Apply or re-apply for a Blue Badge

The Blue Badge (disabled parking permit) scheme runs throughout the UK. It gives you additional parking rights if you have mobility problems or if you find it difficult to use the public transport. It can also make it easier for you to park close to your destination.

The Department for Transport made significant changes to the Blue Badge scheme for applications made after August 2019. You can now apply for a Blue Badge even if you have a hidden disability such as autism.

Check if you are eligible for a Blue Badge

Your eligibility for a Blue Badge depends on the benefits you receive or your condition. It may or may not require further assessment to establish your eligibility.

Eligible without further assessment

You may be eligible for a Blue Badge without any further assessment if you are more than two years old and any of the following circumstances apply to you.

You:

• receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance
• receive eight points or more under the 'moving around' activity of the mobility component of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• receive the mobility component of the PIP and have obtained ten points on the grounds that you are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress
• are registered blind (severely sight impaired)
• receive a War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement
• receive a lump sum benefit at tariffs 1-8 of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, and are certified as having an enduring and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking

Eligible subject to further assessment

You may be eligible for a Blue Badge subject to further assessment if you are more than two years old and any of the following circumstances apply to you.

• You drive a vehicle regularly and you have:
  • a severe disability in both arms which means you cannot operate all or some types of parking meter
  • considerable difficulty in operating all or some types of parking meter

• You are certified by an expert assessor to have an enduring and substantial disability that will last for at least three years. This means during the course of a journey you:
  • are unable to walk
  • experience very considerable difficulty whilst walking, which may include very considerable psychological distress
  • are at risk of serious harm or pose a risk of serious harm to other people when walking

The difficulty whilst walking could be because of a physical disability or a non-physical disability.

Children under the age of three

A child under the age of three may be eligible for a Blue Badge if their condition means they must always be

• accompanied by bulky medical equipment, causing great difficulty to carry the child around
• kept near a motor vehicle so that any necessary treatment for that condition can be given in the vehicle
• kept near a motor vehicle so that the child can be taken quickly to a place where they can receive any necessary treatment for that condition

Application process

You can only apply for a Blue Badge online. If you are unable to apply online, you can ask your family member to apply on your behalf or you can make an assisted application at our customer services drop-in centre.

You will need to complete the online form whether you are applying for the first time or re-applying for a Blue Badge.

A Blue Badge costs £10. There are other websites offering help to apply for your Blue Badge but they may charge extra for this service. To avoid paying extra, apply via the online form below.

What you'll need

You need to upload these documents to support your online application:

• A digital passport-style photograph
• Evidence to prove your eligibility (for example, your PIP decision letter or hospital consultant letter)

Apply or re-apply for a Blue Badge

Response time

We will review your application and update you on the outcome within five working days. We will send you a payment link if we approve your application.

Once you have paid, you should receive your badge within 12 working days. The whole process may take up to six weeks depending on the complexity of your application.

Important information about your Blue Badge

• You should not hold more than one valid Blue Badge at any given time or share your Blue Badge with anyone else.
• You can check the rights and responsibilities of a Blue Badge holder on the Government website.
• You can use your Blue Badge anywhere in the UK until it expires.
• You can use also your Blue Badge throughout the European Union (EU), but the terms may vary between countries. Check EU Blue Badge rules before you go.

If your Blue Badge is about to expire

You need to apply for a new Blue Badge about eight weeks before your current Blue Badge expires. This is to make sure that you get your new badge in time.

If you have moved out of Swindon, you cannot apply for your new Blue Badge with us. Instead, you need to apply for a new Blue Badge with the council where you live.