Streamlining parking permit access for persons with disabilities in the UAE

The UAE Digital Parking Permit provides a single online gateway for people with disabilities to apply, renew and manage permits across all seven emirates. It cut approvals from weeks to minutes, issued over 13,800 permits since 2023, has >92% satisfaction and is government-funded.

Zayed Authority for People of Determination (ZHO) is a public entity in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) tasked to support persons with disabilities. In 2023, ZHO initiated the Issuing a Parking Permit for People of Determination scheme, which allows persons with disabilities and their families to apply online for parking permits in all seven emirates with the same procedure. By mid-2025 the platform had received almost 10,000 applications.

Problems Targeted

Before 2023, parking permits for people with disabilities and their families in the UAE required in-person visits and unique paperwork.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

The Issuing a Parking Permit for People of Determination scheme (UAE Digital Parking Permit) delivers a single digital gateway for persons with disabilities and their families to apply, renew, and manage parking permits across all seven emirates of the UAE remotely. Enabled by the Ministry of Interior and the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology, this e-service automates form verification, medical documentation, and eligibility rules, speeding up approval from weeks to hours and reducing the application process to just six steps. Applicants can use the mobile-responsive web/app portal to upload the required documents and interact with real-time support. This cloud-based process integrates with Emirati identity databases and local traffic authorities to provide instant activation of digital permit records and printable versions, improving transparency and user satisfaction. If the individual is unable to proceed independently, the TAMM Help Centre provides direct assistance through the TAMM Cares initiative, which includes home visits to support users in completing their applications. Since its launch in 2023, over 13,800 permits have been issued, with projections indicating a rise to approximately 18,520 by the end of 2025.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

The UAE Digital Parking Permit service was government-funded through ZHO with an initial investment of around $150,000 and is offered as a free service to citizens. Plans for expansion include broader automation, multilingual interfaces, and features for temporary and visitor permits. (#ZeroCall26)

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