Disabled parking badge scheme

The Blue Badge scheme helps people with mobility problems to travel independently as a car driver or passenger by allowing them to park close to their destination.

Where you can park
Badge holders can park free in most pay and display car parks and can park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours on most roads (and where it doesn't cause an obstruction or endanger others).

Always check the signs in car parks to make sure you understand your rights as a blue badge holder. You can also refer to the booklet 'Your rights and responsibilities' which we send to you with your blue badge.

More information from the Department for Transport in their leaflet 'Can I get a blue badge?'.

There are two types of blue badges: automatic and discretionary.

Automatic blue badges
You can get an automatic blue badge if:

You receive the Higher Rate Mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
You receive a War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement
You are registered blind

You may also be eligible for an automatic blue badge if:

You are unable to walk
You have a disability in both arms and regularly drive a car but cannot turn the steering wheel by hand – even if that wheel is fitted with a steering knob
You have a physical disability which means you can't walk very far without experiencing severe discomfort
The physical effort needed to walk could damage your health
You drive a car regularly, have a disability in both arms and can't (or would find it difficult to) operate all or some types of parking meters

We may need to ask you more questions about your disability and also have confirmation from a medical practitioner or occupational therapist.

Discretionary blue badges
We can issue discretionary blue badges to:

People who have a terminal illness (confirmed by a professional, e.g. Macmillan nurse)
Children under two years old who have a medical condition which requires essential equipment to be transported with them at all times (confirmed by a professional)
People referred by social care staff who can confirm eligibility for a blue badge

Again, we may need to ask you more questions about your disability and also have confirmation from a medical practitioner.

Cost
Blue badges themselves are free but there is a £2 administration charge.

Applications
Before you fill in your application form, please make sure you read all of the important notes and directions to help you. Contact us if you'd like a copy of the brochure 'Can I get a blue badge?' or drop in to Contact Warrington and we'll help you fill it in.

Automatic blue badges:

• Application pack for automatic blue badges

You must complete part A, part B, part D and part F. Return it to Contact Warrington with a postal order or cheque for £2 (or cash if you are returning it in person – don't put cash in the post!). Make sure you include one passport-sized photograph (signed on the back) and proof that you qualify for an automatic blue badge (see page 2 of the application pack).

Applications for automatic badges can be processed and ready for posting or collection in 48 hours.

Discretionary blue badges:

• Application pack for discretionary blue badges

You must complete part A, part C, part E and part F. Return it to Contact Warrington with one passport-sized photograph (signed on the back). Please don’t send any money – we will write to you and request the £2 when your application has been approved.

You must also fill in your name, address, date of birth and disability on the OB3 form. This must then be detached and given to your medical practitioner to complete.

Applications for discretionary badges may be delayed between two and eight weeks depending on how quickly we receive a response from your medical practitioner about your OB3 form. Sometimes your application may move quicker if you make an appointment with your doctor to discuss the form.

Please note: We may check your eligibility for a blue badge via other council or partner systems in order to prevent fraudulent claims for badges or disability benefits. Misuse of a blue badge is a serious offence and can result in a fine of up to £1,000.

Appeals
If you have been refused a blue badge, you can ask us to reconsider in writing within 28 days of the decision. You can include any further information which may support a successful application. We may ask you to attend a mobility assessment with an occupational therapist.

Renewals
Badges are usually valid for three years. Sometimes badges are issued for shorter periods of time, usually when entitlement to the Higher Rate Mobility component of Disability Living Allowance ends in less than three years.

To renew an automatic blue badge, you should fill in the full application form at least four weeks before your existing badge expires. For discretionary badges, fill in the full application form at least eight weeks before your existing badge expires.

If your badge has faded significantly, we will replace it free of charge and can usually re-use the photograph already on it. You don’t need to fill in an application form.

Lost or stolen badges
If you lose your badge you must fill in another application form, pay the £2 admin charge and provide one more photograph. We may also ask for further proof.

If your badge is stolen, report it immediately to the council on 01925 443322 and to the police on 01925 652222. When you’ve been given a crime number, send us one replacement photograph and we’ll provide a new badge free of charge. If you don’t have a crime number, we will process it as a lost badge.

Parking in Europe
All European Community countries use a standardised blue badge. This makes it easier for badge holders in the UK to use the disabled parking schemes in other European countries. More information from the Department for Transport.

More information:

Last updated 27/01/2010 12:47:10

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