Blue Badge parking

A Blue Badge lets you park closer to where you need to be when walking is difficult. You can use it in any vehicle, whether you are driving or travelling as a passenger, right across the UK and in much of Europe. If getting around on foot is a struggle, it can make everyday trips, from the shops to a hospital appointment, far more manageable.

Could you get one?

There are two ways to qualify. Some people get a badge automatically because of a benefit they receive, and others are assessed by the council based on how their condition affects them.

It is worth clearing up one common misunderstanding first. If you receive Attendance Allowance, that on its own does not automatically entitle you to a Blue Badge in England. You can still apply, but the council will look at your mobility separately, so it is well worth applying through the assessment route below if walking is hard for you.

You qualify automatically if you:

• are registered blind or severely sight impaired
• get the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• scored 8 points or more in the "moving around" part of your PIP assessment
• scored 10 points in the "planning and following journeys" part of PIP because anxiety or other mental health difficulties stop you leaving the house
• get War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement, or received an Armed Forces Compensation lump sum (tariffs 1 to 8) with a certificate confirming you cannot walk or have very considerable difficulty walking
• are terminally ill with a life expectancy of six months or less (you provide an SR1 form from your GP)

You may qualify after an assessment by the council if you:

• have long-term or permanent difficulty walking
• experience very considerable difficulty when walking, which can include severe psychological distress
• are at risk of serious harm when walking, or could put others at risk
• cannot use your arms

A badge is not given for a diagnosis alone. What matters is how severely your condition affects your mobility, so supporting letters from your GP, consultant or occupational therapist can really strengthen an application.

What it costs and how long it lasts

In England a Blue Badge costs up to £10. It is a one-off fee, you only pay it if your application is approved, and the badge lasts up to three years, after which you reapply. One word of warning: some unofficial websites charge far more than the real fee, so always apply through GOV.UK or the council, never a third party site.

How to apply

The easiest way is to apply online at gov.uk/apply-blue-badge. Your application goes to Derbyshire County Council, who run the scheme locally. You can apply for yourself or on behalf of someone else.

It helps to have your evidence ready before you start. Depending on which route you are applying under, that might be your PIP or DLA award letter, or letters from a doctor, consultant, occupational therapist or care coordinator. If you are renewing, you will need your current badge number and its expiry date. Applications can take several weeks to process, so it is worth applying in good time rather than leaving it to the last minute. If you would like a hand with the form, Citizens Advice can help.

If you are turned down

Please do not give up. If your application is refused, or you feel the decision was wrong, you can ask for it to be looked at again, and you can reapply if your condition worsens or you have new evidence such as a supporting letter from your GP. Many refusals are overturned on review.

Where and how you can park

A Blue Badge gives you some generous parking concessions. You can usually park free and without a time limit in disabled bays and in on-street pay and display bays, and in England you can normally park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours, as long as it is safe, you are not causing an obstruction, and there are no loading restrictions in place. When there is a time limit, set the little clock that comes with your badge to show your time of arrival and display it on the dashboard.

Two things to keep in mind. Rules can differ in some town centres and city zones, so always check the signs where you park. And off-street and private car parks, such as those at supermarkets or hospitals, set their own rules, so look out for their signs too.

Using it properly

The badge belongs to the person it was issued to, and it can only be used when that person is with the vehicle, whether as the driver or a passenger. Misusing a Blue Badge, such as using someone else's when they are not with you, is a criminal offence that can mean a fine of up to £1,000 and the badge being taken away. If a badge is no longer needed, it should be returned to the council.

Where to get help, locally and nationally

Close to home, across Chesterfield, Bolsover and North East Derbyshire:

• Derbyshire County Council, who run the Blue Badge scheme and process applications.
• Citizens Advice, for help with your application. For Bolsover and North East Derbyshire, call 0808 250 5702 (9am to 2pm, Monday to Friday). For the Chesterfield Borough area, find your local office at citizensadvice.org.uk.

Across the country:

• GOV.UK, at gov.uk/apply-blue-badge, to apply or renew.
• Citizens Advice, for general guidance on the scheme and on challenging a decision