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 by the badge holder in any vehicle, either as a driver or passenger.

Local authorities administer the scheme on behalf of the Department for Transport; all our blue badge applications are online and enable the Blue Badge team to process in line with Department for Transport rules & guidance.

How to apply for or renew a blue badge

If you need assistance to apply for a blue badge, a family member, friend or other representative may be able to apply on your behalf.

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.

Please read the guidance in the steps below before starting your application. 

Step 1 - check if you're eligible

See if you meet the eligibility criteria on GOV.UK

If you are applying to renew a blue badge, 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.

If you are applying on behalf of an organisation, you must provide evidence showing there is a clear need for an organisational badge rather than using the individual badges of the people you are caring for and transporting. Unless there is a clear need, your application will be declined, and you will be asked to submit individual applications for the people you support.

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 application cannot be processed without a photograph, the only exemptions are for those who are applying because they are in receipt of an SR1 form and photographs are optional.
• 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 / civil partnership / dissolution or divorce certificate; or deed poll certificate
• Proof of relevant medical evidence or qualifying disability benefits:
  • Medical evidence - please provide supporting evidence which explains the difficulties you have during the course of a journey. Your difficulty whilst walking could potentially be caused by a physical disability, or by a ‘non-physical’ disability. In either case, your disability must endure for at least the next 3 years.
  • 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.

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. If you are unable to provide the supporting information we ask for, we may not be able to assess your application, and it may be declined.

We open and start to assess applications in date order, and they can take up to 12 weeks to complete as long as you have provided sufficient evidence to support your application and you may need to attend an assessment with our eligibility assessor.

We’ll check your eligibility and contact you if we need anything else to support your application; you may be asked for additional evidence.

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 which will delay your application. If you can’t make it, please tell us immediately so we can offer the appointment to someone else who is also waiting to be assessed. The council have to pay for your assessment, including if you have cancelled too late or not turned up.

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

Blue badge misuse

If you use an expired blue 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?

All of our blue badge applications are online, we cannot provide a decision about eligibility or issue a Blue Badge without a completed application. We can accept evidence separately once you’ve submitted your application and can provide your application reference number.

If you have any problems when completing the application or you need assistance to apply, please email our team bluebadge@warrington.gov.uk so we can provide further advice to you.