists
- Podiatrists
What must this letter contain?
This letter must confirm that you have an eligible health condition. These health conditions include, but are not limited to:
- Inability to walk without a wheelchair, brace or crutch
- Lung disease to an extent that prevents you from breathing properly
- A portable oxygen tank is a medical necessity
- Cardiovascular disease that prevents an individual’s functional capacity
- Arthritic, neurological or musculoskeletal disease that prevents walking
- Vision is 20/200 or poorer in the better eye with corrective lenses
- One or more functional impairments limit mobility
The 5 Types of Accessible Parking Permits
Once you determine whether you are eligible for an APP, your next step is to decide which permit to apply for. There are five different permits available, each with its own restrictions and uses. Remember, all of these permits require identification that displays your full name, signature, and date of birth.
Photo: ontario.ca
1. Permanent permit
If your regulated healthcare provider determines you have a permanent disability, you may apply for a permanent permit. A permanent permit is valid for 5 years and can be renewed without a recertification from your healthcare provider.
2. Subject to change permit
If your healthcare provider determines that your disability is subject to change, you may apply for this permit. This is essentially the same as a permanent permit; however, you must have your healthcare provider recertify your permit to renew after five years.
3. Temporary permit
If your healthcare provider determines you have a temporary disability, you may apply for a temporary permit. This is valid for 12 months, and you must recertify with your healthcare provider to renew.
4. Traveller’s permit
If you hold an accessible parking permit but are travelling outside of Ontario, you can get a traveller’s permit to park your car where you depart. This can include an airport or train station. This way, you can keep your regular permit and use it during your trip. A traveller’s permit is only valid for 12 months, or for the remaining validation period of your APP. The length of your traveller’s permit is determined by whichever is shorter.
5. Company permit
If you are a company or organization that transports people with disabilities, you may get a company permit for your vehicles. Company permits last for 5 years, and you can renew them if your company/organization meets the required criteria.
How do I apply for an Accessible Parking Permit?
The application process for receiving an Accessible Parking Permit is very simple. You can visit your local ServiceOntario centre to get an application or download the online application form.
From there, you will fill out Part A of the application. Part B is for your healthcare practitioner to fill out. Once you are done, you can submit your application form online, in person, or by mail. You will need to bring a piece of ID showing your full legal name, date of birth and signature.
If you are applying on behalf of a child, make sure to include your identification along with the child’s. While you wait for approval, visit your nearest ServiceOntario location or call 1-800-387-3445 to see if you’re eligible for an interim permit.
What do I do if they seize my permit or it is lost?
Once you have your APP, it’s important to understand what to do if something happens to it. If it is seized, it will be brought to court. It is not possible to replace your seized parking permit until the issue is resolved in court. Call the Accessible Parking Permit service office at (613) 545 4651 for more information.
If your Accessible Parking Permit is lost, stolen or damaged, you can get a new one by filling out the form on the ServiceOntario website. To do this, you will need to have the following permit holder’s information handy:
- Full name (first, middle, last)
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Mailing and residential address
- Phone number
- Email address
- Driver’s licence number
If your Accessible Parking Permit is stolen, call the police to report it. This is because someone may be using it illegally! After contacting your local police, you will get an occurrence number that you will need during your application.
Can I park in an accessible parking spot without a visible permit? Can I use someone else’s permit?
The short answer is no. Ontario law permits you to clearly display your APP with all information visible on your dashboard or sun visor to park in an accessible parking space. Additionally, ONLY the permit holder can use this parking space, and it must be either a passenger or the driver of the vehicle. If someone ineligible uses the permit without the named permit holder in the vehicle, you can face fines up to $5,000 and permit seizure.
How do I renew my APP?
There are three ways to renew your information. You can either renew online, by mail, or in person. You are eligible to renew online if you have a permanent permit and consent to ServiceOntario reviewing your application again. Renewing online requires a driver’s licence number and ID. Renew online today!
However, if you’d like to renew by mail, you need to provide a photocopy of a government-issued ID that shows your birth date, signature, and full legal name. Once you complete the form, send it along with your (photocopy) ID to your closest ServiceOntario centre. Renewing in person is also possible. Make sure to bring your identification documents and complete the form before visiting a ServiceOntario near you.
What does it cost?
Obtaining or renewing an Accessible Parking Permit is free.
Can I apply for an APP if I have a motorcycle?
If you own a motorcycle and require an Accessible Parking Permit, you must apply for a decal to display on your licence plate. 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)
- Have a valid motorcycle plate attached to a motorcycle, or motor-assisted bicycle, which is owned or leased and registered in your name
Also, you’ll need to carry your APP with you at all times, even if the decal is displayed on your plate. You can apply online, in person, or by mail.
When should I return an Accessible Parking Permit?
You should return an APP to ServiceOntario within 30 days when:
- The person whose name is on the permit is deceased
- The permit holder is no longer a person with an eligible health condition
- The permit contains incorrect information
- The permit is cancelled
You can return a permit by mail or in person at a ServiceOntario centre.
What happens if I’m visiting Ontario and require a permit?
Through ServiceOntario, you can apply for a visitor’s APP if you can prove you have a valid:
- Permit issued by your home jurisdiction, or
- Number plate or other marker/device bearing the international symbol of access for a person with a disability issued by your home jurisdiction
Additionally, visitors to Ontario who are applying for a visitor’s Accessible Parking Permit must show:
- Proof of identity, which can be “one official out-of-province government document bearing name and address (ex. passport).”
- Plus one of the following:
- Out-of-Province (OOP) hospital card
- Healthcare practitioner’s certificate or letter
- Medical insurance document
- Another appropriate medical document
- Application for Accessible Parking Permit form (SR-LV-129), completed by a Regulated Healthcare Practitioner
The visitor permit is valid for the duration of the trip and for up to 6 months. “A sponsor may apply for a permit in advance of the visitor’s trip to Ontario. The sponsor will be required to provide all the documentation stated above for the visitor and valid identification for themselves.”
Accessible Parking Permits: Conclusion
Understanding how Accessible Parking Permits work in Ontario can make a meaningful difference for individuals and families managing mobility challenges. From determining eligibility and choosing the right type of permit to knowing your responsibilities as a permit holder, having the right information helps ensure you stay compliant while fully benefiting from the program. Accessible parking spaces are protected by law, and using them properly helps preserve access for those who truly need them.
If you believe you qualify for an Accessible Parking Permit—or already have one and need help navigating renewal, replacement, or related questions—being informed is the first step. And if accessibility needs intersect with your vehicle or insurance coverage, our team is here to help. Contact us today to review your current insurance needs and ensure you’re properly protected on and off the road.
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