Blue Badge scheme
Who qualifies for a Blue Badge
Blue Badges help people with disabilities or health conditions park closer to their destination. You can apply for a badge for yourself, on behalf of somebody else or an organisation that transports people that need a Blue Badge.
People who automatically get a Blue Badge
This is known as ‘eligible without further assessment’. You automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if you are aged 3 or over and at least one of the following applies:
- you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- you receive a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) because you can’t walk more than 50 metres (a score of 8 points or more under the ‘moving around’ activity of the mobility component)
- you are registered blind (severely sight impaired)
- you receive a War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
- you have received a lump sum benefit within tariff levels 1 to 8 of the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation) Scheme and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking
- you receive the mobility component of PIP and have obtained 10 points specifically for descriptor E under the ‘planning and following journeys’ activity, on the grounds that you are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress.
If you have any score other than 10 points under descriptor E, in the ‘planning and following journeys’ activity of PIP you may still be eligible for a Blue Badge, but you do not automatically qualify. This includes if you have a higher score of 12. You will have to provide evidence to demonstrate your eligibility which will be assessed as part of your application.
People who may get a Blue Badge
This is known as ‘eligible subject to further assessment’. You may be eligible for a badge if one or more of the following applies:
- you cannot walk at all
- you cannot walk without help from someone else or using mobility aids
- you find walking very difficult due to pain, breathlessness or the time it takes
- walking is dangerous to your health and safety
- you have a life limiting illness, which means you cannot walk or find walking very difficult and have a SR1 form
- you have a severe disability in both arms and drive regularly, but cannot operate pay-and-display parking machines
- you have a child under the age of 3 with a medical condition that means the child always needs to be accompanied by bulky medical equipment
- you have a child under the age of 3 with a medical condition that means the child must always be kept near a vehicle in case they need emergency medical treatment
- you are constantly a significant risk to yourself or others near vehicles, in traffic or car parks
- you struggle severely to plan or follow a journey
- you find it difficult or impossible to control your actions and lack awareness of the impact you could have on others
- you regularly have intense and overwhelming responses to situations causing temporary loss of behavioural control
- you frequently become extremely anxious or fearful of public/open spaces.
We are unable to start the assessment process until you have provided clinical evidence of the challenges you face when completing a journey. The examples below, may help you to understand the sorts of documents we would expect:
- diagnosis letters
- care plans
- patient summaries
- education health and care (EHC) plans
- written confirmation from a specialist confirming the difficulties you face when completing a journey.
A GP’s letter cannot be used as your only piece of evidence.
More detailed information on eligibility and the specific proofs that are required is available from the Department for Transport.
Alternatively, you can email the Blue Badge team about your application at bluebadge@derby.gov.uk.
Apply for or renew a Blue Badge
A Blue Badge costs £10. The badge holder can be either a driver or a passenger.
You won’t pay for your Blue Badge during the application process. If successful, you will be contacted to make a payment.
When applying for a Blue Badge, you will need to provide a copy of:
- a passport-style photo of yourself.
- proof of identity (such as your driving licence)
- proof of address (such as a Council Tax bill)
- supporting documents
You should renew your Blue Badge three months before the expiry date.
If you are unable to complete the application online and do not have a nominated person who can complete it on your behalf, you can download the relevant application form and return it to us at the address given on the form:
- Blue Badge application form
- Blue Badge application form for applicants who are terminally ill or critically ill
You can also request a paper application by calling Customer Services on 01332 640000.
What happens after you have applied
We receive a high volume of applications, and it can take up to 12 weeks to complete your assessment. We will contact you by email or letter, once a decision has been made.
If your Blue Badge application is approved, we will send out payment information by post or email. You will receive your badge within 15 working days of paying the fee.
If your application is refused
If you disagree with our decision, you can write or email to request an appeal. Please ensure that additional supporting evidence and a statement is provided.
You need to do this within 6 weeks of us telling you the decision.
You can also reapply if your mobility problems become more serious.
Lost or stolen Blue Badges
You can report a lost or stolen Blue Badge for yourself or someone else.
To replace the Blue Badge, you’ll need:
- your personal details
- your National Insurance number, if you have one
- the existing badge number, if you know it.
If the badge has been stolen, you will also need a crime reference number.
The cost to replace a Blue Badge is £10. The replacement will be issued with the same expiry date as your lost or stolen badge.
If you are unable to report your lost or stolen Blue Badge online and do not have a nominated person who can complete it on your behalf, you can download a paper copy and return it to us at the address given on the form:
You can request a paper application by calling Customer Services on 01332 640000.
What to do if you no longer need a Blue Badge
If you no longer need your Blue Badge or it has expired, you can send it back to us at the following address:
Blue Badge team
Derby City Council
Council House
Corporation Street
Derby
DE1 2FS
You can also hand the badge in at our reception.