• What is the Blue Badge scheme?
• Who can get a Blue Badge?
• How much does the Blue Badge cost?
• How do I get a Blue Badge?
• Can I apply on behalf of someone else?
• Who can use the Blue Badge?
• What happens if I move?
• Where can I Park?
• Why do we enforce?
• Report Blue Badge abuse
• Shopmobility

What is the Blue Badge scheme?

The Blue Badge Scheme provides a national arrangement of parking concessions for people with severe walking difficulties, who travel either as drivers or passengers. The scheme also applies to registered blind people, and people with very severe upper limb disabilities who regularly drive a vehicle but cannot turn a steering wheel by hand.

The scheme allows the badge holder to take advantage of certain parking privileges whenever they are travelling, as a driver or passenger, anywhere in the European Union.

Who can get a Blue Badge?

The Blue Badge Scheme in the City of Nottingham is administered by the 'Blue Badge Parking Team' in Nottingham City Council, who issue badges in accordance with guidelines and regulations provided by the Department for Transport.

Anyone who meets one of the following criteria is eligible for the automatic issue of a Blue Badge:

• Receives the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
• Receives a War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement
• Is registered blind
• Uses a motor vehicle supplied for disabled people by a Government Health Department
• Has a severe disability in both upper limbs, regularly drive a motor vehicle but cannot turn the steering wheel by hand even if that wheel is fitted with a turning knob

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Those who do not meet any of the criteria above may be eligible for a discretionary issue of a Blue Badge if they have:

• A permanent and substantial disability which means they are unable to walk or have very considerable difficulty in walking. When considering an applicants ability to walk, other things such as carrying parcels, cannot be taken into account
• People with a psychological disorder will not normally qualify unless they also have very considerable and not intermittent difficulty in walking
• A parent of a child who is less than two years old may apply for a badge for their child if the child has a specific medical condition which means that they must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried around without great difficulty or need to be kept near a vehicle at all times in order to be treated in the vehicle or quickly driven to a place where they can be treated such as a hospital
• People with temporary disabilities, such as a broken leg will not qualify for a Blue Badge

How much does the Blue Badge cost?

There is just an administration fee of £10.00.

How long is the Blue Badge valid for?

Blue badges are usually issued for 3 years.

If your badge was issued by Nottingham City Council, we will write to you approximately 6 weeks before your badge is about to expire to remind you to re-apply for a new one.

How do I get a Blue Badge?

Anyone who wishes to apply for a Blue Badge must complete an application form and return it with the appropriate documents to Processing and Enforcement Services, PO Box 10169, Nottingham, NG1 9HS, or phone 0115 8761499 for one to be sent to you. Alternatively you can download an electronic copy of the application form using the right hand menu at the top of this page.

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(Please note that this form is only for residents who live within the boundary covered by Nottingham City Council - i.e. those who pay their Council Tax to NottinghamCity Council).

You must supply:-

• A photocopy of the qualifying evidence for an automatic entitlement if applicable
• Proof of residency
• Two recent passport-style/size photographs of yourself signed on the back.
• A cheque/postal order for £10.00 made payable to Nottingham City Council (non-refundable)

Please do not send cash or original documents to us in the post

If you are successful in obtaining a Blue Badge you will also be sent a letter advising that it cannot be displayed in a clear plastic pocket as this may cause damage to the badge, and would require you to pay for a replacement.

If you still wish to display your badge and time clock together in a wallet,  new specially designed wallets suitable for the new badges are available and can be obtained by contacting us on 0115 8761499 where a small fee would be payable.

Can I apply on behalf of someone else?

Yes, you can apply on behalf of a person with a disability if you are a parent or guardian of a child up to age 16 years or helping someone who has difficulty writing, for example due to poor eyesight or poor co-ordination. However all sections of the form should be completed with the name and details of the person who qualifies for the badge, NOT the person applying on their behalf.

If the application is for a child under the age of 12 years, the signature can be provided by their parent or guardian. In all other cases the named applicant must sign the form and photographs.

