What is a Blue Badge?
Blue parking badges allow cars carrying people who are registered blind or people who have severe walking difficulties to be parked near shops, stations and other facilities. It replaced the Orange Badge Scheme. Blue Badges are issued as existing badges come up for renewal, or as new applications are processed. The Blue Badge is recognised throughout member states of the European Union.
Am I eligible for a Blue Badge?
You are eligible if you:
- Are registered blind
- Receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance
- Use a motor vehicle supplied for disabled people by a Government Health Department
- Receive a Government grant towards your own vehicle
- Receive a War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
- Have a permanent and substantial disability that makes walking impossible or very difficult
- Have a severe disability in both upper limbs, regularly drive a motor vehicle but cannot turn the steering wheel of a motor vehicle by hand even if that wheel is fitted with a turning knob
- Are a parent of a disabled child over two and under 16. You can apply for a badge on your child’s behalf. Children under two years old do not qualify for a badge because they would not normally be expected to walk independently.
The Blue Badge Scheme of parking concessions for disabled and blind people began in December 1971. The scheme was last reviewed by central government in 1992 when new eligibility criteria were set down. The County Council does not have the authority to change or alter rules about who is automatically eligible to receive a badge.
How can I apply?
The ways in which you can apply for a Blue Badge have changed.
If you are a permanent resident of Norfolk you can apply for a Blue Badge by:
- Calling our Customer Service Centre on – 0344 800 8020
- Calling in to one of the Council Information Centres around the county
- Applying yourself online with our Online application form. https://online.norfolk.gov.uk/bluebadge/
- Visiting your local library, where staff can help you apply online or use the Freephone to call the customer service centre
If you decide to apply over the telephone, one of our Customer Service Agents will go through the online form with you. This is a quick and simple process and we will be able to tell you if you are eligible, not eligible or if we need to gather further information to make a decision. If your application is successful we will send you a completed paper application form for you to sign and return to us with a cheque for £2 made payable to ‘Norfolk County Council’ and two passport-style photographs to:
Blue Badge Unit,
PO Box 3210
Norwich
NR7 7AB
You will also need to include any relevant documents, for example, proof of the receipt of the Mobility Component at the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance (the evidence must be less than 12 months old and for the current period), or evidence of you being registered as blind.
If we need further information to help us make a decision about your eligibility you may be asked to provide further evidence or we may contact your GP or another health professional.
If this is the case and your application is not automatically eligible, it can take up to six weeks for us to reach a decision. For this reason we suggest that if you are applying for a Blue Badge renewal, you do so six weeks before your current Badge expires.
If your application is approved, once we have received everything necessary, we will aim to issue you a badge within 24 hours.
How long does a Blue Badge last?
A Blue Badge is valid for three years.
Before a badge expires it is essential that a renewal application is completed – this should be done using the normal application process.
Is a reminder sent when renewal is due?
No, this is a National scheme and people with badges are moving in and out of the County all the time. It is the responsibility of the badge holder to request a renewal form.