Who is responsible for the scheme?
The scheme is run by the Department of Transport, but administered
by Local Authorities. Suffolk County Council is responsible
for administering the scheme in Suffolk.
A new interactive online service has been launched which will make
it much easier for disabled people to find Blue Badge scheme
parking bays in 64 towns and cities across the UK.
This mapping facility is the first of its kind and will enable
people to search by postcode or town/area name for designated Blue
Badge parking bays, parking bays that fall on red routes in London
and accessible petrol stations. The service will also outline the
address, number of spaces, any time restrictions or special notices
that apply to individual allocated Blue Badge parking bays.
Who qualifies for a parking badge?
You are eligible for a badge if you meet any of the following
conditions:
- you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the
Disability Living Allowance. The period of the badge will run
for the period of the award.
- you receive a War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement;
- you are registered blind;
- you 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 or
regularly drive a non-adapted vehicle but cannot operate or have
considerably difficulty in operating all or some types of parking
meter, for example; those with Thalidomide related
disabilities
- eligibility has been extended to children under the age of 2
who due to a specific medical condition, need to travel with bulky
medical equipment or be close to a vehicle for emergency medical
treatment. These badges will expire on the day after the child's
second birthday.
- you have a permanent and substantial disability, which means
you are unable to walk or have very considerable difficulty in
walking. In this case, you may be asked to answer a series of
questions to help us determine whether you are eligible for a
badge. We may also request information from your doctor.
People with a psychological disorder will not normally qualify
unless their impairment causes very considerable, and not
intermittent, difficulty in walking. Children under two years of
age do not qualify for a badge, unless qualifying under criteria 5
above.
How does Suffolk County Council interpret eligibility
criteria?
Although Suffolk County Council have a duty to issue badges only to
people who meet the eligibility criterion detailed above, we also
wish to make the process as straightforward and unobtrusive as
possible and have adopted the following procedures and
interpretation of criteria in order to achieve this:
Anyone included in categories 1 to 3 above will, upon
production of written evidence of such an award, be issued with a
badge under the automatic criteria for issue.
All other applications will be considered under the assessed
eligibility criteria as follows:
- severe disability in both upper limbs, as under criteria 4
above.
- a full description of your child's medical condition and
medical equipment used as under criteria 5 above.
- ability to walk: An applicant’s mobility must be severely
limited, usually not able to walk more than a short distance before
experiencing severe pain or physical distress, and find it
impossible to visit shops, public buildings or other places without
a badge. When considering an applicants ability to walk, other
things such as carrying parcels, cannot be taken into
account.
- permanent disability: When applying for a Blue Badge, a
disability will be considered permanent if likely to last for more
than 18 months.
Temporary disabilities such as a broken leg, awaiting or
recovering from replacement hip or knee surgery, will not
qualify for a Blue Badge.
- information from your doctor: Although we will always ask for
your permission to contact your doctor, we will only do so when
there is a need for more information to assist us reach a decision.
To ensure the scheme is properly administered, we also reserve the
right to make random checks to determine eligibility.
- people under 65 years of age:
If you are under 65 years of age, you are advised to apply to the
Benefits Agency for the higher rate mobility component of the
Disability Living Allowance (which is not means tested). The
criterion for this allowance is the same as for the Disabled
Parking Badge, and ensures automatic issue when awarded. If you do
not meet these criteria, you may not qualify for a
badge.
How do I apply for a new badge or request a renewal?
You can telephone Customer First on 0808 800
4005 between 8.00 am and 6.45 pm, Monday to Friday to
request an application form.
You can write to Customer First, PO Box 771, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP6
8WB.
These forms are
available to download:
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The form needs to be sent to Customer First:
Customer First
PO Box 771
Ipswich
IP6 8WB
When renewing a badge, please make this clear when contacting
us or when you send in the form.
Will I need to send anything else?
You will need to enclose the following along with your completed
application form:
- Two recent passport-sized photographs (approximately 3.5cm x
4.5cm or 1" x 11/4") that you have signed on the back to confirm
they are a true likeness of you (In cases of an unsuccessful
application, photographs will only be returned if a self-addressed
envelope is enclosed with application).
Please avoid “Polaroid” style photographs due to the chemicals
they contain.
- A cheque or postal order for £2 made out to Suffolk County
Council This is a non-refundable administration fee. Receipts
will only be issued if a self-addressed envelope is enclosed with
application;
For security reasons we ask that you do not send cash.
Can I apply on behalf of someone else?
Yes, you can apply on behalf of a person with a disability if
you:
- Are a parent or guardian of a child up to 16 years.
- Deal with the affairs of someone who cannot apply themselves,
for example someone with severe learning difficulties or living
with dementia.
You must sign the photographs on the back to confirm they are a
true likeness of the person who qualifies for the badge. In all
other sections of the form and accompanying guidance, the words
‘You’ and ‘I’ refer to
the person who qualifies for the badge and not the person applying
for them.
If someone has difficulty writing, for example due to poor
eyesight or poor co-ordination, you can fill the form in for them,
but they must sign the form and photographs.
If the application is for a child under the age of 12, the
signature can be provided by their guardian.
Where can I use a badge?
The scheme only applies to on-road parking on public roads, but
there are certain restrictions, which are set out in an explanatory
booklet, which will be sent with your Blue Badge. However, The
scheme
does not apply in off-street car parks or on private roads,
although some may provide spaces for disabled drivers. You should
always check the signs to see what concessions are available, and
whether Blue Badge holders have to pay.
What are my responsibilities as a Blue Badge holder?
- You must display the badge in a position where it is visible
when using the parking benefits.
- You should only display the badge when using the parking
benefits except if the vehicle is being driven by 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 badge holder.
- Badges last for three years only. It is the badge holder’s
responsibility to apply for a replacement
- badge, usually several weeks before the current badge
expires.
- You must ensure you comply with traffic and parking regulations
as described in the explanatory booklet issued with your
application form. The badge holder is responsible for any fines or
convictions due to not observing traffic or parking
regulations.
- It is the badge holder’s responsibility to ensure the badge is
used properly.
- You must not allow other people to use the badge. Do not leave
the badge in your vehicle when not using the parking
concessions.
- You must ensure the details on the front of your badge remain
legible. If they become unreadable, the badge must be returned to
the local authority for re-issue.
- You must return your Blue Badge if you no longer need it.
- Expired badges and badges held by people who have died must be
returned to Customer First, PO Box 771, Ipswich, IP6
8WB.
What are the penalties for misusing a Blue Badge?
- 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 for a fine of up to
£1,000.
- It is a criminal offence to drive a vehicle displaying a Blue
Badge unless the badge holder is in the vehicle, or the vehicle is
being driven by 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 badge holder.
Can I appeal if my application for a badge is refused?
Although there is no statutory right of appeal, Suffolk County
Council will, when requested to do so, reconsider the application
and decision. Such requests should be made in writing and include
any additional information to support your request. Requests of
this kind should be made to the same address as your
application.