Disabled parking permits - blue badge

The Blue Badge scheme is for eligible disabled people or those with a terminal illness to park near to shops and amenities. The badge holder can be a driver or a passenger.

A new Blue Badge costs £10 and lasts for three years unless your entitlement for one is for less.

If you are applying on the basis of receiving the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance or the moving around component of Personal Independence Payment (8 points and above) and your award is not for an indefinite period, you will be issued with a Blue Badge either up to the last day of the month your award expires or at the end of three years whichever is the soonest.

You can use your Blue Badge throughout the country but make sure you check the restrictions in different cities as concessions may vary. The badge can also be used across Europe but again, make sure you check the restrictions in place in the country you are visiting.

Applying under the Hidden Disabilities Criteria

From 30 August 2019, the government will be introducing new criteria for Blue Badge applications in England. The scheme will take into account individuals with 'non-visible' (hidden) conditions.

Due to the nature of non-visible (hidden) conditions, applications will be assessed by looking at an applicant's needs. Having a certain condition or disability will not automatically entitle you to a Blue Badge.

You will be automatically eligible under the new criteria if, in your PIP mobility assessment, you scored 10 points in “Planning and following a journey”. Specifically, the 10 points (Descriptor E), which says: “Cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant.” If you did not score this, you can still apply and your application will be assessed.

You should consider applying for a Blue Badge if you have a non-visible (hidden) condition which causes you to severely struggle with journeys between a vehicle and your destination. In accordance to the Department for Transport guidelines, an individual may be issued with a badge if they have been certified by an expert assessor as having an enduring and substantial disability which causes them, during the course of a journey, to either:

• Be unable to walk;
• Experience very considerable difficulty whilst walking, which may include very considerable psychological distress; or
• Be at risk of serious harm when walking; or pose, when walking, a risk of serious harm to any other person.

To apply under this criterion you will need to evidence the difficulties you have over the course of a journey. As part of the application process, we will require written confirmation or a letter from a Specialist who can provide evidence for the challenges you face when completing a journey. You can also provide any relevant supporting evidence, such as: diagnosis letters, care plans, patient summaries, education health and care (EHC) plans or disability benefits. This will help us to assess your eligibility for a Blue Badge.

In line with Department for Transport guidelines, we will not accept a letter solely from a GP as evidence.

Please note, any costs incurred will not be reimbursed or paid for by Derby City Council.

Applying for a Blue Badge

You need to apply online for a Blue Badge and can also check if you will be eligible.

If you are unable to access a photo booth, we can accept a good quality digital photograph.

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.

If you are a blue badge holder and regularly have difficulty in parking close to your home, you may be entitled to an advisory disabled persons’ parking bay. Please fill in the Disabled Persons' Parking Bay Application.

Apply for a new Blue Badge

What if my Blue Badge is lost or stolen?

You need to complete a replacement Blue Badge application form. Your replacement will be issued with the same expiry date as your lost or stolen Blue Badge and will cost £10. 

Apply for a replacement Blue Badge

What if I don’t need the Blue Badge anymore?

Please send your Blue Badge back to us if you don’t need it anymore.

I’ve completed a Blue Badge application form, how do I know if it’s been successful?

If you meet the eligibility criteria and you have provided the evidence we’ve asked for, we will write or email you to let you know and tell you how to make a payment.

If your application form doesn’t meet the eligibility criteria we will write or email you to let you know. If you aren’t happy with this decision you can request a review. This will be looked at by an occupational therapist who will carry out a mobility assessment. We will then write or email to let you know the decision.

If you are still not happy, you can appeal. You would need to get a letter from a consultant, not your GP that clearly states why you should be entitled to a Blue Badge.

How long will it take for my Blue Badge to arrive?

It will take approximately six weeks to process your application. 

How do I use the Blue Badge properly?

Upon receipt of your Blue Badge, you will also find enclosed 'The Blue Badge scheme: rights and responsibilities in England' leaflet. This provides details on how to use the Blue Badge properly. If you require this leaflet in any other way, style or language that will help you access it please contact us on 01332 642982 or minicom 01332 640666.

Blue Badge enforcement

We have a team of Civil Enforcement Officers who make sure Blue Badges are being used correctly. We need to make sure the disabled parking spaces throughout the city are being used by those in genuine need and we may prosecute anyone we discover is abusing the scheme.