The Blue Badge scheme runs throughout the UK and allows people who are registered severely sight impaired, those with hidden disabilities or those with severe mobility issues, easier access to public facilities by allowing them to park nearer to where they need to go.
The rules and criteria are set at national level by the Government, but local authorities are responsible for managing the scheme in their area. Milton Keynes City Council is responsible for administering the scheme, assessment of applications and enforcement for residents and organisations in Milton Keynes.
This application process is for both first time applications and customers who already have a Blue Badge. A family member or friend can assist you by completing it on your behalf.
Before you start your online application
What you will need when making your online application:
- The first six letters/numbers of your current Blue Badge (if you have one)
- an email address - we will use this to communicate with you.
- to be able to make an online payment of £10 using a debit or credit card.
- to upload a passport sized photograph - you can use a scanned copy, digital photograph or take a photograph using your smartphone.
- to upload a scanned copy or photograph of your proof of identity - this can be a birth or adoption certificate, valid photo card driving licence or a passport.
- to upload a scanned copy or photograph of your proof of address within Milton Keynes - this can be a Council Tax bill or utility bill.
- You will also need to upload scanned copies, or photographs, of your eligibility documents dated within the last 12 months (if applicable to your application).
How long is a Blue Badge valid for?
Standard blue badges last 3 years – unless awarded automatically based on a DLA/PIP award, with an expiry date within the 3-year period. If your PIP/DLA letter states that you are eligible for six months or less, we will not be able to issue a Blue Badge.
You must apply to renew your Blue Badge before it expires and return the Blue Badge to the issuing authority if you no longer need it.
Cost
We charge a fee of £10 for all Blue Badges. If your application is unsuccessful the £10.00 charge will be refunded.
If your badge is lost or stolen, you will be charged £10 for a replacement badge. If your badge has been stolen and you provide a crime number you will not be charged.
Applying for a new Blue Badge
The application process can take 10 to 12 weeks from receipt of all required information, although in most cases applications will be completed sooner than this. Please complete all sections as incomplete applications cannot be processed and therefore can cause a delay in the issuing of the Blue Badge. Applicants will be required to demonstrate eligibility and may be asked to attend an Independent Mobility Assessment if this is deemed to be appropriate.
Current Blue Badge holders
Blue Badges cannot be automatically renewed. It is the responsibility of the Blue Badge holder to apply for a new Blue Badge before their existing badge expires. Please see 'Applying for a new Blue Badge' above.
Blue Badge scheme
Am I eligible for a Blue Badge?
People who automatically qualify for a badge
You are automatically eligible for a Blue Badge if you are over two years old and meet one of the following criteria:
- receive the Higher Rate of the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (HRMCDLA)
- receive the moving around descriptor for the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) with a score of 8 or more points.
- receive the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment with a score of 10 points specifically for Descriptor E, the “planning and following journeys” activity on the grounds undertaking any journey would cause overwhelming psychological distress. This should include the second page of the award letter which shows the 8 points or more for moving around or that you receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and have been awarded 10 points specifically for (Descriptor E) for planning and following a journey. If you have any score other than 10 points under descriptor E, in the ‘planning and following journeys’ activity of PIP you may still be eligible for a Blue Badge, but you do not automatically qualify. This includes if you have a higher score of 12. You will have to provide evidence to demonstrate your eligibility which will be assessed as part of your application.
- are registered blind (severely sight impaired).
- receive a War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement (WMPS) have been awarded a lump sum benefit at tariffs 1-8 of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
- are certified as having an enduring and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.
- have a life limiting illness and provide a completed copy of a SR1 form.
All proof of eligibility must be dated within the last 12 months.
If you do not automatically qualify for a Blue Badge, you may still be eligible if you are over two years old and:
- have a severe disability in both arms, drive a vehicle regularly and are unable to operate, or have considerable difficulty in operating, all or some types of parking meter or pay and display equipment.
- have an enduring and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking, which may include very considerable psychological distress.
- be at risk of serious harm when walking, or pose, when walking a risk of serious harm to any other persons
You will be asked a series of questions to assess your eligibility and you may be asked to attend an assessment with an expert assessor. If your application is turned down, you can ask for this decision to be reviewed. Information about the appeals process is sent to any applicant who is refused a Blue Badge.
A registered health care professional will assess you. Your GP can no longer provide an assessment but could provide supporting evidence.
If you are applying for a Blue Badge and do not meet the criteria to automatically qualify, you must provide supporting evidence with your application form that supports what benefit would be gained from walking a reduced distance between the car and the destination and details of how frequently this occurs.
The supporting evidence can include copies of diagnosis letters and details of ongoing treatment plans, care plans, education health and care plans, patient summaries and SEND support plans. The supporting evidence must be dated within the last 12 months and can be provided by any of the following professionals and must be provided on headed paper and signed:
- clinical psychologist
- educational psychologist
- gastroenterologist
- neurologist
- occupational therapist
- physiotherapist
- psychiatrist
- rheumatologist
This is not an exhaustive list and evidence will be considered by other professionals involved in diagnosing or treating the conditions under which you are applying for a Blue Badge.
