Blue Badge Guidance

How the Blue Badge Scheme works 

A Blue Badge will help you to park close to your destination, either as a passenger or driver.

The badge is intended for on-street parking only.

Off-street car parks, such as those provided by shopping centres, hospitals or supermarkets are covered by separate rules.

Who can use the badge

The badge is for your use and benefit only.

It must only be displayed if you are travelling in the vehicle as a driver or passenger, or if someone is collecting you or dropping you off and needs to park at the place where you are being collected or dropped.

How to display the badge

You must display the badge on the dashboard or facia panel, where it can be clearly read through the front windscreen. If there is no dashboard or facia panel in your vehicle, you must display the badge in a place where it can be clearly read from outside the vehicle. The front of the badge should face upwards, showing the hologram. 

When you need to use the parking clock

When you park on yellow lines or in other places where there is a time restriction, you need to display the blue parking clock to show your time of arrival. The clock should be sent to you together with the Blue Badge. If a clock is missing or you misplace the clock, you can contact us to request a replacement free of charge.

When you need to use the parking clock, you must display it on the vehicle’s dashboard or facia panel, so that the time can be seen clearly through the front windscreen. The clock should be set to show the quarter hour period during which you arrived. 

Where can I park using my blue badge

Eligible Blue Badge holders, carrying and displaying a valid badge correctly, may park in the following places: 

On yellow Lines

Badge holders may park on single or double yellow lines for up to 3 hours, but not where there are restrictions on loading or unloading – indicated by yellow kerb dashes and / or signs on plates. 

‘On-street’ parking meters and pay-and-display machines

Badge holders may park for free and for as long as they need to.‘On-street’ disabled parking bays – signs have a blue wheelchair symbol

You may park for free. Unless signs say otherwise, you may park without time limit. 

Please note: You must always check signs to see what the rules are when parking.

Places where you cannot park

The Blue Badge is not a licence to park anywhere. Here is a list of places where you must not park.

• Places where a ban on loading or unloading is in force, as indicated above by kerb markings
• Parking places reserved for specific users such as resident’s bays or loading bays. 
• Pedestrian crossings (zebra, pelican, toucan and puffin crossings), including areas marked by zig-zag lines.
• Clearways (no stopping).
• A bus stop clearway during its hours of operation.
• An urban clearway within its hours of operation. You may pick up or drop off passengers. All parking is forbidden.
• School ‘keep clear’ markings during the hours shown on a yellow no-stopping plate.
• Bus, tram or cycle lanes or cycle tracks. Badge holders are not entitled to drive in bus lanes during their hours of operation.
• Where there are double white lines in the centre of the road, even if one of the lines is broken.
• Suspended meter bays or when use of the meter is not allowed.
• Where temporary parking restrictions are in force, as shown for example by no-waiting cones.

For further details please see the rights and responsibilities in England leaflet on the GOV.UK website.

Using your blue badge abroad

 You can use your UK Blue Badge when travelling in some EU countries, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Please check this before travelling.

Check which countries accept a UK Blue Badge. 

 Rest of the world

There are no current arrangements for you to use the badge outside the European Union, in countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, although they may be prepared to recognise the Blue Badge. We advise you to check what concessions are available before travelling to non-EU countries.

Returning the badge

You must return the badge to us if:

• the badge has expired
• your medical condition or mobility improves and you are no longer eligible
• a replacement badge has been issued for one that is lost or stolen and the original is found / recovered - then the original badge must be returned
• the badge becomes damaged or faded and is illegible
• the badge is no longer required, for example should you be confined to the house

Please also note that the badge should be returned to us on the death of the badge holder.

Please return badges that are no longer required to:

Badge cost

Fee

A Blue Badge costs £10. This fee is to cover the cost of the badge being produced.

Refund policy

If an application is unsuccessful the £10 fee will be refunded. Refunds cannot be given after the badge has been created.

How to update personal details

If something changes, such as: 

• you change address
• your name changes (for example by marriage, civil partnership, deed poll)

Please let us know by either emailing the team or writing to us. Please also provide proof of this change. 

Email: blue.badges@staffordshire.gov.uk

Or write to us at –

Moving to Staffordshire with a existing Blue Badge

If you already have a Blue Badge and move to permanently reside within the Staffordshire area, you can continue to use your existing Blue Badge until the expiry date stated. You will need to contact the authority that issued the badge and also Staffordshire County Council to provide an address update. Please send a photo of proof of Staffordshire residence via email to blue.badges@staffordshire.gov.uk

Before the badge expires you can apply for a renewal badge with Staffordshire in the usual way online.

How to check eligibility

You can check the eligibility criteria online before applying.

You can also view the Governments full guidance to local authorities online.

How long is a Blue Badge valid for?

Blue Badges are generally issued for a period of 3 years. However, if you apply and are eligible under a criteria such as PIP then the badge will be issued inline with the award end date, up to a maximum of 3 years. 

What to do if your badge has expired

The easiest way is to renew on the GOV.UK website 6 to 8 weeks before your badge expires. We will aim to deliver your new Blue Badge before your old one expires.

You will need the following: 

• the serial number on the current badge (if you know it).
• if you do not have a bus pass you will need to upload a digital passport-style photo (not a printed paper photo). This can be one from your computer, tablet or phone.
• a credit or debit card to pay the £10 fee.

Please note, you cannot use a badge once it has expired.