Blue Badges

You will automatically be eligible for a Blue Badge if you satisfy one of the following requirements:

• You are registered blind (note - being registered as partially sighted does not count)
• You are in receipt of the Higher Rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
• You are in receipt of eight points or more under the “moving around” activity of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• You receive War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
• You have received a lump sum benefit  at tariffs 1-8 of the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces compensation scheme (AFCS) and have been assessed by the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) as having a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking. Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) awards are not included in the automatic eligibility criteria
• You regularly drive a vehicle and have a severe disability in both arms (note: only drivers with the most severe disabilities in both their arms will be eligible under this criterion.  It will not apply to people who, for example, have difficulty carrying parcels or shopping)

If none of these apply to you, then you will be processed and assessed on an individual basis.

If applying under a benefit which is time limited and less than three years, then Blue Badges will only be valid until the end date of that benefit.

Changes to eligibility criteria in 2019

The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced changes to the eligibility criteria for Blue Badges, which are expected to come into effect during 2019.  We are still awaiting the updated criteria and any applications will be assessed according to existing guidelines.

Detailed information on eligiblilty for a Blue Badge is available at GOV.uk.

The most common reasons why an application is delayed are:

• Not providing your PIP moving around score. If you are receiving PIP (Personal Independence Payment) you need to send your full award letter including the points awarded for moving around.  If you do not have the moving around points score we cannot issue your Blue Badge. If you need to obtain a copy of your award letter please call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on 0800 121 4433.
• Sending original documents in the post.  Please send copies of documents.  Sending originals may not be secure and creates extra administration.

Other reasons an application may be delayed include:

• Submitting incomplete forms.  We may be unable to determine your eligibility and will need to return your application.  Even if you have previously held a Blue Badge, all applications must be completed as thoroughly as possible.
• Missing or incomplete supporting documentation.  We need a photograph, proof of identity and proof of address in all cases.  If applicable, we also require supporting medical information or proof of entitlement to benefits.
• Attendance Allowance.  This is not a qualifying benefit for a Blue Badge.  If you are in receipt of Attendance Allowance rather than DLA or PIP you will need to complete a full application.

If you are a permanent resident of Norfolk then you can apply for a Blue Badge online.  You can use the computers provided free of charge at your local library.

Apply online

If your online application is successful, we will send you a declaration to sign and return, along with the following documentation:

• Photocopy of my proof of identity (an in date passport, valid driving licence, birth certificate)
• Photocopy of my proof of address (Council Tax bill, valid driving licence, benefit letter from DWP)
• Passport-standard photograph of the applicant with their full name and date of birth on the back.
• You will also need to pay the £10 fee.  There are different ways you can pay - please see the 'Cost and payment' section below.

You will also need to include copies of any relevant documents, for example, proof of the receipt of the Mobility Component at the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance (the evidence must be less than 12 months old and for the current period), or evidence of you being registered as blind.  For example:

• Photocopies of my benefit award letter showing a breakdown of my entitlement (if applicable)
• Photocopied documentation or letters about my condition/disability from medical specialists to support my application.
• Photocopy of my insurance details if I drive a specially adapted vehicle (If applicable).

Documents can be uploaded using the Blue Badge self service system or emailed to bluebadgeunit@norfolk.gov.uk.

Or you can send your form and copied documents to: 

Customer Service Centre/Blue Badge
Norfolk County Council
County Hall
Martineau Lane
Norwich
Norfolk
NR1 2DH 

If you are unable for any reason to get a passport-style photograph from a photo booth, then we can also accept a photo emailed to bluebadgeunit@norfolk.gov.uk, or any recent photograph that you would be happy for us to use, although these must be passport-style size.

Ensure you send copies of documents.  Do not send original documents, particularly passports and birth certificates.  We can accept clear digital photographs of documents instead of photocopies.  You can photocopy documents at your local library or Post Office.

If we need further information to help us make a decision about your eligibility you may be asked to provide further evidence or attend for an Independent Medical Assessment.

Download our Blue Badge paper application form:

• Form for applicants over three years old 
• Form for applicants under three years old (read guidance notes)
• Form for applicants from organisations involved with the care of disabled people (read guidance notes)

If you would like us to send you an application form please call our Customer Service Centre on 0344 800 8020 or email us at information@norfolk.gov.uk.

• Photocopy of my proof of identity (an in date passport, valid driving licence, birth certificate)
• Photocopy of my proof of address (Council Tax bill, valid driving licence, benefit letter from DWP)
• Passport-standard photograph of the applicant with their full name and date of birth on the back.
• You will also need to pay the £10 fee.  There are different ways you can pay - please see the 'Cost and payment' section below.

You will also need to include copies of any relevant documents, for example, proof of the receipt of the Mobility Component at the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance (the evidence must be less than 12 months old and for the current period), or evidence of you being registered as blind.  For example:

• Photocopies of my benefit award letter showing a breakdown of my entitlement (if applicable)
• Photocopied documentation or letters about my condition/disability from medical specialists to support my application.
• Photocopy of my insurance details if I drive a specially adapted vehicle (If applicable).

Please send your form and copied documents to: 

Customer Service Centre/Blue Badge
Norfolk County Council
County Hall
Martineau Lane
Norwich
Norfolk
NR1 2DH 

If you are unable for any reason to get a passport-style photograph from a photo booth, then we can also accept a photo emailed to bluebadgeunit@norfolk.gov.uk, or any recent photograph that you would be happy for us to use, although these must be passport-style size.