You can also provide a statement explaining in your own words on how your disability affects you when walking.
Your application will be delayed if you do not upload the required documents when you make your application.
If we ask you for some additional information and you do not send it to us within 4 weeks of the request, your application will be cancelled.
Please be aware that any costs involved in obtaining evidence to support your Blue Badge application must be paid for by you and we will not reimburse them.
Children under 3 years old
If you are the parent of a child who is under three years old you may apply for a Blue Badge for your child if they have a specific medical condition that means that they:
- must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried around without great difficulty.
- need to be kept near a vehicle at all times, so that they can, if necessary, be treated in the vehicle, or quickly driven to a place where they can be treated, such as a hospital.
By proceeding with this application, you are indicating your acceptance and confirmation of the Blue Badge terms and conditions and that you accept any personal information you provide will be collected and used in compliance with Data Protection legislation, as set out in our Blue Badge Privacy Notice.
After your application has been assessed
Successful applicants
If your application is successful a Blue Badge will be posted directly to the address on your application form.
If you have applied to renew your Blue Badge, you should return your expired badge to the Milton Keynes City Council Blue Badge team to be securely destroyed. If you do not return it, please ensure that you destroy and securely dispose of the expired badge to prevent any possible future fraudulent use.
Unsuccessful applicants
If your application is unsuccessful, we will write to inform you and we will refund your payment. You may be eligible for a Bus Pass or to use the Community Transport Service.
The letter notifying you of the reasons why your application has been refused will give details of how to request a review.
Applying for replacement badges
The details on your Blue Badge must be easy to read, otherwise a parking attendant may consider you are parked illegally. Damaged badges must be returned to Milton Keynes City Council Blue Badge Team for secure disposal. If your badge becomes damaged you will need to apply for a replacement.
If your badge is lost, stolen or damaged within three months of the date of expiry you will need to complete a new application.
Lost or damaged parking clocks
Damaged parking clocks must be returned to Milton Keynes City Council Blue Badge team for secure disposal. If you have lost or damaged your clock, please the contact us to ask for a replacement.
Using your Blue Badge
Blue Badge holders can park for free and with no time limit at parking meters and pay and display street parking unless a local traffic order specifies a time limit and/or charge.
A Blue Badge will also let you park on single or double yellow lines for up to 3 hours, except where there is a ban on loading or unloading. When you park on yellow lines or in other places with a time restriction, you need to display the blue parking clock set to show your time of arrival.
There must be an interval of at least 1 hour before the same vehicle can be parked in the same road or part of a road again.
The Blue Badge must be displayed, together with the blue parking clock showing the quarter hour period of arrival so it is visible from outside.
Where can’t you use a Blue Badge?
You cannot use it:
- in places with a ban on loading or unloading (as indicated by 1 or 2 yellow marks on the kerb with times shown on the post mounted plates)
- where there are double white lines in the centre of the road, even if one of the lines is broken.
- in a bus or tram lane during its hours of operation
- in a cycle lane
- on any clearway, double or single red lines during their hours of operation
- on Zebra, Pelican or Toucan crossings
- on zigzag markings before and after Zebra, Pelican or Toucan crossings
- in parking places reserved for specific users e.g. loading bays, taxis, cycles.
- in suspended meter bays or when use of the meter is prohibited
- where temporary restrictions are in force, such as no waiting cones.
- on school 'keep clear' markings during the hours shown on a yellow no-stopping plate
- in certain town centres, where access is prohibited or limited to vehicles with special permits issued locally.
- in some parts of Central London
- at some airports
- in off-street car parks. Some may provide spaces for disabled people, but you may have to pay.
If you park where it may cause an obstruction or danger to other road users:
- The police could remove your vehicle.
- you could be prosecuted and your Blue Badge withdrawn.
Vehicles cannot be wheel clamped on the public highway for parking offences, provided a valid Blue Badge is correctly displayed on the vehicle. But if you park improperly on privately owned land, you may risk having your vehicle wheel clamped.
The vehicle must be moved if a police officer or a civil enforcement officer (previously called traffic wardens) in uniform requests it.
Your responsibilities as a Blue Badge holder
You must never:
- give the Blue Badge to friends or family to allow them to have the benefit of the parking concessions.
- use a copied Blue Badge to park or attempt to alter the details on a Blue Badge
The Blue Badge remains the property of the issuing local authority and we can ask for the Blue Badge to be returned if it is being misused. It is your responsibility to use the Blue Badge properly. The Blue Badge and its concessions are for your use only.
It is a criminal offence for you, or anyone to misuse the Blue Badge, and doing so could lead to a £1,000 fine and confiscation of the Blue Badge. Making sure that the scheme is not abused will benefit genuine Blue Badge holders.
Your rights and responsibilities are detailed on the gov website.