Who can use the Blue Badge?

The Blue Badge is issued to a person, not a vehicle. This means the badge holder may use the concessions whenever he/she travels as a driver or passenger, regardless of who owns the vehicle.

Only the Blue Badge holder may use the concessions, so the Badge holder must be in the vehicle when the concession is being claimed.

It is now a criminal offence for someone other than the badge holder to use the Blue Badge concessions. If they do, they are liable to a fine of up to £1,000. The Blue Badge can be withdrawn if the holder misuses it or allows others to use it.

What happens if I move?

You may continue to use your existing Blue Badge.

If you've moved away from Nottingham City Council, you will need to apply to your new local authority for a new badge when your current badge expires.

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What happens if my Badge is lost or stolen?

You should report the matter to the Police - Blue Badges are valuable in the wrong hands. You should ask for a crime number and quote this when you request a replacement badge. You will be asked to fill in a new application form and will need to provide two recently taken passport sized photos, proof of residency such as a recent utilities bill (not a mobile phone bill) and a £10.00 administration charge.

Where can I Park?

You may park using your Blue Badge in the following locations:

Designated Disabled Parking Bays

• Nearside Parking Bays (passenger side nearest the kerb)
  Nearside parking bays allow passengers with a disability to get out of a vehicle onto the pavement.
• Offside Parking Bays (driver's side nearest the kerb)
  Offside bays cater for drivers with a disability, who can travel independently, and get in and out of a vehicle on the driver's side.

Pay and Display Parking Bays

Pay and Display on-street parking bays are available with nearside/offside parking. If you display your Blue Badge you do not have to pay to park.

Parking on Yellow Lines
Nearside/offside parking for Blue Badge holders is allowed on yellow lines as long as:

• you do not cause an obstruction,
• there are no loading restrictions, and
• you do not park for longer than 3 hours.

Where you must not park

The Blue Badge is not a licence to park anywhere. You must NOT park during the time a ban on loading or unloading is in force (normally indicated by one or two yellow marks on the kerb at the times shown on post mounted plates).

However, in pedestrian areas, waiting and loading restrictions may be in force even where there are no yellow lines shown on the road or kerb. Details of any restrictions in force will be shown on plates displayed at the kerb side of the road. You must NOT park in the following places:

• where there are double white lines in the centre of the road even if one of the lines is broken,
• in a bus or tram lane during its hours of operation
• in a cycle lane
• on any clearway, double or single red lines during their hours of operation
• on all pedestrian crossings - including Zebra, Pelican, Toucan and Puffin crossings
• on zig-zag markings before and after Zebra, Pelican, Toucan and Puffin crossings
• in parking places reserved for specific users, e.g. loading bays, taxis, cycles
• where temporary restrictions on parking are in force along a length of road e.g. as indicated by no-waiting cones
• on a residents parking bay, unless there are signs showing that you may do so, or you have checked with the local authority Highways Department that you may do so
• in suspended Pay and Display meter bays or when use of the meter or bay is prohibited
• on school keep clear markings during the hours shown on a yellow no- stopping plate

You must NOT park where it would be obstructive or cause a danger to others. The following are likely examples:

• at school entrances, bus stops, on a bend, or near the brow of a hill or hump bridge
• where it would make it difficult for others to see clearly, eg close to a junction
• where it would make the road narrow, eg by a traffic island or where road work is in progress
• where it would hold up traffic, eg in narrow stretches of road or blocking vehicle entrances
• where emergency vehicles stop or go in and out, eg hospital entrances
• where the kerb has been lowered or the road raised to form a pedestrian crossing
• on a pavement unless signs permit it

How should you display your blue badge correctly?

Your blue badge must be on the dashboard or fascia of the vehicle where it can be seen through the windscreen. You have to show the front of your badge. That is the side with the wheelchair symbol on it. This is so people who inspect badges can see what is written on it.

If there is no dashboard in your vehicle you must still show your badge. Put it somewhere where it can be seen easily. People who inspect badges must be able to read all the information on the front of the badge.

