Blue Badges

Parking badges for people with disabilities

From 1st January 2012, the Blue Badge system is being reformed nationally. 

This means; 

  • An increase in the cost of the badge to £10 for three years' parking
  • The Council has introduced new mobility assessments to determine whether or not you are eligible for a blue badge. In some cases this will mean that you will be invited to an appointment with an occupational therapist to discuss your mobility
  • You will carry out a self assessment for renewals, to confirm that you are still eligible

You can still ask about applying for a blue badge at one of the Council’s One Stop Shops or by contacting the Central Advice and Duty Team (CADT) on 606 2006

The key change is that badges are no longer issued by the Council, and therefore customers must allow at least 2 weeks, and preferably a month, to apply for or renew their badge.

Blue badges (also known as disabled parking 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 badge holders are able to use the parking spaces set aside for disabled people, and park in paid parking zones for longer periods of time.

Blue badges belong to the disabled person and not the car or the driver, and must not be used by anyone other than the disabled person.

This is a national scheme run by the Council on behalf of the Department for Transport following the rules set out by the government. We may ask for your permission to contact your doctor for more information about your disability, but only the Council can decide whether or not you are eligible for a blue badge.

There are a number of documents available for download on this page, including:


Who can get a Blue Badge?

You are eligible if:

  • You receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance
  • You receive a War Pensioners Mobility Supplement
  • You use a motor vehicle supplied for disabled people by a Government health department
  • You are registered blind
  • You have severe upper arm disabilities in both arms and regularly drive a non-adapted vehicle but cannot operate, or have considerable difficulty in operating all or some types of parking meter.
  • You have a permanent and substantial disability which means you are unable to walk or have very considerable difficulty in walking. In this case we may ask you more questions to help us determine whether you are eligible for a badge. 
  • You have received a lump sum benefit within tariff levels 1-8 of the Armed Forces and Reserved Forces (Compensation) Scheme, and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.

A parent of a child who is less than three years old may also apply for a badge for the child if the child has a specific medical condition which means that they must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment and/or need to be kept near a vehicle at all times.


How can I apply for a blue badge?

To apply for a Blue Badge, you can either:

  • Apply for a Blue Badge online at Direct Gov
  • Use the Blue Badge Application Form to apply for a blue badge. You will need to print off the form and take it with the relevant proofs to any one stop shop.
  • Alternatively you can phone the call centre on 606 2020 or call into one of the Council’s One Stop Shops with the relevant evidence and fee.

When the badge is issued at a One Stop Shop, the person applying for the badge must be present.

Organisations caring for disabled people meeting the above criteria may be able to get a badge, but this is entirely at our discretion. Please use the Blue Badge Application Form to apply for the blue badge.


How can I renew a Blue Badge

If you would like to renew a Blue Badge please complete our Blue Badge renewal form. You will need to print off the form and take it with the relevant proofs to any one stop shop.

What evidence do I need to provide?

You must provide the following evidence to support your application. All evidence must be original, not photocopies, and must be current:

  • Evidence of qualifying benefit is required, for example Disability Living Allowance - Mobility Component.
  • If the Blue Badge applicant receives the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance – Mobility Component, in order to automatically renew the badge the holder must provide proof in the form of the anual award letter from the Disability and Carers Service. Without this we may not be able to issue the badge straight away.
  • Proof of identity and address
  • Two photos