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The Blue Badge Scheme provides an arrangement of on-street parking concessions enabling disabled people who travel as a driver, or a passenger, to park close to their destination.
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 automatically be entitled to a Blue Badge if you are:
- In receipt of the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance.
- Registered blind (severely sight impaired).
- In receipt of War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement.
- You receive a lump sum benefit under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) Order 2011 (d) within tariff levels 1 to 8 (inclusive) and have been certified by the Secretary of State as having a permanent or substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.
DOCUMENTARY PROOF is required for applications under the above.
You may also qualify for a badge if:
- You have a severe disability in both arms, regularly drive a motor vehicle and are unable to operate all or some types of parking meters (or would have difficulty in operating them).
- You are affected by a permanent and substantial disability that causes you to be unable to walk, or you have considerable difficulty in walking.
You can apply for a blue badge for a child under the age of 3 who must, on account of their condition, always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment (e.g. ventilators, suction machines, oxygen equipment) or who must be kept near a motor vehicle to receive treatment or be taken to a place to receive treatment. Badges for Organisations
Organisations that care for and transport disabled people who would meet one or more of the above criteria themselves may also be eligible for a blue badge. Please note that this is entirely at the discretion of the Local Authority issuing the badge. The organisation that qualifies must follow the conditions set out for use of the badge.
Applications
If you consider that you may qualify for a blue badge, you will need to complete an application form. The application form comes with guidance notes to help you through the application process. You must provide a recent passport size photograph. The standard of the photograph must be the same as those used for passports and driving licenses and be a true likeness of you. You are also required to provide proof of your identity and address. Proof of identity will be in the form of a certified photocopy of one of the following: your birth/adoption certificate, your marriage/divorce certificate, a valid driving licence or passport. The photocopy must be verified as true by a professional or a person who holds a certain position of responsibility, e.g. A police officer, civil servant, social worker, who lives in the UK and has known you for at least two years. Proof of address will be in the form of an original Council Tax Bill bearing your name and address or, there is a box in section 1 where you can give your consent to the Local Authority to access records to confirm your address e.g. Electoral Role or Council Tax records.
There is an issue fee for the blue badge, see the application form for further details about the current fee and payment. Forms can be obtained from Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council. Forms should be returned to: Colonnades House, Duke Street, Doncaster, DN1 1ER.For more information contact your local social care department, contact details are listed below:
P.O. Box 251 (South Team)
Tel: 01302 737 711
Bentley Office (North Team)
Tel: 01302 735 465
Textphone: 01302 735 465
Edlington Office (West Team)
Tel: 01302 736 459
Textphone: 01302 736 460
Thorne Office (East Team)
Tel: 01302 735 979
Textphone: 01302 735 979
Concorde House (Urban Team)
Tel: 01302 737794
From January 2012 you can apply for a blue badge on-line at the direct.gov website: www.direct.gov.uk.
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 Clock, this will be supplied with your badge, 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 Clock must be displayed where appropriate.
The Badge must be displayed in the vehicle on the dashboard with the front of the badge facing upwards displaying the wheelchair symbol, so that the expiry date is legible from outside the vehicle when utilising the parking benefits. If you do not display the badge correctly you could be liable for a parking fine. Badges last for three years only and application for reassessment should be made at least a month before the badge expires. You must not use the badge if it is out of date. 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 BenefitsBadge Holders may, in general, park free of charge and without time limit at 'on-street' parking meters and 'pay-and-display' machines. 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
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during the time a ban on loading and unloading is in force.
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where there are double white lines in the centre of the road.
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in a bus, tram or cycle lane.
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on any clearway.
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on pedestrian crossings or their zig-zag markings.
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on a bus stop.
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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 Multi-storey including Frenchgate Rooftop (Shoppers)
69 designated disabled bays.
Frenchgate Multi-storey (Rail Users)
10 designated disabled bays.
(PLEASE NOTE! These Car Parks are NOT Council run and charges apply to all bays including designated Disabled Bays.)
Markets Car Park
22 designated disabled bays, no time limit, FREE. Usual charges and time limits apply in all other bays.
Waterdale Multi-Storey, off College Road
34 designated disabled bays located on all floors, no time limit, FREE. Usual charges and time limits apply in all other bays. Chapell Drive
There are no designated bays but disabled people can use this car park, no time limit, FREE, but must display a valid blue badge.
Other Off-Street Car Parks
Badge holders must pay and obey the restrictions imposed by the Traffic Order.
Blue Badge Identity Photographs/HoldersIf you are unable to use a standard photo booth we can provide personal photographs. Please ring for an appointment. We also sell leather and suede Blue Badge Holders, they come in a various colours, at a reasonable price. Please contact our office for further information.
Renewal Process
Your Blue Badge will have an expiry date on it. You should begin the renewal process at least one month in advance of this date. To re-apply for the badge you are still required to go through the same application process as previously explained.
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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