The Blue Badge Scheme - Parking concessions for disabled and blind people
 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. It allows badge holders to park close to their destination, but only applies to on-street parking.
The Badge may only be used when the Badge holder is being transported in the vehicle, and may not be used by a friend, relative or helper even when providing a service for the disabled badge holder (e.g. shopping).
When the Badge is used, it must be clearly displayed on the dashboard of the vehicle, with the front (showing the wheelchair user symbol) facing outwards, so that the expiry date, serial number and issuing authority are easily visible through the windscreen.
In Wandsworth, the parking concessions for Blue Badge holders include free use of pay-and-display bays, shared use (permit holder and pay and display) bays, permit holder only bays, resident permit holder only bays, business permit holder only bays and disabled bays, without time limit.
The concessions do not include parking in loading bays, doctors' bays, bays that have been suspended from use, disabled bays that have a limited stay (generally sited in busy areas, near shops and amenities), or disabled bays provided for specific residents (as indicated on the bay sign).
Badge holders can also park for up to three hours on yellow lines (except where there is a ban on loading or unloading or other restrictions). You must display your badge and clock, which must be set to the time of arrival when parking on yellow lines.
Further information can be obtained on the scheme by downloading the Department of Transport (DfT) leaflet on the scheme.
You can also download our own leaflet summarising specific rules and conditions in Wandsworth for blue badge holders.
 Blue badge parking in Wandsworth (68 kb)
Qualifying criteria
You may qualify if you:
- Have a permanent and substantial disability, which causes an inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking. Your GP may be required to complete form BB3 to assess your mobility. You may also be required to undertake a physical assessment by our Disability Assessment Officer.
You will automatically qualify if:
- You hold a valid driving licence and have a severe disability in both upper limbs and are unable to turn the steering wheel by hand, even if the wheel is fitted with a turning knob.
- You are receiving the higher rate of the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance.
- You are receiving a War Mobility Pensioner's Mobility Supplement.
- You are a registered blind person
- You use a vehicle supplied by a government health department.
Please note that documentary evidence will be required.
Application forms
Application forms can be obtained by telephoning the Helpline on (020) 8871 8871 and choosing option 4, where you can leave your name and address and a form will be sent to you within a few days. Alternatively, you can ring the Concessionary Travel Team direct on (020) 8871 7709 during office hours, to request a form, or collect one from the One-Stop Counter (address below).
When applying for a Blue Badge, please include all supporting documentation and ensure you include a cheque or postal order for £2. Do not send cash.
Your application should be sent or handed in to:
One-Stop Counter
Technical Services Department
5th Floor
The Town Hall
Wandsworth High Street
London
SW18 2PU
You will be required to supply two current passport size photographs.
Institutional Blue Badges
These are badges issued to organisations that care for a significant number of blind and disabled people. They are governed by the same rules and regulations as an individual's blue badge and may only be used when disabled people of the prescribed description are being carried in the vehicle. Your application may require an assessment by our Investigation Team, which could involve a personal visit to your premises.
How to apply
You will need to give reasons why you feel your organisation needs a blue badge, including the type of care you provide. This is to ensure that the beneficiaries of the badge meet the criteria laid down by the Department of Transport.
You will need to supply proof of your organisation's address in the borough by way of a covering letter on headed paper.
The charge for each badge is £2, payment by cheque or postal order only.
Application forms are available to download in Adobe's pdf format.
Institutional Blue Badge application form (45 kb)
Please call the Blue Badge helpline on (020) 8871 8871 if you require any further information or assistance. You can contact us Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
What to do if your badge is lost, stolen or faded.
If you lose your Blue Badge or have it stolen, we can replace it at the One-Stop Counter, from Monday to Friday, between 10 and 11am. You must ring Concessionary Travel on (020) 8871 8871 to make arrangements to use this service, which may take up to 45 minutes to administer. A £2 replacement fee is charged.
If you live within a controlled parking zone, you may purchase resident visitor permits while you are without your badge, at a discounted charge.
If your Blue Badge becomes faded, we can also replace this at the One-Stop Counter, from Monday to Friday, between 10 and 11am. No appointment is needed, but please note that the counter is less busy between 10am and 12 noon and between 2pm and 4pm, so you may prefer to visit during those periods.
Applying for a Disabled Bay
To be eligible for a disabled bay, you must hold a valid disabled Blue Badge and keep a vehicle at your address. To obtain advice on the application process or request an application form, please contact:
Engineering Consultancy
Wandsworth Council
Tadmore House
Frogmore
London
SW18 1HA
Telephone: (020) 8871 8420
Blue Badge fraud or misuse
Blue badge fraud is on the increase and undermines the integrity of the scheme. If you suspect that a blue badge is being used illegally we would encourage you to phone our Investigation Team on their hotline 0800 085 0866 (answerphone) or speak directly to one of our Investigation Team members on (020) 8871 8021/6547. Calls will be treated in confidence. |
