This page provides answers to a number of frequently asked questions about the blue badge scheme. Simply click on one of the questions below to jump to the relevant answer.
You can telephone us on 0113 2224401 or 0113 398 4700. Our opening hours are 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
What is the blue badge scheme?
Can I download and print a blue badge application form?
How do I apply for a blue badge?
Will I automatically qualify for a blue badge?
What proof of eligibility do I need to provide?
Does everyone have to provide a photograph with their application for a blue badge?
How long will it take for me to receive my blue badge?
What happens if you need to contact my GP?
Will you tell me if you have written to my GP for more information about my disability?
Does it have to be my GP that you contact for proof of eligibility?
How do I display my blue badge?
How long does the blue badge last?
Is there a charge for a blue badge?
What is a disabled bus pass?
Do I need to fill out a new form every time I want to renew my blue badge?
Can I have a temporary blue badge?
Can I have more than one blue badge?
Can I lend my blue badge to another person?
If I have a blue badge, can I park anywhere?
What happens if my blue badge is confiscated by parking services?
Can I use my blue badge abroad?
What do I do if my blue badge is lost or stolen?
Where can I get a crime or a lost property number?
What do I do if my blue badge is damaged?
What should I do with a blue badge belonging to someone who has died?
What happens if I don’t receive my badge in the post?
What happens if I’m going away on holiday and my current badge runs out while I’m away?
What happens if my application is refused?
Can you use the photograph on my existing badge for my new blue badge?
Can I use any of the disabled parking bays if I have a blue badge?
Can I get a blue badge even if I don’t own a car or drive any more?
When can you fast track an application?
Q. What is the blue badge scheme?
The blue badge scheme provides a national arrangement of parking concessions for people with severe walking difficulties who travel either as drivers or passengers. The scheme also applies to registered blind people and people with very severe upper limb disabilities who regularly drive a vehicle but cannot turn a steering wheel by hand or experience extreme difficulty in using a parking meter. Children under two years may be eligible if they have a condition that requires being accompanied by bulky medical equipment and/or has to be close to a vehicle for emergency medical treatment. The national concessions apply only to on-street parking, where badge holders may park close to their destination, providing no parking restrictions apply which may prohibit the use of the badge.
Q. Can I download and print a blue badge application form?
Yes you can. Simply use the form attached to this page.
Q. How do I apply for a blue badge?
You can obtain an application form by either
- Downloading and printing off the form on this page
- Telephoning us on 0113 222 4401 or 0113 398 4700
- Visiting us at one of our one stop centres
- Writing to us at the above address
Q. Will I automatically qualify for a blue badge?
To automatically qualify for a blue badge you must be registered blind with a local Authority or in receipt of one of the following:
- The mobility component of Disability Living Allowance at the highest rate
- War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement
- A vehicle supplied by the Department for Work and Pensions
Q. What proof of eligibility do I need to provide?
You will need to provide proof that you receive the above benefits with your application. Award letters such as confirmation of DLA must be no more than three years old. You will need to contact the relevant benefit provider for an up to date award letter.
Q. Does everyone have to provide a photograph with their application for a blue badge?
Yes, every one should submit one passport-style photograph with their application. You may submit any suitable full face photograph as long as it is cut down to approximately 5cm wide by 6cm long (passport size). It is fine to take a photograph with a digital camera and we will accept a family photograph if you are unable to use a photo booth. In the exceptional case of severe facial deformity, an applicant is not required to provide a photograph. However, we would require a written explanation with the application.
Q. How long will it take for me to receive my blue badge?
Before we can make a decision as to whether you are eligible or not, we will require the following items from you:
- Your completed application, your photograph and any written proofs that we require from you.
- If you are not automatically eligible for a badge, we may write to your GP for more information about your disability.
Once we have received everything we need to make a decision, we aim to process and issue your badge or send you a refusal letter within ten working days. Please bear in mind that we use the second class post to keep costs down and items will take a few days to get to you once we have posted them. If you are not eligible for a blue badge will write and tell you.
Q. What happens if you need to contact my GP?
If you do not qualify automatically for a blue badge and you have put down your GP as your nominated healthcare person we will write to them as soon as we receive your application form. It can take up to five weeks to receive a response from your GP and we are unable to start processing your application until we have confirmation back from your GP that you are eligible for a badge.
Q. Will you tell me if you have written to my GP for more information about my disability?
Yes, we will send you a letter advising you that we have written to your GP. In our experience it can take a GP up to five weeks to respond to us, so you may wish to check with your GP that he/she has responded to us promptly.
Q. Does it have to be my GP that you contact for proof of eligibility?
We will write to any health professional as requested by you, it does not have to be your GP. For example, you can ask us to contact another health professional such as a district nurse or an occupational therapist. However this person must be familiar with your mobility needs. You will not have to meet any costs for this information to be supplied to us.
Q. How do I display my blue badge?
The badge must be displayed on the top of the dash board or facia panel of the vehicle with the front of the badge facing forward. The front is the side showing the wheelchair user symbol. This is so that the relevant details can be seen from the outside of the vehicle when the vehicle is parked.
Q. How long does the blue badge last?
It lasts for three years. We will automatically send you a new application form six weeks before your badge is due to expire and advise you to renew your application.
