FARE GAME
Major change for Blue Badge holders renewing or applying for permit – as warning issued over 12-week deadline
It comes as a controversial proposal concerning Blue Badge holders was binned earlier this year
BLUE Badge holders are set for a major change when renewing their permit - as a 12-week warning is issued.
The Blue Badge scheme allows disabled drivers and passengers to park free of charge in pay and display bays.
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According to the UK Government, 90% of all Blue Badge applications are made online.
The Department for Transport revealed it is seeking improvements to enhance the digital service and streamline applications for both applicants and local councils.
Lillian Greenwood, Transport Minister, explained an improvement programme involves "undertaking specific research and testing to identify innovative improvements to the online application process".
The information was revealed following Reform MP Lee Anderson's query about measures to "reduce processing times for applications to the Blue Badge digital service."
Read more on Blue Badge
Blue Badge holders are also being reminded to renew their permits upon expiration after three years.
Drivers are therefore advised to reapply 12 weeks prior to expiry, so as to avoid any gap in validity.
According to official guidance, local councils "process your application and decides if you can get a Blue Badge.
"You should reapply 12 weeks before your badge expires."
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Recent data reveals there are over two million Blue Badge holders in England.
Earlier this year, The Sun told how disabled drivers forced a U-turn on plans to slap them with parking fees - after a furious backlash.
My car was towed from disabled parking spot even though I have a badge - I had to pay £100s but it’s the council’s fault
Bromley Council binned its controversial proposal to charge Blue Badge holders for parking in council-owned spaces.
It followed widespread outrage from residents and pressure from local MPs, who had branded the plans "shameful".
Tory Councillor Nicholas Bennett, who backed the scheme, admitted the U-turn was down to better-than-expected savings.
WHAT IS A BLUE BADGE AND WHAT DOES IT OFFER?
The blue badge scheme was launched in 1970 and around 2.4million disabled people in England have one.
It enables them to park free of charge in pay and display bays.
They are also able to park free of charge for up to three hours on yellow lines.
They cost £10 from local authorities, and Londoners will be exempt from the Congestion Charge.
There are a range of places that you can park with a blue badge that you would be able to without one.
These are:
- In streets with parking meters or pay-and-display machines for as long as you need to
- In disabled parking bays on streets for as long as you need to, unless a sign says there is a time limit
- On single or double yellow lines for up to 3 hours unless there’s a ‘no loading’ sign
Double check in private car parks if it is free because some places do still charge for disability parking.
If you are unsure if you can park somewhere, check the website or contact the council or owners of the carpark.
You still must obey the rules of the road and not park illegally.
The states that the badge is "not a licence to park anywhere".
He told The Sun: “When this proposal was made last November, the council’s estimated budget gap was over £53m for 2026/27.
"As a result of a number of subsequent savings, we are now able to not proceed with this proposal.”
Bromley Council documents from November estimated the scheme would generate an additional £50,000 for the town hall.
A final consultation on the proposal was set to take place this year.
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