Blue badges

• are in receipt of Higher Rate of the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance
• are registered blind
• receive a War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement
• have been both awarded a lump sum benefit at tariffs 1-8 of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and certified as having a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking
• are in receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) under the 'Moving Around' category, have been awarded eight points or more, and your condition is likely to last for at least 12 months
• are in receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) under the 'Planning and Following a Journey' category, have been awarded 10 points for Descriptor E: Cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant.

Documentary evidence will be required.

Attendance Allowance is not an automatic qualification for a Blue Badge.

You may also qualify if you: 

• have an enduring and substantial disability which, during the course of a journey causes you to be unable to walk; experience very considerable difficulty whilst walking, which may include very considerable psychological distress; or be at risk of serious harm when walking; or pose, when walking, serious harm to any other person
• drive a vehicle regularly, have a severe disability in both arms, and are unable to operate, or have considerable difficulty in operating, all or some types of parking meter.

A parent of a child under the age of three years old may apply for a badge for their child if the child has a specific medical condition which means that they either:

• must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried around with the child without great difficulty or
• need to be kept near a motor vehicle at all times, so they can, if necessary, be treated for that condition in the vehicle or quickly driven to a place where they can be treated, such as a hospital.

An assessment by the council may be required if you do not automatically qualify for a badge. This usually takes place over the phone.

You can apply for a Blue Badge online at GOV.UK (opens new window).

If you are unable to apply online and have no family members or friends who can help you complete an online application please contact the Blue Badge team on 01225 713002 for further assistance.

We would advise you to apply to renew your badge 8-12 weeks before the expiry date. We are unable to process renewal applications more than 12 weeks in advance.

The Badge and its concessions can only be used by employees of the organisation for the purpose of transporting disabled people who would themselves be eligible for an individual Blue Badge.

Employees must never use the badge for their own benefit, or use it, for example, to carry out errands for the organisation. The Badge can only be displayed when disabled people in the care of the organisation are being transported.

It is the responsibility of the organisation to ensure its employees use the badge properly.

Apply online (opens new window)

The Blue Badge Scheme has been extended to include people with non-visible (hidden) disabilities when:

• an applicant scores 10 points for 'Planning and following a Journey' within descriptor E of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP): 'cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant'.

Applicants who do not receive 10 points for 'Planning and following a Journey' within descriptor E of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) may be eligible subject to further assessment, by completing an application form and providing supporting evidence of the condition from one or more of the following:

• Clinical Psychologist
• Educational Psychologist
• Gastroenterologist
• Neurologist
• Occupational Therapist
• Physiotherapist
• Psychiatrist
• Rheumatologist

Evidence from one of the above must indicate that you have an enduring and substantial disability which causes you, during the course of a journey, to:

• be unable to walk.
• experience very considerable difficulty whilst 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 person.

Apply online (opens new window)

If you require a reasonable adjustment or assistance to complete an application for a Blue Badge, please contact 01225 713002.

Once a Blue Badge application is approved, the Blue Badge will be produced by a central agency and posted directly to the badge holder's home address. The badge holder can expect to receive the Blue Badge approximately 10 working days after the application is approved.

A website that claims to help people with their application for a Blue Badge is not affiliated with any organisation or the council. This website charges for its service, whereas the true cost associated of applying for a Blue Badge direct with Wiltshire Council is £10.

We would like to warn all potential Blue Badge applicants that they do not need to use the service of this company or website to apply for a Blue Badge. Please avoid the use of this website and do not put your personal data or money at risk.

There is no right to the provision of a parking bay close to the home of a disabled person. The Disability Discrimination Act does not require the Highway Authority to make a parking bay provision for a disabled person, the decision to do so is discretionary. If a bay is granted it is only a discretionary bay and the disabled person does not have exclusive parking rights.

You can apply for a disabled bay through the Advice and Contact team.
Email: adviceandcontact@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window)
Call: 0300 456 0111

A Blue Badge may only be used when the badge holder is driving or being transported in the vehicle. It may not be used by a friend, relative or helper even when providing a service for the disabled badge holder such as shopping unless the badge holder is travelling with them.

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.

If your badge has been stolen

You must report it to the Police to obtain a Crime Reference Number. You can do this by calling 101, the non-emergency number for the police.

Contact the Blue Badge team to let us know and to provide us with the Crime Reference Number.
Email: bluebadge@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window)
Call: 01225 713002

If your badge has been lost

Contact the Blue Badge team. There is a £10 charge for a replacement badge.
Email: bluebadge@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window)
Call: 01225 713002

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 contact our Blue Badge team.

Email: bluebadge@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window)
Call: 01225 713002
Your call and any personal information your provide will be treated in confidence.

Your Blue Badge is valid for up to three years. However, it remains the property of your local authority and must be returned if:

• The badge holder dies (please quote the date of death and your relationship to the person when returning the badge).
• The badge has expired.
• You have received a replacement badge because your original was lost or stolen and you later find it.
• You no longer qualify for the badge because your condition improves.

Please return badges to:

Blue Badge Team
Customer Services
Wiltshire Council
County Hall
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN

Please contact us if any of the following details change:

• Change of address
• Change of contact information
• Change of name

Email bluebadge@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window)
Call: 01225 713002

Please take a look at the Department for Transport guidance: Blue Badge scheme: rights and responsibilities (opens new window)

Wiltshire Council will accept Blue Badges from all other countries. This means you can park using your badge in all Wiltshire Council owned car parks, and as detailed in the rights and responsibilities information: Blue Badge scheme: rights and responsibilities (opens new window).

This is a local policy and may not apply in other council areas. It is always best to check with the responsible council. This also does not apply to privately owned car parks in Wiltshire.

We advise you to check what concessions are available at your destination before travelling abroad.