Please remember to always display your time clock whenever you park. A Penalty Charge Notice can be issued if a badge is not correctly displayed.

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Why do we enforce?

There are over two million disabled people's parking badges (otherwise known as Blue Badges) in the UK.  Abuse of the scheme by those who are not entitled to its concessions can undermine the scheme credibility.  This can impact on the mobility of disabled people, who have a genuine requirement and are unable to make use of parking spaces, which are being used illegally.

The rules allowing people to inspect your blue badge are to make sure that the badge has not been changed in any way, that it is not stolen or that it is not being used by someone, other than you, who is not entitled to use it.

For example, some people let their friends and families use their badge even though they are not travelling in the vehicle. It is important that badges are used properly so as to protect the rights of genuine badge holders.

Misuse

Your blue badge must be used correctly, so it is important that you know the rules about using it. They are in the leaflet you get when you receive your blue badge. When you use your blue badge always follow the rules. If someone else drives a vehicle that you are a passenger in, they need to know the rules too. Remember to show the leaflet to them.

The legislation that covers Blue Badge misuse is the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 section 117.  This covers anyone who misuses a valid blue badge. 

What you should NOT do:

Do not let someone else use your badge.

You should not let someone else use it to go and collect something for you. When you are not travelling in the vehicle, take the blue badge out so no-one else can use it.

Do not let someone else use the blue badge to get free or better parking.

A badge can only be used for your benefit. If the trip is for someone else and you are a passenger and staying in the vehicle, you cannot use the badge simply to allow them to benefit from free or better parking.

Someone who is not disabled who uses a blue badge is breaking the law and can be subject to legal action.

Do not use the badge when it is out of date.

You can only have a blue badge for three years at a time. When the three years are up you must apply to your local council for a new one. You have to wait for your new badge to be sent to you before you can use the parking benefits. So remember to apply for a new one before the three years runs out. And remember to send your old badge back to the council. If you no longer need a blue badge, it should be sent back to the council.

Do not use the badge when information on it is wrong or illegible.

You cannot change any information on a badge. People who inspect badges must be able to read all the information on your badge. If the information becomes illegible, send the badge back to the council and ask for a new one.

Abuse

The legislation that covers Blue Badge abuse is the Fraud Act 2006 section 1.  This relates to anyone who uses a blue badge which is not genuine or where the badge has been altered.

Blue Badge abuse and misuse can result in hefty fines, and imprisonment.

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Report Blue Badge misuse/abuse

If you would like to give us some information about misuse or abuse of the Blue Badge Scheme - then you can contact us in the following ways:

Online: Using our online report form by clicking HERE

Email: Blue.Badges@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

In Writing:  Blue Badge Enforcement, Processing & Enforcement Services, PO Box 10169, Nottingham, NG1 9HS

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Shopmobility

The free loan of self propelled, powered wheelchairs or scooters for use around the city centre is available to anyone who has a disability which requires them to use a wheelchair. The disability could be permanent or temporary.

A free one-to-one guide service is available for anyone who has a visual impairment that prevents them from enjoying shopping and leisure opportunities independently. A guide can be booked for up to 2 hours and you can arrange to be met anywhere in the city centre. The availability of this service is limited and therefore subject to booking. The award-winning Shopmobility team have all received guide training from the Visual Impairment Team.

Locations
The service operates from Victoria Centre's main car park off Woodborough Road (White Zone, Cairn Street) and Broadmarsh Bus Station (next to Barton's office). There is no parking in the bus station itself but special spaces are available within the Broadmarsh car park.

Opening Times

• Broadmarsh Shopmobility (bookings only)
  Monday to Saturday 9am - 4.45pm
• Victoria Centre Shopmobility (book or call in)
  Monday to Saturday 9am - 4.45pm

Please note:-

To join, you will need to complete a short application form and provide proof of identity. This should include a recent utility bill (dated within the last three months) and photo identity, such as a bus card or passport.

For more information please call (0115) 9153888.

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