The Blue Badge Scheme
The Blue Badge scheme provides a range of parking concessions for people with severe mobility problems who have difficulty using public transport. The scheme operates throughout the UK.
The concessions apply to on-street parking and include free use of parking meters and pay-and-display bays. Badge holders may also be exempt from limits on parking times imposed on others and can park for up to three hours on single and double yellow lines as long as they are not causing an obstruction (except where there is a ban on loading or unloading or other restrictions).
Do you qualify?
You are automatically eligible to apply for a badge if you are over two years old and either:
- Receive the Higher Rate of the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance
- Are registered blind
- Receive a War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement
You may also be eligible for a badge if you are over two years old and either:
- Have a permanent and sustainable disability which means you cannot walk, or which makes walking very difficult
- Drive a motor vehicle regularly, have a severe disability in both arms, and are unable to operate all or some types of parking meter (or would find it very difficult to operate them)
- If you are a parent of a child who is less than two years old, you may apply for a badge for your child if they have a specific medical condition which means that they either:
1. must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried around without great difficulty
2. 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
Where the scheme applies
The badges - sometimes known as disabled parking permits - can be used throughout the UK, while travelling abroad within the European Union (EU) and in some other European and non-European countries.
The Blue Badge scheme does not apply to off-street car parks, private roads or at most airports.
Apply for a Blue Badge parking permit
Your local council is responsible for issuing Blue Badge parking permits - contact them for more information:
Leicester City Council
Customer Service Centre
Leicester City Council
B Block
New Walk Centre
Welford Place
Leicester LE1 6ZG
Telephone: 0116 252 7000
Email: customer.services@leicester.gov.uk
Opening Times: 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Thursday
8.30am - 4.30pm, Thursday to Friday
Leicestershire County Council
Customer Service Centre
Passenger Transport Unit
Leicestershire County Council
County Hall
Glenfield
Leicester
LE3 8ST
Email: customerservices@leics.gov.uk
Phone: 0116 305 0001
Fax: 0116 305 0006
Minicom: 0116 305 0007
While You Wait Service
Leicester City Council has launched a new while-you-wait service at the Brite Centre, New Walk Centre and New Parks and Saffron Lane customer service centres. Application forms will be processed and, in most cases, Blue Badges issued on the spot.
