The Blue Badge scheme helps you park nearer to your destination if you have a disability. The badge is for the holders use only. When used, the badge holder should be either the driver of the vehicle or passenger in the vehicle the badge is displayed in.
Check your eligibility
You can check your eligibility at GOV.UK: Who can get a Blue Badge. You will find information about who automatically qualifies for a badge, who may qualify for a badge, and what you will need when applying.
Apply for or renew a Blue Badge
You can apply for yourself, for someone else or for an organisation. The same online application form can be used if you want to renew your Badge.
Applying online is easy
The online application is provided by GOV.UK. You’ll need to answer some questions to check your eligibility and then you’ll be asked to provide personal details as well as evidence to support your application.
The form will make it clear exactly what documents you need and will allow you to upload them there and then. You will be able to submit your application even if you are unable to upload all the documents that are asked for.
Did you know: If you have a smartphone you can use it to take a photo of the document you need to upload. Simple!
If you aren’t able to take a photo you can upload a scan of your document. If you don’t know how to do this then why not ask a family member or friend to help you. Alternatively, you could visit your local library and ask for help there.
The details collected in the application will be sent to us and we will contact you if we need more information.
Applying online and providing an email address will help us to minimise the time it takes to send you a badge.
If you are unable to apply online you can call us on 0345 155 1006. You can also apply by post.
Using your Blue Badge
The badge is for you only. It can only be used when you are the driver or a passenger. It cannot be used by other people doing something for you, for example, shopping or collecting prescriptions. Your badge must not be used for parking whilst they do tasks on your behalf.
It remains your responsibility to park safely at all times and be considerate of other road users’ needs whenever your Blue Badge is used to park on-street. Do not allow it to be used to park on corners, brows of hills, near junctions or anywhere where a parked vehicle may block views of oncoming traffic and be a hazard to other road users or pedestrians. Always ensure that others could pass the parked vehicle safely.
The Blue Badge scheme only applies to on-street public parking spaces. Blue Badge holders do not need to pay when parking in on-street pay-and-display spaces, and may park for as long as required when using on-street limited waiting spaces or pay and display spaces to visit local shops or amenities.
You may park for up to three hours on yellow lines except where there is a ban on loading or unloading as shown by a single or double yellow bars painted on the edge of the pavement. At the end of the three hours, you must park elsewhere. You must not reset your clock time to extend your parking time for another 3 hours.
If using a disabled badge holders only space, check that the sign does not specify a time limit or have a maximum stay. If the sign specifies a time limit, for example, ‘2 hours no return within 4 hours’ or says, ‘2 hours max stay’, you cannot park for longer than the time stated or return to that space within the stated time. If no time is specified you can park with your Blue Badge for as long as you need.
If you are a Blue Badge holder and live in a residents’ permit holder parking area or zone, you no longer need to buy a resident permit to park on your street as displaying your valid Blue Badge is enough. Devon County Council has exempted Blue Badge Holders to use those spaces.
However, if you regularly travel with friends or family in their cars and will be relying on your Blue Badge for parking at your destination, we do recommend that you buy a residents’ permit for your own car to avoid receiving a penalty charge notice for not displaying a valid permit or Blue Badge whilst you were away from home.
Your Blue Badge must not be used to park in spaces signed as reserved for specific users, such as permit holders, doctors, local service providers, e.g. local community bus, buses, taxis, motorcycles, electric vehicle charging places (unless charging), or places for people loading or unloading.
You should not park in loading-only parking places, unless to set down or pick up a passenger, or to load or unload. Parking any longer may prevent larger vehicles carrying goods from being able to enter or exit the bay and be fully parked within the marked space to make deliveries to nearby businesses.
Mobility scooters are not required to have a parking permit. These vehicles should not be parked on the kerb or at the kerbside for long periods. They should be parked on your own property when ever possible and not in use.
More advice about using your Blue Badge is available from Citizens Advice and this guidance on GOV.UK outlines your rights and responsibilities.
Updating your details
Your Blue Badge lasts for three years and a renewal notice will be issued automatically at least six weeks before it expires.
If you move during that time please phone us on 0345 155 1006 or email csc.bluebadge@devon.gov.uk to let us know your new address.
If you move to a different county your Blue Badge will still be valid but you will have to reapply to your new local authority when it expires.
To replace a lost, stolen or damaged Blue Badge
If your Blue Badge has been lost, stolen or damaged please phone us on 0345 155 1006 or email csc.bluebadge@devon.gov.uk to request a replacement.
Please be aware a £10 replacement fee will be payable.
If your lost, stolen or damaged Blue Badge is valid for less than six months it would be more cost-effective for you to submit an early re-application.