Photo: Jan van der Wolf / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.
In Ireland the Disabled Person’s Parking Card (also called the disabled parking permit) is issued on behalf of the Department of Transport by two bodies: the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI) and the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA). You qualify if you have a permanent condition or disability that severely restricts your ability to walk, and people who are registered blind also qualify. The card belongs to the person, whether they drive or are a passenger, so a learner can use it in any car they travel in. It costs €35 and lasts two years (as of November 2026).
Key facts
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Issued by | DDAI or IWA, on behalf of the Department of Transport |
| Who qualifies | A person with a permanent condition or disability that severely restricts their ability to walk; people certified blind |
| Driver or passenger? | Either. Any driver or passenger meeting the criteria can get one |
| Fee | €35 (the review describes this as the application fee charged by both bodies) |
| Validity | Two years, then renew |
| Medical evidence | Your GP completes the medical section, unless you hold a Primary Medical Certificate or are certified blind |
How to apply
- Choose an issuing body: the DDAI or the IWA. Both use similar forms.
- Complete your personal details and attach a passport-size photo. The forms also include a Garda identity certificate section.
- Ask your GP to complete the medical section describing your walking ability, use of aids or a wheelchair, and other relevant conditions. If you hold a Primary Medical Certificate, the IWA has a separate, shorter form. The IWA also has a form for people with a vision impairment, run with Vision Ireland.
- Send the application and the €35 fee. If you are refused, both bodies must offer you an appeal.
Check the current form and any updated fee on the DDAI or IWA site before you apply.
Can a learner driver use the card?
Yes. The card is issued to a person, not a vehicle: individual cards do not show a registration number. If you hold a card, you can display it in your EDT instructor’s car or a family car you practise in. If your parent holds a card, it can be used when they are travelling with you, for example as your accompanying driver. Both application forms include a “conditions for use” section; read it, because misuse can lead to the card being withdrawn.
Parking card vs Primary Medical Certificate
| Disabled Person’s Parking Card | Primary Medical Certificate | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is for | Using accessible parking bays | Qualifying for tax relief on an adapted vehicle |
| Who issues it | DDAI or IWA | A separate medical assessment process |
Holding a Primary Medical Certificate makes the parking card application simpler, because the GP medical section is not needed. The tax relief scheme for adapted cars is explained in Learning to drive in Ireland with a disability.
Is the scheme changing?
The Department of Transport commissioned a review of the Disabled Parking Scheme, completed by Indecon in January 2024. It looked at the application process, eligibility, enforcement and the number of accessible bays. Any changes that follow could affect eligibility, fees or how cards are issued, so check with the DDAI or IWA before applying or renewing.
Where you can park with the card
The card lets you use designated disabled parking bays. Where these are, and the general parking rules every learner must know, are covered in Parking rules in Ireland: clearways, disabled bays and where you cannot park.
Back to the hub: Driving with a medical condition or disability in Ireland.
Sources
- Department of Transport, “Review of the Disabled Parking Scheme”, Indecon International Research Economists, 31 January 2024 (gov.ie)
- Citizens Information, “Disabled Person’s Parking Card” (citizensinformation.ie)
- Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland, “Who qualifies?” and “How to apply” (ddai.ie)
- Irish Wheelchair Association, “Guide to the Disabled Persons Parking Permit” (iwa.ie)