Parking for Persons with Disabilities Users Guide | Go Back | Home

Who Is Eligible For A Person With A Disability Parking (DP) Permit?
You may qualify for a DP permit if your doctor certifies that you have a mobility impairment that is based on one of the following criteria:

• You are unable to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest due to a diagnosed arthritic, neurological, orthopedic, renal, or oncological condition;
• You are unable to walk without the use of, or assistance from, a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair or other assistive device;
• You have restricted breathing due to lung disease to such an extent that your forced (respiratory) volume for 1 second  (when measured by spirometry) is less than 1 liter, or the arterial oxygen tension is less than 60 mm/hg on room air at rest;
• You use portable oxygen; or
• You have a cardiac condition to the extent that your functional limitations are classified in severity as Class III or Class IV according to the standards set by the American Heart Association.

How Do I Get  A DP Permit?
You may obtain an application form for a DP permit from county offices (listed on the back cover).  Application forms are also printable from our website.  Submit your completed application form to one of the county offices.  You must also show proof that you are a resident of Hawaii by presenting one of the following:

• A current state of Hawaii driver's license; or
• A state of Hawaii identification card; or
• A Tax Clearance Certificate of Hawaii Residency status; or
• A valid military I.D. by active military personnel stationed in the state of Hawaii.

If you knowingly falsify an application, your permit is subject to suspension or revocation.

If you are unable to apply in person due to your disability as indicated by your doctor on the application form, you may designate a representative to apply on your behalf.

What Kinds Of DP Permits Are Issued?
Four Year Placard.   You may obtain a four year DP placard if your disability is expected to last for at least 4 years.  It has a blue background color.
Temporary Placard.  You may obtain a temporary DP placard if your disability is expected to last from 1 to 6 months.  It has a red background color .

You may also obtain a second Four Year or Temporary placard.

Special License Plates.   You may obtain special license plates if your disability is expected to last for at least 4 years and you are the registered owner of the vehicle.  You can have only 1 placard if you have special license plates.

Identification Card.  An identification (ID) card is issued together with your Hawaii DP permit.  You must carry the ID card that was issued with your Hawaii DP permit and present it to any law enforcement officer upon request, whenever you use a parking space designated for persons with disabilities (applies only to Hawaii DP permits).

What Are The Fees For DP Permits?

• There is no fee for a four year DP placard.
• A $12 fee is charged for a temporary DP placard.
• A $12 replacement fee is charged for a lost, stolen, or mutilated placard. 
• Special license plates cost no more than the fee charged for similar license plates for the same class of vehicle.

The placard pictured in this brochure is the new placard as of January 1, 2002.  If you have a placard that was issued prior to this date, it will be honored until it expires.  However, you may exchange it for the new placard with the same expiration date.

Will My Hawaii DP Permit Be Recognized On The Mainland?
Yes.  All states recognize State of Hawaii DP permits.  In addition, local law enforcement will honor valid DP permits from other states or countries.

What Is The Penalty For Parking Illegally In A Space Designated For Persons With Disabilities?
If you use a parking space reserved for persons with disabilities without properly displaying a DP permit, you are subject to a minimum fine of $250.

May I Loan My DP Permit To Another Person?
No.  A person using your DP placard or special license plates is subject to a minimum fine of $250.  In addition, your DP placard or special license plates are subject to confiscation for any unauthorized use.

Do DP Placards, Special License Plates, and ID Cards Need To Be Returned?
Yes.  DP placards, special license plates, and ID cards should be returned when:

• they expire, or
• they are replaced or renewed, or
• they vehicle with special license plates is abandoned, sold, or
• given away, or
• the permittee is no longer disabled, or
• the permittee dies.

You can return DP placards, special license plates, and ID cards to the Disability and Communication Access Board or a county office listed on the back cover.

For More Information, Contact:
Disability and Communication Access Board
919 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 101
Honolulu, HI  96814
(808) 586-8121 V/TTY
Website: www.hawaii.gov/health/dcab
Email: dcab@doh.hawaii.gov

A Few Important Points

• Enforced 24 hours a day.
• You are responsible for ensuring the proper use of your DP permit.
• You may park your vehicle in spaces designated for persons with disabilities when you display your DP permit and carry your ID card.
• Do not park in an access aisle (the diagonally striped space next to a designated parking space).  Access aisles provide persons with disabilities additional room to enter and exit their vehicles and/or to load and unload mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, crutches, and walkers.
• If a lot is reserved (for employees or those with restricted access), you cannot park there unless you have permission.
• If an attendant is present to collect fees, you must pay the fee.
• You may use your permit to park along county streets without feeding the meter - subject to applicable time limitations.
• You must follow all rules regarding fees, time limits, etc.,  where parking is on residential and commercial properties.
• Tickets for parking violations are issued by local police departments and/or their deputized agents.
• A vehicle with an expired parking placard will be cited.
• The minimum penalty for illegal parking is a $250 fine, and the vehicle may be towed away at the owner's expense.
• Van accessible spaces are not restricted to van use. However, if you have a standard vehicle and there is a choice between a van accessible space and a standard vehicle space, do not occupy the van space.  Your action will allow a person who uses a van to make use of the space.
• You must hang the placard from the rearview mirror at all times when parking and remove it before driving.

Legal Authority:
Chapter 291, Part III, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and Title 11, Chapter 219, Hawaii Administrative Rules.

Where to Obtain a Parking Permit

City and County of Honolulu
Department of Customer Services
Licensing and Permits
P.O. Box 30310
Honolulu, HI  96820
Or Any Satellite City Hall
532-7710

County of Hawaii
Disabled Parking
Aupuni Center
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 8
Hilo, HI 96720
961-8005

Office of the Mayor/Executive Branches
Hanama Place, Suite103
75-5706 Kuakini Highway
Kailua-Kona, HI  96740
329-5226

County of Kauai
Finance Department
Driver Licensing Division
4444 Rice Street, Bldg. A, Room 480
Lihue, HI  96766
241-6550

County of Maui
County of Maui Service Center
Division of Motor Vehicles & Licensing
70 E. Kaahumanu Avenue, Suite A-17
Kahului, HI  96732-2176
270-7363

Driver Licensing Section
Public Works Building
100 Ailoa Street
Kaunakakai, HI  96748
553-3430

Driver Licensing Section
County Gymnasium
Fraser Avenue
Lanai City, HI  96763
565-7878

The information contained in this brochure is available in alternate formats, upon request.