Q. Is there a charge for a blue badge?
No, they are issued free of charge.
Q. What is a disabled bus pass?
If your application for a blue badge is successful, you automatically qualify for a disabled travel permit. This would enable you to travel around West Yorkshire with reduced fares on Metro buses and trains. After 9.30am on weekdays and all day Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays, bus travel is free and train travel is just 35p. If you would like us to send you a travel permit if you qualify for a blue badge, please tick the box on the front of the blue badge application form and send us two photographs rather than one.
Q. Do I need to fill out a new form every time I want to renew my blue badge?
Yes, you will need to fill out a new form every time you want to renew your blue badge. We will send you a reminder letter with an application form six weeks before your current badge is due to expire. You will need to complete the form and send it back to us with a new photograph and any proofs as required. We ask you to do this because your circumstances can change over time.
For example, you might now be in receipt of the higher rate component of Disability Living Allowance which would make you automatically eligible for a blue badge. Once we have received everything we need to make a decision, we will process your application. If you are not eligible for a renewed badge we will let you know straight away by letter. If you are eligible for a renewed badge we will post it out to you seven to ten days before you current badge is due to expire. We will not post it out to you any earlier than this.
Q. Can I have a temporary blue badge?
No, the blue badge scheme aims to help people with severe impairments to park close to their destinations. They can be drivers or passengers. People with temporary difficulties, such as a broken leg, do not qualify for a blue parking badge.
Q. Can I have more than one blue badge?
No, only one is issued per person. If you regularly travel in more than one vehicle, it is your responsibility to move the badge between vehicles.
Q. Can I lend my blue badge to another person?
No, it is issued for you only; this can be whether you are the driver or a passenger. It must not be used when you are not the driver or the passenger. If another person uses your blue badge, parking services may issue a parking fine, confiscate the badge and prosecute the offender.
Q. If I have a blue badge, can I park anywhere?
No, it is not a licence to park anywhere. Details of any restrictions in force will be shown on signs at the kerb side. You can usually park on single yellow lines if there are no loading or unloading restrictions and in parking bays. For more information please use the link provided to visit 'Where to park with a blue badge'.
Q. What happens if my blue badge is confiscated by parking services?
Parking Services will keep badges that have expired. If the badge has expired, you will need to reapply. Blue badges that are still current will be returned to us with an explanation of why the it was confiscated.
Q. Can I use my blue badge abroad?
Yes, it can be used in any EC country.
Q. What do I do if my blue badge is lost or stolen?
You will need to write to us and ask for a replacement badge. You will need to include a crime number or a lost property number, a new replacement photograph and a specimen signature. (If your blue badge was lost or stolen within three months of it expiring you will need to complete a new application form). You can write to us at the above address.
Q. Where can I get a crime or a lost property number?
You can get one by calling West Yorkshire Police on 0845 606 0606.
Q. What do I do if my blue badge is damaged?
It is important that the details on your blue badge can be easily read when you display it, otherwise a parking attendant may consider you are parked illegally. If your blue badge becomes faded or damaged in any way, please return it to us with a covering letter and we will send you a replacement within ten working days of receipt. Our address is at the top of this page.
Q. What should I do with a blue badge belonging to someone who has died?
Please return it to us with a covering letter to let us know when the badge holder passed away. We will then destroy the badge and amend our records so that you do not receive any unwanted correspondence from us in the future. Please return the badge to us at the above address.
Q. What happens if I don’t receive my badge in the post?
We send out blue badges using second class post. Please allow a couple of days for the badge to reach you once we have posted it out to you. If you do not receive your badge, please write to us immediately to confirm this and enclose a replacement photograph and a specimen signature. We will send you a replacement badge within 10 working days.
Q. What happens if I’m going away on holiday and my current badge runs out while I’m away?
Please apply for a replacement in good time. You may be asked to return your existing badge so that a replacement can be issued in its place. This will depend on the expiry date of your current badge. On receipt of your completed application, photograph and any written proofs that we require from you. We would aim to send you a new badge within 10 working days.
Q. What happens if my application is refused?
You will need to discuss your application with your health professional. It may be that this person is not aware of any changes to your current situation and that your medical records are not up to date. If the health professional agrees that you meet the criteria, please ask them to write to us confirming this. We will then look at your application again.
Q. Can you use the photograph on my existing badge for my new blue badge?
No. your photograph needs to be less than six months old.
Q. Can I use any of the disabled parking bays if I have a blue badge?
If you have a blue badge you can use any of the disabled parking bays marked. Even if a parking bay appears to have been created and provided for a specific individual it does not stop others from parking in it if it vacant.
Q. Can I get a blue badge even if I don’t own a car or drive any more?
Yes, you don’t have to be a driver or a car owner to have one. The badge is issued to you as a person and it can be used in any vehicle that you travel in. However, you should keep the badge with you at all times and not allow someone else to hold it on your behalf.
Q. When can you fast track an application?
We will fast track applications for cancer patients and terminally ill customers. Please let us know of your circumstances when making your application. We will require written confirmation from a health professional in this instance. Once we have all your documentation including a photograph and a specimen signature, we would aim to process and post your badge out to you within one working day.