The blue badge (disabled persons) parking scheme is a national scheme that allows disabled people to maintain their independence by enabling them to park as close as possible to their destination.

A blue badge is not linked to a specific vehicle, it can be used in any car you’re travelling in, whether you’re the driver or passenger.

If you’re a parent or carer of a child with disabilities you can apply for a blue badge on their behalf.

Never pay someone to apply for you.

Ignore any websites or companies which offer to apply for a blue badge on your behalf, especially for a fee. If you've been affected by a scam like this please contact Citizens Advice.

How to apply for or renew a blue badge

Step 1 - check if you're eligible

See if you meet the eligibility criteria on GOV.UK

Renewal applications can only be accepted 12 weeks (84 days) in advance of the Blue Badge expiry date. If you submit an application too far in advance it will be declined and you will be asked to resubmit.

Step 2 - check what you need before you apply

You will need to provide:

  • the first 6 digits of your current blue badge number (if you're reapplying)
  • a passport-style photograph of yourself taken within the last month
  • your National Insurance number
  • proof of address - such as your driving licence, benefit award/pension letter, or we can check our records (we don’t accept utility bills, bank statements or tenancy agreements)
  • proof of identity - such as your driving licence, passport, birth or adoption certificate, marriage or civil partnership certificate, or deed poll certificate
  • Proof of relevant medical evidence or qualifying disability benefits:
    • if you’re in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP), you may not need to provide your award letter, we’ll check your blue badge eligibility with the Department for Works and Pensions on your behalf.
    • If you are in receipt of War Pension Mobility Supplement or have been awarded a lump sum from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (tariffs 1-8) and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability which means you can’t walk or you find walking very difficult, please contact Veterans UK if you need a copy of your award letter.

You’ll need to have a photo of each of these, or have them scanned onto your computer, phone or tablet, so that you can upload them on to the application form. If you can’t upload them, please email them to the blue badge team or post them to:

Blue Badge Team, East Annexe, Town Hall, Sankey Street, Warrington WA1 1UH

Step 3 - check how to pay then apply

A blue badge costs £10. You’ll be asked to pay when you submit your application; please make sure you have a debit or credit card ready to make the payment. Card payments will appear on your bank statement as ‘WBC MV Internet’ followed by the amount paid.

If your application is unsuccessful, your payment will be refunded.

Apply for a Blue Badge

Renew a Blue Badge

After you apply

If you have additional evidence to provide, please send it to us as soon as possible.

We open and start to assess applications in date order and they can take up to 12 weeks to complete. We’ll check your eligibility and contact you if we need anything else to support your application.

You may be asked to upload evidence to your application; you can do this by logging into your My Warrington account then return to your application. Alternatively, evidence can be emailed to bluebadge@warrington.gov.uk; don’t forget to include your application reference number.

Dependent on the criteria you have applied under, we may ask you to attend a face to face assessment with our eligibility assessor. If you are booked in for an assessment, please ensure you arrive promptly. If you arrive late, we may not be able to assess you and your assessment would be rearranged.

We’ll write to you to let you know if your application is approved or declined.

If we approve your application

Once a blue badge has been ordered, it will arrive in the post within 10 working days. You must use the blue badge properly; the badge and its concessions are for your use only.

Remember to make sure you put your badge, with the photo facing down, on your dashboard so it can be clearly seen from outside the car, and set the time on your clock where necessary. 

If you are travelling in the European Union, parking concessions for blue badge holders can vary in each country, check the latest government guidance.

If we decline your application

We’ll refund the £10 payment back to the card you paid with.

If you disagree with our decision, you can submit an appeal.  You must provide a detailed explanation as to why you want us to review the decision, including any additional evidence to give us further information. An appeal must be made within 28 days. You will need your original case reference number.

Appeal a decision for a Blue Badge

If you are unable to provide additional evidence or show that your difficulties have significantly changed since you applied, your appeal is unlikely to be successful.

Appeals are reviewed along with any additional evidence and you may be asked to attend an assessment with our senior eligibility assessor. We will advise you of the outcome; if the application remains unsuccessful we will write to you outlining our reasons. The decision following a review will be final.

If we approve your application, we’ll ask you to pay £10 to enable us to order your badge.

Replace a lost, stolen or damaged blue badge

If your Blue Badge is lost, stolen or damaged, you can apply for a replacement.

A Blue Badge costs £10. You’ll be asked to pay when you submit your application; please make sure you have a debit or credit card ready to make the payment. Card payments will appear on your bank statement as ‘WBC MV Internet’ followed by the amount paid.

Replace a Blue Badge

Cancel a blue badge

If a blue badge is no longer required, for example, the badge holder is no longer eligible or has passed away, please cancel the badge.

Cancel a Blue Badge

Blue badges that are cancelled or no longer required should be returned by post to:

Blue Badge Team, Warrington Borough Council, East Annexe, Town Hall, Sankey Street, Warrington WA1 1UH

Return an expired or found blue badge

Expired blue badges should be returned by post to:

Blue Badge Team, Warrington Borough Council, East Annexe, Town Hall, Sankey Street, Warrington WA1 1UH

Blue badge misuse

If you use an expired badge or misuse your badge you may receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) or other enforcement action. You could be fined up to £1,000, which is on top of any parking offences, fines or tickets.

Let us know if someone has a blue badge who shouldn’t have one, using someone else’s badge or they’re parking unlawfully or dangerously.

Tell us as much information as possible such as:

  • name
  • address
  • description of them
  • vehicle registration and describe the vehicle they’re using
  • where do they usually park and when

Other information

The Department for Transport (DfT) is responsible for the legislation that sets out the framework for the blue badge scheme. Local authorities are responsible for the day-to-day administration and enforcement of the scheme. We follow the guidance which applies to England. If you visit Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland the rules will be different and you will need to look at their guidelines.
It is the responsibility of each local authority to ensure that badges are only issued to residents who satisfy one or more of the eligibility criteria. Under no circumstances should anyone who does not satisfy at least one of the criteria receive a badge. Having a certain condition or disability does not automatically entitle somebody to a blue badge.

Problems applying?

If you have any problems applying email our team bluebadge@warrington.gov.uk so that we can help.