The Blue Badge Network
The Blue Badge


HOW DO I GET A BLUE PARKING PERMIT?
Taken from the DETR leaflet The Blue Badge Scheme Ref:T/INF/222 with additional info by the BBN.

Firstly lets distinguish the Blue Badge Network from the Parking Permit. The actual permit itself is issued through your local Social Services and the Blue Badge Network is a voluntary support group for disabled people. The Network cannot issue Permits, we can help with the completions of forms etc, but we do not issue them. Now that's cleared up, how do you get a permit?



WHO CAN APPLY FOR DISABLED BADGES?
There are some people who automatically qualify for a badge. These applicants must fall into one of the following categories:

  • Registered blind
  • Receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance
  • Receive a war pensioner's mobility supplement
  • Have a vehicle supplied by a Government Health Department
  • Hold a valid driving licence and have severe disability in both upper limbs and be unable to turn by hand the steering wheel of a vehicle - even if that wheel is fitted with a turning knob.

People who do not fit into one of these categories, but who are either unable to walk or who can walk only with very considerable difficulty may be able to apply for a badge under the discretionary category. This will involve an assessment by a social work team member and may require a medical assessment. (Note: Children under two years of age do not qualify for a permit as they would not normally be expected to walk.)

Organisations can apply for a permit, but it is at the local authorities' discretion.



WHO CAN USE THE BADGES?
The badge is issued in the name of a specific named user who must be over the age of 2 years, who are unable to walk, or who have considerable difficulty in walking and who would otherwise be unable to visit shops, restaurants and other facilities (see WHO CAN APPLY above). A parent or helper etc. may then use the permit in their vehicle when they are assisting the named person.



TO APPLY FOR A DISABLED BADGE
If you think that you would qualify for a Disabled Person's Parking Permit, then you should ring your local Council's Social Services office (Scotland is the Social Work department) The staff there will be able to advise you and can send you the application form and, if necessary, arrange an appointment for an assessment.

You will be asked to supply two passport sized photographs and, if your application is approved, there is a small administrative charge. Currently this is £2.00. Your badge should normally reach you within three weeks of approval and will be valid for 3 years.
If you do not know where your local Social Services office is, have a look on http://www.ukonline.gov.uk this is the Governments own site for people looking for offices/information.



WHERE IS THE BADGE VALID?
Badge holders may usually park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours in England & Wales, (followed by a minimum 1 hour gap) and without time limit in Scotland.

  • Free of charge and without time limit at on-street parking meters and pay and display parking (NOTE: ON STREET).

Unless posted signs state to the contrary. In addition, Local Authorities usually offer free parking in car parks to badge holders. The notices in car parks will tell you if this is available and about any time restrictions. Supermarkets, places of entertainment and other buildings often have specially designated parking spaces for the disabled, which are wider than normal parking bays.



WHERE CAN'T I PARK?

  • The scheme does NOT apply on private roads/off street parking or any private car parks. There may be provision for disabled people, but they are at the discretion of the owners, and will be signposted, please read signs carefully.
  • In certain town centers, where access is prohibited or special permits are needed the Badge may NOT apply.
  • The scheme does NOT apply in Central London, but some facilities are provided. (See Parking in the members section for more details or call the Traffic Director for London on 020-7222-4545).
  • The scheme does NOT apply on the road system of most airports
  • When a ban on loading or unloading is in force (indicated by one, two or three yellow marks on the kerb) and a plate detailing the times
  • Where there are double yellow lines in the middle of the road, even if one of them is broken
  • In a bus lane during its times of operation. This includes coach stops
  • On a clearway (look for the signs) · On Zebra, Pelican or Toucan crossings, or the zig zag lines either side of these crossings
  • In parking places for specific users, e.g. loading bays, taxi ranks, motorcycle bays, or local permit holders' bays
  • Where it would cause a danger to others, e.g. School entrances or bus stops
  • Where it would make it difficult for others to see clearly
  • Where emergency vehicles will need to stop, e.g. Hospital entrances
  • On the pavement or where the kerb has been lowered or the road raised to form a pedestrian crossing/driveway.

Use your common sense, if you park up and get in the way of other road users, or block peoples vision (on a corner for example) then you can be fined/clamped, prosecuted and have your badge withdrawn.

Although vehicles displaying the badge cannot legally be wheel clamped on the road, you CAN be clamped/towed away on private property (i.e. off road parking etc.)

The vehicle MUST be moved if a police officer or a traffic warden in uniform requests it.

Remember it is not a licence to park anywhere.



HOW DO I USE THE BADGE?
This issue causes more problems for our local Representatives than any other. A wrongfully displayed Parking Permit WILL result in a fixed penalty parking ticket. It is YOUR responsibility to see that the Permit and clock are correctly displayed.

The Permit AND clock MUST be displayed in the bottom nearside (passengers side) of the windscreen, and must NOT be partially covered by anything (i.e. tax disc, stickers etc.). If you display the permit ANYWHERE else (on the drivers side, hanging off the mirror, on the sun visor) you could be issued with a ticket.

The clock (required in England & Wales) must be set at the time you parked the vehicle, NOT when you expect to return. (Only required where a time limit applies).

It is your responsibility to ensure the details on the badge legible. If they become unreadable the badge must be returned to the local authority to be reissued. DO NOT re-write them, or write over the top, it will invalidate the Permit.

The badge should only be displayed when using the parking benefits under the scheme. At all other times the Badge and Clock should be REMOVED FROM THE WINDSCREEN. (i.e. do not leave it permanently displayed in your car, put it away when driving).



RESPONSIBILITY OF A BADGE HOLDER
Every badge holder has a responsibility to all the other badge holders to use the badge responsibly and within the law. We need to retain the respect of other road users, and the local councils.

Remember it is a Permit to allow you to visit the shops and other places, to help you lead a normal life. this permit can be revoked if misused.

Never allow other people to use your badge. Even if you are in the vehicle, if you are not getting out of the vehicle then it should be parked normally, the driver cannot 'nip to the shop' and leave you sitting in the car, the badge is YOURS and no-one else's

Make sure that the details on the front of the badge remain legible, and up to date. (Return to local authority if not).

Remember to advise DVLC of your disability, and any changes.



MISUSE:

  • Your badge can be withdrawn if you misuse it, or allow others to misuse it.
  • It is a CRIMINAL OFFENCE for non-disabled people to use a badge. If they do so, they are liable to a fine of up to £1000
  • It is a CRIMINAL OFFENCE to drive a vehicle displaying an orange or blue parking permit unless the badge holder is in the vehicle, or the vehicle is being driven bty someone other than the badge holder for the purpose of entering or leaving an area (which is accessible only to vehicles displaying a Blue Badge) in order to pick up or drop off the holder

ALWAYS remember, look out for the signs telling you what entitlement you have, do not assume you have a right to park.

Extracts taken from the DETR leaflet The Blue Badge scheme Ref: T/INF/222, copies available from:
DETR Free Literature
PO Box 236
Wetherby
LS23 7NB
Tel: 0870 1226 236
E-mail detr@twoten.press.net

European privileges may be different depending on the destination. Further details can be obtained from:
DETR Disability Policy Branch,
Mobility Unit Zone 1/11,
Great Minster House
76 Marcham Street
London
SW1P 4DR

For details specific to Wales contact:
National Assembly for Wales
Transport Policy Division
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ
Tel: 02920 826501

For details specific to Scotland contact:
Scottish Executive Development Dept.
Transport & Local Roads Division
Area 2E,
Victoria Quay
Leith
Edinburgh,
EH6 6QQ
Tel: 0131 244 0860/0869
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