Ensure you send copies of documents.  Do not send original documents, particularly passports and birth certificates.  We can accept clear digital photographs of documents instead of photocopies.  You can photocopy documents at your local library or Post Office.

If we need further information to help us make a decision about your eligibility you may be asked to provide further evidence or attend for an Independent Medical Assessment.

A Blue Badge costs £10.

Payment will only be taken for successful applications.

We do not accept cash as payment.  Payment can be made:

• Online by debit or credit card via the Blue Badge Self Service system.  Note you will require your application reference number for this system.*
• By calling our Customer Service Centre on 0344 800 8020
• By cheque (made payable to Norfolk County Council - please write your application reference number on the reverse) and send to:

Customer Service Centre/Blue Badge
Norfolk County Council
County Hall
Martineau Lane
Norwich
Norfolk
NR1 2DH

*If you have applied through the central government's website GOV.uk instead of using our form, you may not have received a reference number yet to use on the self-service system.  If so, you can email your documents as attachments to bluebadgeunit@norfolk.gov.uk instead.  Then we will send you your reference number and guidance on how to make a payment if you still need to do so.  Please make sure individual attachments do not exceed 4MB.

Blue Badges can not be renewed, instead you have to make a new application.

Please keep an eye on the expiry date of your Blue Badge, we do not send reminders when they are close to expiring. Applications can take six to eight weeks to process, so we suggest you apply for a new badge in advance of this to ensure your application is processed in time. Eligible applicants' badges will be sent out around two weeks before the expiry of their current Blue Badge.

Please make sure you complete all sections of the form thoroughly as the assessor may not have access to your previous information.

The timescale for issuing Blue Badges is six to eight weeks from receipt of application.

Please note that if you are renewing your Blue Badge the new badge will not be sent to you more than two weeks before the expiry date of your current badge.  We recommend you apply for a new badge 12 weeks before your existing one expires.

We can only fast track blue badge applications where the applicant is terminally ill.

Please note if you do not return any documents requested within four weeks of the communication requesting them, your application will be cancelled and any payments made will not be refunded.

A Blue Badge is issued for a specific person, meaning it can be used in any vehicle you are travelling in.

This means you do not need multiple Blue Badges if you use multiple vehicles.

For details of where and how your badge should be used read Your Rights and Responsibilities.

Complete the declaration form and return it to us at the address below.

Download declaration form (pdf)

If your current badge has less than six weeks left before its expiry date, you should apply for a new blue badge, rather than a replacement.

If the badge is found after you have declared it lost or stolen, it can no longer be used and should be returned to:

Customer Service Centre/Blue Badge
Norfolk County Council
County Hall
Martineau Lane
Norwich
Norfolk
NR1 2DH

You can continue to use your Blue Badge whilst it remains valid.

You should notify us of your new address as soon as possible so we can update our records.

Change of Address Notification

If you are getting married/separated/divorced or need to change your name on the Blue Badge for any other reason you need to send a written request asking for a replacement badge with your new name on it.

We also require a copy of your marriage certificate or deed poll document as evidence of the change to:

Customer Service Centre/Blue Badge
Norfolk County Council
County Hall
Martineau Lane
Norwich
Norfolk
NR1 2DH

Replacement badges cost £10 as a new badge will need to be printed.

The replacement will only last for the remaining time as the original badge.

When a Blue Badge holder dies, their badge can no longer be used, and must be returned to us.

Whoever is dealing with the practical matters of winding up the estate should contact us to advise us of the date of death.

• Information about registering a death

The badge should be returned to us with a covering letter to:

Customer Service Centre/Blue Badge
Norfolk County Council
County Hall
Martineau Lane
Norwich
Norfolk
NR1 2DH

Blue Badges should be returned if:

• The badge expires
• The badge holder is no longer eligible or, in the case of an organisational badge, the organisation no longer exists or is no longer eligible
• It is a replacement badge for one that is lost or stolen and the original is found/recovered (in this case the original badge should be returned so that it can be securely destroyed)
• The badge is so damaged/faded that the details on it are illegible or it cannot be identified correctly or distinguished from a forgery
• The badge is no longer required by the holder (eg where they have become confined to the house) or another badge is inadvertently issued to the holder by another issuing authority
• The badge holder dies

Return badges to:

Customer Service Centre/Blue Badge
Norfolk County Council
County Hall
Martineau Lane
Norwich
Norfolk
NR1 2DH

• Locations of disabled parking bays in Norwich

Blue Badges are recognised in all European Union countries, although the manner in which they can be used differs according to local laws.

• Further details about using your Blue Badge abroad

Disabled visitors from abroad can use their disabled parking badge in Norfolk as issued under their own national scheme.

Where the national scheme does not include a parking disc (time clock) as required in England and Wales for parking on yellow lines, the Department for Transport suggests that, when parking in areas that would normally require a parking disc, the disabled badge holder should simply write the time of arrival on a piece of card and display it prominently on the dashboard or facia panel of the vehicle.

It is the responsibility of the holder of a Blue Badge to ensure that it is used in accordance with the conditions stated on the badge and explained in the guidelines, Your Rights and Responsibilities.  We investigate any reports of misuse and fraud, and a list of recent Blue Badge enforcements brought against persons committing criminal offences is available.