Blue Badge Scheme

Overview

The Blue Badge scheme enables people who meet the eligibility criteria to maximise their independence by improving their access to services and facilities. They can be the driver or a passenger.

A person does not have to drive to apply for a Blue Badge. The badge is for an individual and it can be used for any car when that person is a passenger.

Please check the information you receive with your Blue Badge to find out where you can and cannot use it. For example, you cannot use a Blue Badge to park on zigzag lines, in areas where stopping or loading is prohibited or in spaces reserved for others, including residents or taxis.

Eligibility

Before you apply for a Blue Badge, please check if you are eligible​ (opens in new tab).

You must provide proof of your eligibility whether this is your first application or if you are renewing your Blue Badge.

Please do not re-apply any earlier than 4 weeks before the expiry date on your badge.

Apply

You can apply for a Blue Badge online, or alternatively, someone can complete the online form on your behalf.

You will need to provide a photo or scan of your:

• proof of identity (such as a birth certificate, passport, driving licence or bus pass)
• proof of address dated within the last 12 months (such as a council tax bill, benefit letter or utility bill)
• proof of eligibility if applying under the automatic qualification
• proof of your medical condition and how it affects your mobility if applying under the discretionary qualification

You will also need to provide:

• your National Insurance Number (if you have one)
• the details of your current Blue Badge (if you are renewing)
• a recent digital passport style photograph. It can be taken yourself, but it must have been taken within the last 3 months. We are UNABLE to accept photos with any kind of filter or enhancement applied.

Alternatively you can book an appointment at one of our Customer Care Centres.

Lost/Stolen Badges

Has your Blue Badge been lost or stolen? There is a £10 administration fee to replace lost or damaged badges.

Blue Badge fraud or misuse

If you suspect a blue badge is being misused you can report it to us.

Try to get as many details as possible from the badge on display (serial number, expiry date etc) to help us to investigate and take action if the badge is shown to have been misused.

Blue Badges for organisations

An organisation is defined in legislation as meaning “An organisation concerned with the care of disabled persons to which a disabled persons badge may be issued”.

Organisational badges will therefore only be issued to an organisation which:

• Cares for and transports disabled people who would meet one or more of the eligibility criteria for an individual blue badge
• And has a clear need for an Organisational badge rather than using the individual blue badges of people it is transporting

The disabled people under the Organisations care should meet one or more of the following eligibility criteria for a Blue Badge:

• Person receiving the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance
• Person receiving War Pensioners Mobility Supplement
• Person entitled to special grant aided adapted vehicle
• Persons who are registered blind
• Persons who have a permanent and substantial disability and are unable to walk, or have considerable difficulty in walking

Where relatively few people meet the eligibility criteria for a badge in the Organisation, it would be preferable for the disabled person(s) to apply for the badges, rather than have one issued to an organisation. This then allows the holder to use the badge in any vehicle in which they are travelling.

A badge will be issued to an organisation if they have vehicles licensed under Disabled Passenger (DPV) taxation class. It is unlikely that taxi or private hire operators and Community transport operators would be eligible for an Organisational Blue Badge, as they are not usually concerned with the care of disabled people who would meet one or more of the eligibility criteria.

Badges will be issued to the organisation or department and not to named individuals.

In order to process your application we will need the following:

• Copy of Tax exemption regarding DPV, or a letter of confirmation from the DVLA (if applicable)
• Copy of Company logo (will be transferred onto the badge)
• £10.00 administration fee - this is non refundable