The Blue Badge
The design and colour are standard across the European Union, the aim being to improve mobility opportunities for disabled people, particularly for those travelling between member states.
The adoption of a standard style of badge improves mutual acceptance, as the Authorities in each member state need to recognise only the one type. Badge holders should be able to use parking facilities for disabled people throughout the EU without the fear that their badge might be regarded as invalid.
The Orange Badges are no longer recognised.
How to obtain a Blue Badge
Badges can be issued only to certain categories of disabled people, and the eligibility is very strict. You will be entitled to a Blue Badge if you are:
- In receipt of the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance.
- A user of a motor vehicle supplied for disabled people by a Government Health Department.
- Registered blind under Section 29 of the National Assistance Act 1948.
- In receipt of War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement.
- Suffering from a severe disability in both upper limbs, regularly drive a motor vehicle but cannot turn the steering wheel by hand even if fitted with a turning knob.
- Suffering from a permanent and substantial disability that causes you to be unable to walk, or you have considerable difficulty in walking.
DOCUMENTARY PROOF is required for applications under 1, 2, or 4, above.
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You can apply for a blue badge for a child under the age of 2 who must, on account of their condition, always be accompanied by bulky equipment or who must be kept near a motor vehicle to receive treatment or be taken to a place to receive treatment.
If you consider that you may qualify for a Blue Badge, you will need to complete an application form and provide two recent passport size photographs (and £2 in the Doncaster Area). Forms can be obtained from the Neighbourhood, Communities and Childrens Service's Department of Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council at one of the addresses below:
P.O. Box 251
The Council House
(Town Square Entrance)
College Road
Doncaster
DN1 3DA
Tel: 01302 737 999
Bentley Office
Cooke Street
Bentley
Doncaster
DN5 0DB
Telephone & Textphone: 01302 735 465
Mexborough Office
The Council Offices
1 Main Street
Mexborough
S64 9LU
Tel: 01302 735 700
Textphone: 01302 735 730
Thorne Office
Vermuyden Centre
Fieldside
Thorne
Doncaster
DN8 4BQ
Tel: 01302 735 979
Textphone: 01302 735 979
Badges and Discs
The Blue Badge is a two sided card with your photograph on the back. In addition, you will need a special Parking Disc, available from the Social Services Department, for use when you park on any yellow lines or in a reserved parking place for badge holders which has a time limit.
Note that the Blue Badge and the Parking Disc must be displayed where appropriate.
The Badge must be displayed in the vehicle with the front of the badge facing forward so that the expiry date is legible from outside the vehicle when utilising the parking benefits. Badges last for three years only and application for reassessment should be made some weeks before the badge expires. You must return the badge to the Council if you no longer need it.
You will have a responsibility to ensure that the badge is used properly, that it is not used by other people, and that the details on the badge remain legible (if illegible it will need to be re-issued). Misuse of a Blue Badge is a serious offence and can lead to withdrawal of the Badge or the commission of a criminal offence, liable to a hefty fine.
Parking Benefits
Badge Holders may, in general, park free of charge and without time limit at parking meters on-street and "pay-and-display" on-street parking. They may be exempt from limits on parking times imposed on other users and may usually park on single or double yellow lines (for up to 3 hours in England and Wales) except where there is a ban on loading or unloading.
Subject to restrictions noted below, car parking is FREE and unlimited in Council run Car Parks and Hospital Car Parks. Badge holders are exempt from tolls at certain river crossings, and are now able to take advantage of the applicable disabled motorists parking privileges wherever they are in the EU.
Restrictions
The Scheme does not apply:
- on private roads.
- except as noted below, in off-street car parks.
- in certain town centres.
- in central London.
- on road systems at some airports.
You must NOT park, for instance
- during the time a ban on loading and unloading is in force.
- where there are double white lines in the centre of the road.
- in a bus, tram or cycle lane.
- on any clearway.
- on pedestrian crossings or their zig-zag markings.
- where it would be obstructive or cause danger to others.
Off Street Parking in Doncaster
Subject to correct display of a valid badge, parking for disabled motorists is available as follows:
Frenchgate Rooftop
20 designated disabled bays, no time limit, FREE. Usual charges and time limits apply in all other bays.
Frenchgate Multi-storey
48 designated disabled bays.
PLEASE NOTE! This Car Park is NOT Council run and charges apply to all bays including designated Disabled Bays.
Waterdale Central
22 designated disabled bays, no time limit, FREE. Usual charges and time limits apply in all other bays.
Waterdale Surface Pay and Display (near Ward Bros.)
3 designated disabled bays, no time limit, FREE. Usual charges and time limits apply in all other bays.
Markets Car Park
22 designated disabled bays, no time limit, FREE. Usual charges and time limits apply in all other bays.
Southern Multi-Storey
33 designated disabled bays, no time limit, FREE. Usual charges and time limits apply in all other bays.
From August 2006 all designated disabled bays will be situated on the ground floor of the old Southern Bus Station. The number of designated disabled bays will be increased to 40.
Other Off-Street Car Parks
Badge holders must pay and obey the restrictions imposed by the Traffic Order.
BLUE BADGE Application Packs, Leaflets and Other Information Can Be Obtained from DIAL Doncaster.
How and where to use the European Parking Card for people with Disabilities can be obtained from:
DIAL Doncaster.
If you are unable to use a standard photo booth we can take your BLUE BADGE or Passport photograph here at DIAL Doncaster at a small charge of £3.00.
Please ring for an appointment.
DIAL Disclaimer
Whilst all the information given in this fact sheet was correct at the time of going to press,
DIAL Doncaster cannot be held responsible for any subsequent changes.
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