The Blue Badge parking scheme
The Blue Badge scheme provides a range of parking concessions for people with severe mobility problems who have difficulty using public transport. The scheme operates throughout the UK.
Future changes to Blue Badges
Changes to the application form
Who can have a blue badge?
Organisational Blue Badges
Frequently asked questions
Future changes to Blue Badges
From January 2012 the Department for Transport is making changes to Blue Badges.
- The maximum fee a local council can charge for a Blue Badge will increase from £2 to £10. Bolton Council will charge £10 for all Blue Badges that expire on or after 1st January 2012.
- The design of the Blue Badge will change to aid enforcement and make it harder to tamper with, copy or forge.
- You will be able to apply for a badge online through Directgov.
You'll still be able to apply directly to us for a Blue Badge.
Changes to the application form
When you apply on line from January 2012, the application form will be based on the Department for Transport model application form.
Bolton Council is changing to the model application form so that all applicants will answer the same questions, no matter how they apply.
The Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 states that local authorities "shall maintain a register showing the holders of badges issued by the authority… and the vehicle or vehicles for which each of the badges is held". For this reason, we need to now ask for the registration number(s) of any vehicles that you will use.
Who can have a Blue Badge?
Eligible without further assessment
Anyone who meets one of the following criteria is eligible for the issue of a Blue Badge without further assessment:
- receives the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance;
- receives a War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement;
- is a registered blind person under the National Assistance Act 1948;
- has been awarded a benefit (giving rise to a lump sum at tariffs 1-8 inclusive) under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) and has also been certified by the Service Personnel and Veterans agency as having a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.
Eligible with further assessment
You can still apply for a Blue Badge if you do not meet the above criteria but you:
- have a severe disability in both upper limbs and regularly drive a motor vehicle, but have difficulty operating parking meters;
- have a permanent and substantial disability which means you are unable to walk or have very considerable difficulty in walking;
- have a child/children under 3 years of age who, because of a specific medical condition, need to travel with bulky medical equipment or need to be close to a vehicle for emergency medical treatment.
The Blue Badge scheme is administered by Bolton Council who issue badges in accordance with guidelines and regulations provided by the department for transport.
Organisational Blue Badges
A Blue Badge can be issued to organisations that transport disabled people who, if they applied for a Blue Badge as individuals, would qualify in their own right. A senior representative may apply on behalf of their organisation.
Organisations will need to prove that they:
- Transport a sufficient number of people (minimum of six)
- Transport their disabled customers on a regular basis
- Have a contract with their disabled customers for a minimum of three years
Organisations will need to provide either:
- A logo on letter headed paper
- An official stamp
NB Taxi firms would not normally be granted an organisational badge as they rarely meet the above criteria. In this instance, we would recommend that their clients apply for an individual badge.
Applying for a Blue Badge
You can apply for a Blue Badge either by going online at direct.gov (please see the Links section to the right of the page) or alternatively contacting Access Bolton’s Blue Badge Team on 01204 337244 or 01204 337266.
You will need to provide two passport sized photographs of yourself with your name, application reference number and date of birth printed on the back before your application is reviewed. Please note that the photographs will not be returned to you.
Access Bolton will then write to you if you have been successful or not in your application.
If successful you will be instructed to provide the following:
- Proof that you meet the automatic criteria (proofs must be dated within the last 12 months). Please don't send originals in the post,
- A £10.00 cheque or postal order made payable to 'Bolton MBC',
- I.D. proof x 2 (valid passport, full drivers license, two utility bills).
Frequently asked questions:
Is there an age limit?
There is no upper age limit – you can apply if you meet any of the criteria for automatic entitlement, or your mobility is sufficiently limited. For further information see the notes above or contact us using the details on the Contact details tab at the top of this page.
Where can I find out more?
For more information about Blue Badges, visit the Department for Transport Blue Badge website using the Links section to the right of this page.
My Blue Badge has been lost/stolen. What should I do?
You need to contact us by telephone or in writing. Please see the Contact details tab at the top of this page.
We will cancel your lost/stolen badge and send out a new application form for you to fill in.
You should also report it to Greater Manchester Police (please see the Links section to the right of the page) as you will need to tell us the crime reference number or lost property reference number when you apply for your new badge.
I have been refused, can I appeal?
You have no right to appeal against a decision by us to refuse a Blue Badge. However, if you have been refused you may ask us to reconsider in writing within 28 days if you disagree with the decision or can provide more information which may support a successful application. You may be asked to attend a mobility assessment with an occupational therapist.