Blue Badge information
Overview
Warning: Non-affiliated websites charging assistance fees. Please be aware, non-affiliated websites charge fees for “assistance” with the Blue Badge application process, which can be done quite simply for no extra charge.
We would recommend you avoid using these sites and contact the Council if you have any queries.
The Blue Badge Scheme allows eligible disabled people, travelling either as drivers or passengers across the UK, to park in certain restricted areas. As long as the journey is being made for you and you are in the car with the badge, you can travel in any car.
Scotland’s Blue Badge Scheme has been permanently extended to allow people who pose a risk to themselves or others in traffic to get a badge, provided they meet eligibility criteria. Some people with a diagnosed mental health, cognitive or behavioural condition (this includes any mental health problem, personality disorder or learning disability, however caused or manifested, examples are dementia, autism or Down’s Syndrome) may lack awareness of danger from traffic, which is likely to compromise their safety or the safety of others as a result. It is these people who are covered by the extension.
Further information on the scheme can be obtained by visiting Transport Scotland.
Please note, Blue Badge holders can park free of charge in all East Dunbartonshire Council’s car parks, regardless of whether parked in a disabled bay or not. There is no need to obtain a ticket provided your badge is on show.
The Council administers the Blue Badge Scheme and is legally entitled to issue badges ONLY to those applicants who meet the criteria.
Apply for a blue badge
The best way to apply for a Blue Badge is via the online application form.
Eligibility Criteria – who can get a badge?
You will be automatically eligible for a Blue Badge if you are over two years old and meet the following criteria:
- You are registered severely sight impaired (blind)
- You receive the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (HRMC DLA)
- You receive the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and have been awarded at least 8 points in the “moving around” activity
- You receive the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment and have been awarded 12 points in the “planning and following journeys” activity
- You received a lifetime or indefinite HRMC DLA award immediately before being assessed for PIP
- You received a fixed term award of the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (HRMC DLA) immediately before being assessed for PIP, did not receive the Mobility Component of PIP at 8 points or more for “Moving Around” or 12 points for “Planning and Following Journeys” and have requested a mandatory reconsideration of that decision with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) within the last year
- You receive a War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement
- You have been awarded a lump sum benefit from the Armed Forces Compensation scheme. You have also been certified as having a permanent or substantial disability, which means you cannot walk or find walking difficult.
Please Note:
Attendance Allowance is not a qualifying benefit to be eligible for a blue badge under the main Blue Badge scheme.
- You are over the age of two and are unable to walk or virtually unable to walk because of a permanent and substantial disability
- You are over the age of two and are unable to walk, or virtually unable to walk because of a temporary but substantial disability which is likely to last for a period of at least 12 months but less than three years
- You regularly drive a car, have a severe disability in both arms and are unable to operate or have considerable difficulty in operating a parking meter
- You are applying on behalf of a child under three with a medical condition that requires transportation of bulky medical equipment at all times or that requires them to be close to a vehicle for emergency medical treatment.
If you are eligible under these criteria, we will look at the evidence of your disability to decide whether you can have a Blue Badge, and may ask you to have an independent mobility assessment, usually carried out by an occupational therapist or a physiotherapist who has not previously treated you. You will not be charged for the assessment.
You have a diagnosed mental disorder (a legal expression including conditions like dementia, autism and Down’s syndrome), lack awareness of danger from traffic and are likely to compromise your safety or the safety of others, and are in receipt of one of the benefits listed below:
- Higher rate or middle rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance
- Higher rate or lower rate of Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment with a total of at least 12 points in respect of
- Section 7 (communicating verbally)
- Section 8 (reading and understanding signs, symbols and words)
- section 9 (engaging with other people face-to-face)
- Personal Independence Payment with a total of at least 8 points in respect of
- Section 7 (communicating verbally)
- Section 8 (reading and understanding signs, symbols and words)
- Section 9 (engaging with other people face-to-face).
This part of the Blue Badge Scheme has a separate application form and process. If you are eligible under these criteria, you will be required to submit a letter confirming your diagnosis and your application will then be assessed
How to apply
The best way to apply for a Blue Badge is via the online application form.
If you are unable to apply online, you can:
- Download an application form from this page
- Make an appointment at one of our Community Hubs by calling 0300 123 4510
- Visit Community Hubs for interim arrangements in Bearsden and Milngavie while Bearsden Hub is closed and other information)
- Phone the Blue Badge Team on 0300 1234510 to request an application form.
Currently, there is no online application form for this type of blue badge.
To apply, you can:
- Download an application form from this page.
- Visit one of our Community Hubs to request an application form.
- Phone the Blue Badge Team on 0300 1234510 to request an application form.
Assistance and advice regarding completion of Blue Badge application forms is available at any of our Community Hubs or by contacting the Blue Badge Team on the above telephone number.
Whether you apply online, or by paper application, you will require to come along to one of our Community Hubs to submit your supporting documents and pay for the badge. Your application will not be processed until all supporting information and the payment have been provided.
There is an administration fee of £20 for each Blue Badge issued. The fee requires to be paid at the point of application and can be made as follows:-
- By debit card, credit card or cheque at any of our Community Hubs. There is no surcharge for credit card payments. Cheques should be made payable to East Dunbartonshire Council.
The charge applies to all Blue badges, including replacements. Please note that for security reasons your payment will be processed immediately upon receipt. If your application is not successful, the fee will be reimbursed to you.
The maximum period of issue for a Blue Badge is three years.
Temporary badges may be awarded if the applicant meets the eligibility criteria and their condition is likely to last for a period of at least twelve months, but less than 3 years.
Blue Badge holders are responsible for the security of their badges. All lost or stolen Blue Badges must be reported to the Police. Before we issue a replacement badge, the badge holder must submit a lost property slip, which will be provided by the Police, and pay the fee of £20 for a new Badge to the Council.
For stolen Blue Badges, the badge holder must provide a crime reference number and pay the fee as above.
If you have changed address since your Blue Badge was originally issued, you must also provide proof of your new address.