Disabled Persons Parking Permit - Applications

This page gives information on how to apply for your Blue Badge. For advice on using your Blue Badge, please see the Disabled Persons Parking Permit - Using page.

The scheme

The disabled persons parking permit (Blue Badge) provides national parking concessions for disabled and visually impaired people making it easier for people with severe walking difficulties to park close to shops, restaurants and other places to visit.

Blue Car Badges are issued to people who meet the Department for Transport's criteria. There are 2 types of eligibility criteria. An individual's eligibility for a Blue Badge is considered in terms of being 'eligible without further assessment' (previously known as 'automatic') or 'eligible subject to a further assessment' (previously known as 'discretionary').

People who may be issued with a badge without further assessment are those fall within one or more of the following descriptions:

• Are in receipt of the Higher Rate of the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance for help with getting around.
• Are registered blind under Section 29 of the National Assistance Act
• Are in receipt of War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement.

However, you may be eligible to apply for a blue car badge subject to a further assessment criterion if you feel that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Drive a vehicle regularly, and 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.
• Have a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.
• In addition, children under the age of 3 may be eligible for a badge if they fall within either or both of the following descriptions:
• A child who, on account of a condition, must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment, which cannot be carried around with the child without great difficulty.
• A child who, on account of a condition, must always be kept near a motor vehicle so that, if necessary, can be treated for that condition in the vehicle or taken to a place where they can be treated.

How to apply for your Blue Badge

Online

From 1st January 2012 applications can  be  made by completing an on-line application form by accessing the Directgov website.

In Person

You may also apply in person by contacting the Blue Badge Team at one of the Customer Service Centres whose addresses are shown on the left of this page.

However you choose to apply for your Blue Badge, you will need to provide the following in order for us to process your application:

• Proof of identity which will in the form of a certified photocopy of your birth/adoption certificate,marriage/divorce certificate,valid driving licence or passport (a photocopy of one form of identity is required to be submitted with your application)
• Proof of address which needs to be dated within the last 3 months, ie: Utility bill, Rent Book/Tenancy Agreement, Council Tax Bill, TV Licence, Pay Slip, Prescription Slip, Benefit Correspondence, Visa Bill etc
• One passport sized photograph
• £8.50 administration fee (cash or cheque only. Please make all cheques payable to RMBC)

From 1st January - Blue Car Badges will be processed onsite but the badge will be ordered via a new computerised system and posted out to your home address via 2nd class post.

Please note - for discretionary applications (please see information under 'The Scheme' above) you can print and complete the application form and return it either in person or by post with the relevant documentation explained above.

Alternatively, you can also request an application to be sent by post. If you wish to do this, please contact us on the contact number on the left, or complete our online enquiry form.

For more useful information about the eligibility criteria you can visit the Department for Transport website.

What to do when your blue badge expires

The above process for applying for a blue badge is the same as applying for a renewal, you will therefore need to supply the above supporting evidence. Please note you can only apply for a renewal badge when the current one is due to expire within a month or less.

Last update: 01/05/2012