BLUE BADGE 12-Week Alert As Disabled Drivers Risk Loising Parking Privileges – ryan
The Blue Badge Scheme Allows Disabled People to Park Closer to their Destinations, Including in Disabled Bays and, in Some Cases, On Double Yellow Lines
11:19, 03 APR 2025Updated 11:55, 03 APR 2025
Millions of Disabled Individuals are able to Access Crucial Parking Concessions thanks to the Blue Badge Scheme. This allows say to park closer to their destinations, including in spaces reserved for disabled People and Sometimes on Double Yellow Lines.
As of March 31, 2023, there were 2.57 million Blue Badges in Circulation Across England. This is a rise of 5.7% from the previous year, meaning that 4.6% of the population now one of the parking permits.
Howver, Some May Not Be Aware That These Blue Badges have an Expirly Date. They’re Only Valid for Three Years, after which they need to be renewed and they don’t automatically extend.
BADGE HOLDERS MUST REAPPLY TO KEEP Enjoying the Benefits Offered by the Scheme. If you continue to use an expired permit, you coulud face a hefty fine of £ 1,000 for “Misususing” the Badge.
Between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023, A Total of 1.14 Million Badges Were Issued, An Increase of 101,000 Badges (A 9.7% Rise) from the Previous Year, Reports The Express. This includes Both renewals and first-time Applications.
Howver, This Means that Getting a Blue Badge, Whether As a New Applicant or for Renewal, Could Involve A Significant Wait. The Government has cautioned that an application can take to 12 Weeks to process. This Applies to All Applicants, Whether they’re New or Existting Badge Holders.
If you’re in England, Wales, or Scotland and Need a New Blue Badge or have to renew one, you can apply online. But if you’re in Northern Ireland, it is done differently.
The Official Gov.uk Site Explains: “A Blue Badge Costs Up to £ 10 in England and £ 20 in Scotland. It”s Free in Wales. They Usually Last Up to 3 Years. You must reapply for a blue badge your current.”
If you’ve haad a blue badge before however it doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get another. Local Councils Run the Schemes, Many of which Offer Guidelines on Eligibility and Application Procedures.
Gateshead Council is one of the Local Authorities which Admins the Badges. It Says: “To renew your Blue Badge you need to go to this process as you would be applying for the first time.
“You are not automatically entitled to a new badge you have had one in the past. Every Application Must be Accompanked by the Supporting Evidance stored, Whether A Application or Renewal. This is a Requirement set out by the department for transport.” “”
People Who Automatically Get A Blue Badge
You automatically QUALIFY FOR A BLUE BADGE IF YOU AGED 3 OR OVER AND AT LEAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING APPLIES:
- You recipe the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- you receive a Personal Independence Payment (Pip) Because you can’t waln more than 50 meters (a score of 8 points or more under the ‘Moving Around’ Activity of the Mobility Component)
- You are Registered Blind (Sevely Sight Impired)
- You recipe a pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
- You have reciped a lump sum benefit with fee fee 1 to 8 of the armed forces and reserve forces (Compensation) scheme and have been certified as permanent and substantive disability that causes inability or very considerable dipficulty in walking
- You receive the mobility component of pip and have obtained 10 points specifically for descriptor of the ‘planning and following journeys’ Activity, on the Grounds that are unable to understand any journey ITE
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 will not automatically qualify. This includes if you have a higher score of 12. You will have to provide the evidence to demonstrate your eligibility will will be assessed as part of your Application.
People Who May Get a Blue Badge
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 Tales
- Walking is Dangerous to Your Health and Safety
- You have a life-limitting illness, which means you cannot walk or find walking very difficult and have a sr1 form
- You have a severe disability in bot Arms and Drive Regularly, but Cannot Pay-And-Display Parking Machines
- You have a child under the age of 3 with a medical condition that means the child always need to be accompanked 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 Your Selself or Others Near Vehicles, in Traffic or Car Parks
- You struggle sewely to plan or follow a Journey
- You find it difficult or impossible to control your action and lack awareness of the impact you could have on others
- You regularly have intense and overwhelming respects to situations causus temporary loss of Behaviural Control
- You Frequently Become Extremely Anxious or Fearful of Public/Open Spaces
Your Local Council Will Decide If You Are Eligible for A Badge. They cannot start the assessment process unly they have all the necessary evidence. It May 12 Weeks or Longer to Assses Your Application. If they decide that you are not Eligible and you think that they did not take the Account of All the Facts, you can ask to consider your application.
Where can you use a Blue Badge?
Age uk Notes that Blue Badge Holders can bypass some parking restrictions, Allowing say to Park:
- Free of Charge at-Street Parking Meters and in Pay and Display Bays
- On Single or Double Yellow Lines for Up to 3 Hours, Except Where there a ban on Loading or unloading.
Some Local Councils Put Additional Restrictions on Blue Badge Holders. You show to check with the local council in the area you’re parking in to find out what they their rules are. The scheme doesn’t apply in Certain Boroughs in London, which offer their Own Parking Concessions.
How to Apply or Renew Online
You can Apply on the Government Website. There’s a Different Way to Apply If You’re in Northern Ireland.
You will Need A Recent Digital Photo Showing Your Head and Shoulders. You will Also Need a Photo or Scan of Your:
- Proof of Identity (Such as a Birth Certificate, Passport or Driving License)
- Prof of Address (Such as A Council Tax Bill or Government Letter)
- Prof of Benefits (if you get any)
- Your National Insurance Number (if you have one)
- The Details of Your Current Blue Badge (if you’re reapplying)
Some Councils Allow You to APPLY or renew Your Blue Badge on a Paper Form – Contact Your Local Council to Check.