Disabled people - parking permits - blue badge

The Blue Badge Scheme

The aim of the scheme is to help disabled people with severe mobility problems to access goods and services, by allowing them to park close to their destination. The scheme is open to eligible disabled people irrespective of whether they are travelling as a driver or as a passenger.

There is a charge of £10.00 for the issuing of a Blue Badge. The charge will cover new applications, renewals and lost and stolen badges (on receipt of a crime number a replacement for a stolen badge will be £5.00). The 'life' of a badge will normally be three years and will need renewing after this period.

The scheme provides a national range of on-street parking concessions although these concessions may differ slightly throughout the country. It is therefore important that the driver, when parking, always checks the parking restriction in place and whether the blue disabled badge allows them to enjoy an exemption from the restriction.

The Blue Badge scheme is recognised across the European Union Governments but travellers to these countries should check what local arrangements are in place as they may vary in detail.

Further guidance is available in the The Blue Badge scheme: rights and responsibilities in England document.

If you live in Derbyshire but not in the city of Derby please visit the Derbyshire County Council website for details of their Blue Badge scheme.

You can check Blue Badge eligibility online.

You can also apply online. Please note: Directgov's online Blue Badge online application form needs slightly different information and documents to our application forms.

Who can get a Blue Badge?

You can get a Blue Badge if you:

• are in receipt of the Higher Rate of the Mobility Component of the Disability Allowance.
• are registered blind (severely sight impaired).
• are receiving a War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement.
• have been awarded a lump sum benefit at tariffs 1-8 of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and certified as having a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.

You may also be entitled to a Blue Badge, following an assessment, if you:

• drive a vehicle regularly, have a severe disability in both arms and 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.

Also, children under three years old 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 to a motor vehicle so that, if necessary, treatment for that condition can be given in the vehicle or the child can be taken quickly in the vehicle to a place where such treatment can be given.

How to apply for a Blue Badge

Blue Badges can be applied for on an individual basis for disabled people who meet the above criteria, but this is entirely at our discretion.

Unless there are specific reasons, we are no longer issuing Blue Badges to organisations. Our advice is; the disabled people being transported should use their own individual Blue Badge in the vehicle. Although the issuing of a Blue Badge is at our discretion, organisations may specify why they should be considered for a Blue Badge, by writing to: 

Application for a new Blue Badge

You can apply for a Blue Badge Application Form either for yourself, or on behalf of a child by:

• applying online at Directgov - Please note: Directgov's online Blue Badge online application form needs slightly different information and documents to our application forms.
• downloading a Blue Badge application form
• downloading a Blue Badge application form for applicants who are terminally ill or critically ill

You can also request an application form online or by contacting us.

Renewing an existing Blue Badge

If you already have a Blue Badge you will automatically receive renewal notification and a Blue Badge application form. Please complete and return or apply online.

If you have changed your address since your current Blue Badge was issued please contact us by:

• email bluebadge@derby.gov.uk
• telephone 01332 293111
• write to:
  
  The Blue Badge Administration Team
  Derby City Council
  The Council House
  Corporation Street
  Derby
  DE1 2FS 

Please note - the rules about eligibility for a Blue Badge have changed considerably. Even if you have been issued with a Blue Badge in the past, this does not mean that you will be able to get one again.

What if my Blue Badge is lost or stolen?

If your Blue Badge has been lost or stolen, please complete our Blue badge replacement application form for lost, stolen or damaged cardsIf you cannot download an application form, contact us and we will send you one. 

A replacement Blue Badge will be considered once we have made enquiries and validated details of your previous Blue Badge. Your replacement Blue Badge will be issued with the same expiry date as your lost or stolen Blue Badge.

We do not accept responsibility for any expenses you may incur as a result of you not having your Blue Badge for a period of time.

The decision to issue or refuse a replacement Blue Badge rests solely with Derby City Council. If you provide a crime number, for a stolen Blue Badge the charge for a replacement will be £5.00.

What if the Blue Badge is no longer required?

Please complete and return the Blue badge no longer required application form for a person who was issued a Blue Badge who:

• is now deceased or for the person it was issued
• no longer requires it due to a change in their condition.

What if I live in Derbyshire but not in Derby?

If you live in Derbyshire but not in Derby City please visit the Derbyshire County Council website for details of their Blue Badge scheme.

After submitting an application for a new Blue Badge or for a Renewal, how will I be notified if I have been successful?

Customers who meet the eligibility criteria

If your application meets the eligibility criteria and you have provided the evidence as stated on the application form, you will be notified in writing or by email that your application has been successful and how to make a payment.

If you need to check the progress of your application you can complete the Blue Badge - application progress form.

Customers who do not meet the eligibility criteria

If your application form does not meet the eligibility criteria you may receive a phone call from us for more information. This will help us to determine whether or not you will be awarded a Blue Badge. At this time you will not be notified of the decision. You will receive notification in writing or by email, whether your application has been successful or not.

