Blue badge scheme

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:
  1. 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.
  2. you receive a War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement;
  3. you are registered blind;
  4. 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
  5. 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.
  6. 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:
disabled

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.