Warning: Fraudsters are targeting Blue Badge holders in H&F. Our parking team will never ask drivers to supply their Blue Badge number to park, or any other personal/financial details. If you are approached, please contact the police on 111 and report it. In an emergency, always dial 999.
The Blue Badge helps people with significant walking difficulties to park close to places they wish to visit.
The badge is personal to you and can be used in any vehicle in which you travel either as a driver or a passenger.
Where can I park with a Blue Badge?
Blue Badge holders can park:
- in any shared use parking space which are spaces for the use of both residents and 'Pay and Display'
- on single or double yellow lines (for up to three hours, except where there is a ban on loading or unloading)
- in a Blue Badge parking bay (as long as it is not individually numbered).
Please remember, you must display both your badge and clock to park on yellow lines or in a disabled parking bay.
Where can't I park
Blue Badge holders can't park:
- where there are loading restrictions - these are shown by yellow markings on the kerb and signs nearby will tell you when the restriction applies
- across a dropped kerb - these are used by prams, wheelchairs and other pedestrians and blocking them can cause serious difficulties to people when they try to cross the road
- in front of a crossover - this is an access crossing for vehicles to drive off the road onto private land
- in a bay marked for other special users - for example a doctor's bay, market trader's bay, motorcycle bay or 'goods-vehicle-only' bay
- electric vehicle parking bays - these are specialised bays for the charging of electric vehicles only
- in a disabled bay designated for use by specific people - these bays are individually numbered and Blue Badges are not valid in these bays
- Macfarlane Road and Hopgood Street - parking in Macfarlane Road and Hopgood Street in zone G is restricted to permit holders only.
Blue Badge holders who want to park in the permit holder only bays in Macfarlane Road and Hopgood Street must have a valid zone G visitor permit. You don't have to make a payment for this – just activate a visitor permit session and display the Blue Badge.
Visit our visitor permit webpage
Misuse of Blue Badges
To stop people misusing Blue Badges, we issue parking tickets to vehicles parked incorrectly or appearing to break the rules. In some circumstances, we may need to move vehicles to our car pound. Where we believe there is clear evidence of a Blue Badge being misused, we may also prosecute the person believed to have misused the badge.
If you receive a parking ticket while displaying a Blue Badge, you have the same rights to challenge it as any other motorist.
If you see anyone who you believe is fraudulently using a Blue badge, contact the Blue Badge fraud team by email to bluebadges@lbhf.gov.uk.
Who can get a Blue Badge?
You are automatically entitled to a badge if you:
- are registered severely sight impaired (blind)
- get the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Mobility Component and score of 8 points or more for the 'Moving Around' activity of the mobility component
- get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Mobility Component and score of 10 points specifically for descriptor E which states you 'cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant'
- get War Pensioners Mobility Supplement
- have received a lump sum benefit from the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme (tariffs 1-8) and have certification of having a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty walking.
See Documentary evidence required for a Blue Badge application for more details.
You may also qualify for a badge if you have an enduring and substantial disability that 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, serious harm to any other person.
People with a severe disability in both arms (drivers only)
People with a severe disability in both arms can apply for a Blue Badge if they:
- drive a vehicle regularly
- are unable to operate all or some types of parking meters.
Children under 3 years
Under special circumstances, applications may be made for children 0 to 3 years old if they suffer a condition that either requires the transportation of bulky medical equipment at all times or the possibility of immediate transportation for emergency treatment.
If you do not meet one of the automatic criteria, but you have a permanent and substantial disability that makes walking difficult, we will need to assess your eligibility. This may take longer to process and you may be asked to attend a mobility assessment with a qualified occupational therapist.
We don't issue Blue Badges for people with temporary conditions, such as broken legs or hip replacements, unless there are other substantial mobility issues.
Only one badge can be issued per person for their personal use in whichever vehicle they travel.
In certain circumstances, if you can't sign the application yourself, we need your photograph and details, but someone else can sign the application on your behalf. We will ask this person for proof they have the power to do this, for example proof of power of attorney.
Applying for a Blue Badge
Apply online
The quickest and easiest way to submit your application is online via the GOV.UK website.
You will have the option to upload your documents and a photograph as you progress your application.
This is a new version of the online form and GOV.UK are inviting you to tell them what you think of it. We encourage you to do this, your feedback will help them improve the form. You will see the feedback link when you go to the form.
You will need to provide:
- Proof of address
- Proof of ID
- Proof of eligibility (where required)
- A recent passport style photograph
See Documentary evidence required for a Blue Badge application for more details
If you can't upload your documents or photograph, don't worry. You can send them to us:
- by email bluebadges@lbhf.gov.uk or
- by post to: H&F Direct, Pay and Park (AT), PO Box 60820, London W6 9UZ
Application form in other formats
If you would like an application form in large print or Braille, please call 020 8753 6681
How long will it take to process my application?
Blue badge applications can take up to 12 weeks to process. Applicants who are automatically eligible may receive a response much quicker.
Please help us to progress your application quickly by including any relevant evidence, completing your application fully and providing a valid contact telephone number and/or email address.
How much does it cost?
New, renewed and replaced badges cost £10. This charge covers administration, production and postage. You will need to pay before we order your badge. We will contact you to request payment. Once we receive your payment, we will arrange for your Blue Badge to be posted directly to your address. It can take up to two weeks to receive your badge.
Renewing a Blue Badge
You will need to renew your Blue Badge when your old one expires. You should reapply online or contact our office to request an application form 4-6 weeks before your badge expires. To prevent misuse, we do not automatically send a new one to you.
To renew your badge you will need to make a new application. You must reapply each time that a new badge is issued to you unless your badge is lost or stolen. You will also need to supply the required supporting evidence, including residency and identity proofs.
If you have not qualified under the automatic criteria, reissue of the badge is not guaranteed.
Displaying your badge
You must display your parking badge and clock clearly on your dashboard, not overlapping each other. The badge must have the wheelchair symbol facing up. Don't display the side with your photograph and personal details. You could get a parking fine if you don't display your Blue Badge correctly.
You should keep your badge safe and only display it when you need to use it for parking. Leaving the badge displayed makes the writing fade which could lead to a fine, and is an open invitation to thieves. If your badge fades, or is damaged, please tell us so we can replace it.
Lost or stolen badges
Please tell us if your badge has been lost or stolen. If your badge has been stolen you should also contact the police. They will give you a crime number which you should give us and we will replace your badge.
Replacement Blue Badge requests are dealt with as a priority. You should receive your replacement Blue Badge in 7 to 10 working days, if your request is complete and valid.
What you need to do to replace your Blue Badge
You'll need the following information:
- your personal details
- your National Insurance number, if you have one
- the existing badge number, if you know it.
- If the badge has been stolen you will also need a crime reference number. This number can be obtained by contacting your local police on 101.
The quickest and easiest way to submit your request is online via the government's website
Once we receive your request we will contact you to obtain the £10 fee and then order your new badge.
If you can't report it online don't worry, you can call us on 020 8753 6681 for further information and a lost or stolen declaration form.
Finding your badge
If you find your Blue Badge after applying for a replacement, you must let us know immediately by calling 020 8753 6681
Damaged badges
If the Blue Badge has been damaged, you must return the damaged badge. Please call us on 020 8753 6681 for further information.
Want to know more or need help?
- GOV.UK has more information about Blue Badge parking
- Contact the accessible transport team about Blue Badges, the Taxicard scheme and freedom passes
- Disabled parking bays - information about general or personalised disabled bays
- Blue Badge privacy notice