If you are unsuccessful, you may request a review. This requires you to undertake a mobility assessment with an Occupational Therapist, who is independent of your existing care and treatment. At this time you will not be notified of the decision. You will receive notification in writing or by email, whether your application has been successful or not.

If you are unsuccessful, you may appeal. This  requires you to get a letter from your Consultant, at your cost (not your GP) that clearly states the reason(s) why you should be entitled to a Blue Badge. This letter will be reviewed by an Occupational Therapist, who did not undertake your mobility assessment. You will receive notification in writing or by email, whether your appeal has been successful or not.

How can I make a payment once I have been notified that my application has been successful?

Once you have received written notification that your application has been successful you can make the payment...

1. By posting a cheque made payable to 'Derby City Council' to:

The Blue Badge Administration Team
Derby City Council
The Council House
Corporation Street
Derby
DE1 2FS 

On the Reverse of the Cheque please write 'Blue Badge', the applicants 'Initial and Surname' and the 'BBIS Reference Number' that will be stated in your notification letter. Please include the tear-off payment slip from your notification letter.

2. In person at our Customer Service Centre at The Council House, Corporation Street.

Payment over the counter for a Blue Badge will not be accepted at any other Council premises except at The Council House.

You can pay by:

• cash
• cheque – please write 'Blue Badge', the applicants 'Initial and Surname' and the 'BBIS Reference Number' that will be stated in your notification letter.
• debit card.

3. Online using our secure online payments portal.

Payment can be made by all major debit and credit cards. Please note that a 1.8% surcharge will be applied to credit card payments. No charge will apply to debit card payments.

4. Over the phone using your debit or credit card by calling 01332 642982.

Data Protection - Blue Badge Assessment

On application for a Blue Badge you will be advised:

We will treat all information provided in confidence and in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. It will be shared with the Blue Badge Improvement Service for the purpose of managing and administering your Blue Badge and application. It may be also shared with other departments in the Council, other Local Authorities and Parking Enforcement Officers for the purposes of preventing fraud, misuse of public funds and any legal or statutory requirements. It may also be shared with other public bodies such as the Audit Commission for a similar purpose.

The medical information that you supply to support your application is defined as 'sensitive personal data' and you will be asked to consent to its disclosure to our assessors and the Blue Badge Team who are responsible for the operation and administration of the Blue Badge scheme and other Government Departments or agencies, to validate proof of entitlement.

You will be asked to agree that Derby City Council access our records to assess your eligibility for a Blue Badge and agree we can contact an accredited healthcare professional if necessary, for the purpose of obtaining further information in support of your application.

You will be advised that you may be contacted to assess your application and that you may be required to undertake a mobility assessment with an Occupational Therapist who is independent of your existing care and treatment, in order to determine your eligibility for a Blue Badge.

Blue Badge Enforcement

A dedicated team of Civil Enforcement Officers patrol the City of Derby observing vehicles and enforcing against motorists who abuse or misuse the Blue Badge Scheme. Derby City Council will take action regarding Blue Badge abuse and misuse throughout the City and its wards.

Why do we enforce?

There are over two million disabled people's parking badges - otherwise known as Blue Badges - in the UK. Abuse of the scheme by those who are not entitled to its concessions can undermine the schemes credibility. This can impact on the mobility of disabled people, who have a genuine requirement and are unable to make use of parking spaces, which are being used illegally.

Derby City Council gathers evidence against drivers who misuse a genuine badge and will prosecute individuals who misuse and use a fake Blue Badge.

Abuse and Misuse of the Blue Badge Scheme

There are two offences in relation to the Blue Badge scheme:

Misuse

The legislation that covers Blue Badge misuse is the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 section 117. This covers anyone who misuses a valid Blue Badge. An example might be a person who misuses their relatives badge, by parking a vehicle without the badge-holder being present.

Abuse

The legislastion that covers Blue Badge abuse is the Fraud Act 2006 section 1. This relates to anyone who uses a Blue Badge which is not genuine or where the badge has been altered.

Blue Badge abuse and misuse can result in heavy fines and imprisonment.

I want to report Blue Badge misuse or abuse

Derby City Council takes its enforcement against Blue Badge abuse and misuse very seriously.

Please contact us if you would like to give us some information about abuse or misuse of the Blue Badge Scheme:

Online report form

Email: bluebadgeabuse@derby.gov.uk

Telephone: 01332 642982

Write to: The Manager, Blue Badge Administration Team, The Council House, Corporation Street, Derby, DE1 2FS.

Useful forms

• Blue Badge - paper application form request
• Blue Badge - check the progress of your application
• Report the misuse of a disabled parking badge

Downloads

• Blue Badge application form (pdf, 251kb)
• Blue Badge application form for applicants who are terminally ill or critically ill (pdf, 244kb)
• Blue badge no longer required application form (pdf, 159kb)
• Blue badge replacement application form for lost, stolen or damaged cards (pdf, 326kb)
• The Blue Badge scheme: rights and responsibilities in England (pdf, 1,327kb)