The government is in the process of changing the blue badge scheme rules. Find the latest information online|
For general information on the Blue Badge scheme, including how it works and whether you might be eligible for a badge, please call the national helpline on 0844 4630213
What is the Blue Badge Scheme?
The Blue Badge Scheme provides some common parking arrangements across the European Union for people with disabilities who either travel as drivers or passengers. A blue badge allows a vehicle to be parked close to where the badge holder needs to go.
To be eligible for the provisions of the scheme, the blue badge must be valid and displayed correctly. Blue badges should be displayed with the badge expiry date facing forward and clearly visible from outside the vehicle. Motorists/badge holders who do not comply with all the requirements of the scheme may receive a parking ticket.
Blue badges are only valid for parking when the badge holder is either driving the vehicle or being transported in it. The badge holder must be present at the time the vehicle is parked. If the badge holder has already been dropped off before the vehicle is parked, the driver cannot then use the badge. Blue badges are not for use by family or friends of the badge holder to obtain free or more convenient parking. Use of a blue badge by a person other than the badge holder is a criminal offence and can lead to a fine of up to £1,000.
Police Officers and the council’s own Civil Enforcement Officers can inspect blue badges to ensure that they are being used properly and badge holders must show their badges when requested. It is against the law to refuse to hand over a badge for inspection.
The Blue badge is recognised throughout the European Union but different restrictions can apply in some countries (including some differences between England and Scotland). It is wise to check the rules before travelling.
Who can apply?
You can apply for a badge if:
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You receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance or you receive War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement. You will need to supply a copy of the original award letter showing the rate given and the duration of the award.
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You are registered blind. You will need to provide either a copy of the registration letter from the local authority who registered you, or a copy of the new Certificate of Visual Impairment or CVI form supplied by your eye consultant. If you are registered with Gateshead Council we may be able to access the register to confirm this.
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You have a severe disability in both upper limbs, regularly drive a vehicle but cannot turn the steering wheel of a vehicle by hand even if that wheel is fitted with a turning knob. We will write to your doctor to confirm this.
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You have a permanent and substantial disability, which means you are unable to walk or have considerable difficulty in walking. In this case we will write to your doctor to ask him to confirm these details.
How can I apply for a Blue Badge?
Contact us if you live within Gateshead. If not, you must apply to the local authority responsible for your area.
You must complete an application form| and send it to us at the below address. We will be unable to process the application if the form is not fully completed or if it is not signed.
If you are applying because you have severe walking difficulties but do not receive any mobility allowances, your application may take a few weeks to be processed because we will need to write to your doctor for medical evidence.
The final decision to issue or refuse a badge rests entirely with the council and we will contact you once a decision has been made.
Blue Badge application forms online| or from:
Parking Services
Development & Enterprise
Gateshead Council
Civic Centre
Regent Street
Gateshead
NE8 1HH
Tel: 0191 433 2429
Email: parkingandregulation@gateshead.gov.uk|
Frequently Asked Questions
I receive the lower rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance. Do I qualify for a badge?
If you receive the lower rate of the mobility component, the council will write to your doctor for confirmation of your medical condition. It is only the higher rate of mobility that gives you automatic entitlement to a badge.
Can I apply for a blue badge for a child?
Applications for children over the age of two years will be processed in exactly the same way as for an adult. The application must be made in the child’s name and the photographs must be of the child. The parent or guardian will be required to sign the form for children up to the age of sixteen years.
My Child is under 2. Can I still apply?
Yes, but under special rules. A parent of a child who is less than 2 years old may apply for a badge for their child if the child has a specific medical condition which means they must:
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Always need to be accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried around without great difficulty; and/or
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Need to be kept near a vehicle at all times so that they can, if necessary, be treated in the vehicle, or quickly be driven to a place where they can be treated, such as hospital.
My partner has had a stroke and is no longer able to write. Can I sign the form instead?
Yes.
Do I have to supply photographs?
Not at the application stage. If your application is approved we will write to you, requesting two recent passport-sized photographs (no more than 12 months old) which you should sign on the back. Photographs taken using a digital camera are acceptable. One of the photographs will be affixed to the Blue Badge, the other will be retained on file.
Is there a charge for a Blue Badge?
Yes, a badge currently costs £2.00. This fee is set by the Government.
How long is my Blue Badge valid for?
Badges are usually issued for a maximum period of three years. However, if the badge is issued because you are in receipt of a mobility allowance and the end date of the mobility allowance is less than three years away, then the badge will be issued to coincide with the end of the mobility allowance.
Can I appeal if my application for a blue badge is refused?
There is no automatic right of appeal, but Gateshead Council has created a process to allow you to request a review if you think the decision to refuse a blue badge was wrongly made. You should write to the council’s Parking Services Manager and explain why you believe the decision was incorrectly made. The matter will then be reviewed, involving the council’s disabilities team if need be, and a final decision will then be made by the Parking Services Manager.
However, please note that we are only allowed to issue a blue badge where the applicant meets all of the criteria set out by law.
Can I have more than one Blue Badge?
No, not under any circumstances. The badge is personal to the badge holder and can be used in any vehicle as long as the holder is present.
How do I get my Blue Badge renewed?
You will need to submit a renewal application|, but please note that you are not automatically entitled to a new badge simply because you have had one in the past
If your last badge was issued to you on the grounds of your entitlement to the higher rate, mobility component of Disability Living Allowance then you will be required to submit a copy of your award letter along with your completed renewal form. If you can't find your award letter, or the one you have is dated more than 12 months ago, you will need to obtain a new one form the Department for Work and Pensions.
If you cannot supply this because you no longer get Disability Living Allowance then you will be asked to complete a new application form. We will then write to your doctor to ask him to confirm your medical condition(s). You should return your old badge to us once you have received your new one.
I have a Blue Badge – can I claim free car tax?
No, the blue badge only provides parking concessions. In order to qualify for free car tax, current Government rules require the holder to be in receipt of Higher Rate Mobility component of Disability Living Allowance and apply to the DVLA (Call 0870 240 0010).
What happens if I lose my Blue Badge or it is stolen?
If it is stolen, report this immediately to the police to obtain a crime report number. When you have this information, contact the Parking Services section at the Civic Centre.
How do I obtain a replacement Blue Badge?
Contact Parking Services for more information and to report the loss or damage of the blue badge . You will be required to complete and sign a declaration giving the circumstances of the loss/theft. You will need to supply two more passport sized photographs and the fee of £2.00 (in the case of theft, a crime number must be quoted and the replacement badge will then be free of charge). Parking Services will record the loss and notify the parking enforcement team.
Your replacement badge will be issued to the same expiry date as the one you have lost. Only one replacement blue badge is normally allowed.
I have lost my time clock - can I have a new one?
Yes, and there is no fee for this.
I don’t have a car. Does this mean I can't have a Blue Badge?
You don’t need to have a car or be a car driver to have a Blue Badge. The badge issued will belong to you and you may use it in any car you are travelling in. However, the driver of the car may not use your badge unless the journey is for your purposes and you are personally present in the car.
The Parking Services team will be happy to check the status of your application. Please call the number below or visit the reception on the second floor of the Civic Centre.
The Blue Badge scheme of parking concessions for disabled and blind people