Blue Badge Scheme
What is the Blue Badge scheme?
Blue Badges allow cars carrying people who are registered blind, or people who have severe walking difficulties, to be parked near shops, stations and other facilities.
Blue Badges are issued to individuals not vehicles. You can use a Blue Badge as a driver and a passenger. You should transfer your Blue Badge to whichever vehicle you are using for that journey.
The Blue Badge is recognised throughout Europe.
Who can get a Blue Badge?
You are automatically eligible if:
- you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
- you receive a War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement
- you are registered blind.
You may be eligible if you:
- drive a vehicle regularly, have a severe disability in both arms, and are unable to operate, or have considerable difficulty in operating, all or some types of parking meter
- are unable to walk or have considerable difficulty in walking because of a permanent and substantial difficulty. This difficulty needs to be at a level where you would qualify for the higher rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA). If you are aged between 3 and 65 you are eligible for DLA and will be asked to apply for it before you apply for a Blue Badge. The result of your DLA assessment may mean that you automatically qualify for a Blue Badge.
If you do not automatically qualify for a Blue Badge we may have to do an assessment of your situation.
National government guidelines state that you do not qualify for a Blue Badge if your condition is temporary such as a hip replacement or broken bones.
Children under two may qualify if, due to a specific medical condition, they need to travel with bulky medical equipment or be close to a vehicle for emergency medical treatment. These badges will expire on the day after the child’s second birthday. Further information on this can be found in the new Blue Badge scheme regulations published by the Department for Transport.
Organisations caring for disabled people meeting the above criteria may be able to get a badge, but this is entirely at our discretion.
How can I apply for a Blue Badge?
Download the correct application form below and return it to the address shown on the form. Please note that each individual person applying for a Blue Badge must complete an application form unless applying as an organisation.
Standard application form
Most people who apply will need to use this form.
Standard application form [WORD 539KB] 
Standard application form [PDF 137KB] 
Application form for children under two years old
Use this form if you are applying for a Blue Badge for a child who is less than two years old. If you are applying for a child who is over two years old use the standard application form.
Child under two application form [WORD 394KB]
Child under two application form [PDF 80KB]
Application form for people with severe arm disabilities
Severe arm disability application form [WORD 430KB]
Severe arm disability application form [PDF 89KB]
Application form for organisations
Organisations application form [WORD 339KB]
Organisations application form [PDF 89KB]
If my application is successful, when will I receive my badge?
It can take up to 8 weeks to issue your blue badge. However, we aim to issue them within two to four weeks.
Will you send me a new Blue Badge when my current one expires?
We will not send you a new badge automatically or a reminder. Remember, it is your responsiblity to re-apply for a new Blue Badge when your current one expires.
I have changed my address do I need to notify anybody?
If you are staying within the area which your Blue Badge was issued then you should contact that office for administrative purposes. If you are moving to another Council area, contact your new Council 6 weeks before your badge is due to expire and they will send you the appropriate application form to re-apply.
What do I do if my Blue Badge is lost or stolen?
If your Blue Badge has been lost or stolen please contact the Customer Service Centre.
How do I report the misuse of a Blue Badge?
You should report the misuse of a badge to the Customer Service Centre or, if known, the office which issued the badge (this will be clearly shown on the Blue Badge). You could also contact the Police as it is a criminal offence to misuse a Blue Badge and could lead to a £1,000 fine. A badge can be withdrawn if you misuse it or allow others to misuse it.
Where can I find out more?
Back to top
| 
