Blue badge for disabled people
About the blue badge
The blue badge (formerly the orange badge) is the common name for the 'parking card for disabled people'. It offers parking concessions to those who fall within certain categories of physical and sensory disability. It operates across the European Union and is regulated in the UK by the Department for Transport (DfT), which stipulates the qualifying categories.
There are currently seven qualifying categories, which are listed under the "Eligibility" heading below.
A car displaying a blue badge may to park onstreet without charge (subject to certain conditions) in areas where others would have to pay a parking fee. The blue badge can be used in any vehicle in which the holder is travelling; the holder does not have to be the driver. For more information about the Blue Badge Scheme go to the Blue Badge DfT Link associated link.
The legislation which specifies the qualifying categories is the Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 and the Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (England) (Amendment No.2) Regulations 2007. This legislation came into effect on 15 October 2007.
Eligibility - qualifying categories
A person is eligible for a blue badge if they:
- have a permanent and substantial disability that means they are unable to walk or have very considerable difficulty walking
- receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the disability living allowance (DLA)
- are registered blind
- receive a war pensioners' mobility supplement
- drive a vehicle regularly, have a severe disability in both arms and are unable to operate, or have considerable difficulty operating, all or some types of parking metre
- are a child under the age of two years who, on account of a condition, must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment that cannot be carried around with the child without great difficulty (see list below)
- are a child under the age of two years 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.
Bulky medical equipment includes:
- ventilators
- suction machines
- feed pumps
- parenteral equipment
- syringe drivers
- oxygen administration equipment
- continual oxygen saturation monitoring equipment
- casts and associated medical equipment for the correction of hip dysplasia.
If you live in Croydon and wish to apply for a blue badge contact travel services (details below) and ask for an application form. We do not have the facility to take applications electronically.
Reporting changes of personal details
If you have a blue badge please remember to report any change of address or telephone number to travel services so that we can make sure that all renewal invitation letters reach you. Please provide proof of your new address such as a utility bill, tenancy agreement or letter from your bank.
Review of blue badge scheme
The department for transport are reforming the blue badge disabled parking. A report is available to view from the following link on the changes being made. www.dft.gov.uk
There is also a briefing note below of the most significant changes.
Contact Details
- Contact name
- Travel Services
- Telephone
- 020 8726 7100
- travel.service@croydon.gov.uk
- Address
- Travel Services Team
Integrated Service Centre
Taberner House, 5th floor, north east quadrant
Park Lane,
Croydon, CR9 3JS
Downloads
An Easy Guide to Accessible Transport in Croydon
(1675K)
- The Croydon Mobility Forum has helped produce 'An Easy Guide to Accessible Transport in Croydon' through their involvement in the Partnership Group for Adults with Physical and Sensory Disabilities. This 'living' document can be viewed and printed using the link provided, this version is in PDF (portable document format) and there is another in Word. Hard copies are in libraries, One-Stop receptions and can be requested by calling 020 8726 6500.
