Home: Community full menu: Care and support: Living independently: Getting out and about

Blue Badge scheme

Helen Rodger - December 2011
disabled.travel@kirklees.gov.uk

What the Blue Badge scheme is

It is a national scheme for parking concessions for disabled people over 2 years old, in an addition children under 3 yrs with specific conditions ie Children under the age of three will be eligible for a Blue Badge if they fall under either or both of the following categories:
  • a child who, on account of a condition, must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried around with the child without great difficulty;
  • a child who, on account of a condition, must always be kept near a motor vehicle so that, if necessary, treatment for that condition can be given in the vehicle or the child can be taken quickly in the vehicle to a place where such treatment can be given.

Parking badge holders are able to use the parking spaces set aside for disabled people, and park in paid parking zones for longer periods of time. Gateway to care run the scheme locally on behalf of the Department of Transport following the rules set out by the government. The parking badge and a time clock must be displayed on the dashboard of the car while it is parked. The blue badge permit is valid for a maximum of three years.

How to qualify for a Blue Badge

You can get a Blue Badge if:
  • You are registered blind
  • You receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance
  • You receive War Pensioners Mobility Supplement
  • You are unable to walk or have very considerable difficulty in walking because of a permanent and substantial disability
  • You have a severe disability in both upper arms which means you would not be able to turn the steering wheel of a car, even if it was fitted with a turning knob. You must also be the driver of the car
  • You are under two and due to a specific medical condition need to travel with bulky medical equipment or a need to be close to a vehicle for emergency treatment.
  • You receive a tariff within 1-8 (inclusive) of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and have been assessed as having a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty walking.
Further information for applicants who are unsure they qualify:

How to apply for a Blue Badge

National Insurance Number

Before you start to complete the blue badge application form, please make sure that you have your national insurance number and driving licence number, if you have one as required in the application process.
  • Online forms: Blue Badge application form
  • Visit any public reception to complete your application via a public access computer
  • Telephone 01484 414847

People can also ring for assistance to complete Blue Badge applications.

Where you can park

You can park in a pay and display bay on street all day free of charge.

When parking in a car park you must park in a bay and adhere to the maximum stay time restriction (see tariff board in car park). Your clock must be displayed showing your arrival time.

Kingsgate and Market Hall pay on foot car parks do not offer any concessions.

Your valid blue badge must be clearly displayed at all times otherwise you may be issued with a penalty charge notice.

Please refer to your blue badge handbook for further concessions and areas where you can park.

In a number of car parks, larger bays are set aside for disabled persons. To find out where these are you can search through the list of facilities we provide using the link below:

If your Blue Badge is lost or stolen

  • You will need to report your badge as lost or stolen
  • If your blue badge has been stolen please ensure that it is reported to the Police and you receive a crime number and also report it using the form below.
  • An appointment will be made for you to attend to collect your replacement Blue Badge in person. This process can take a few weeks.
  • If your original Blue Badge is found then it must be returned to Gateway to care. If used it might result in a parking fine.

What to do if your application for a blue badge is unsuccessful

If you apply for a blue badge and your application is unsuccessful then you can appeal in writing within 28 days of the date of the refusal letter. For more information see our Blue Badge Appeals Procedure.

Points to remember

Badge holders have a duty to return the badge if:
  • the badge expires
  • the badge holder is no longer eligible or, in the case of an organisational badge, the organisation no longer exists or is no longer eligible
  • it is a replacement badge for one that is lost or stolen and the original is found/recovered (in this case the original badge should be returned so that it can be officially destroyed)
  • the badge is so damaged/faded that the details on it are illegible
  • the badge is no longer required by the holder
  • the badge holder dies

A to Z of the website