My Services
Parking
Blue Badges
The Blue Badge Scheme provides a national arrangement of parking concessions for people with certain mobility difficulties. Here you can find out how to apply, download an application form and find information about our Shopmobility service.
- 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?
- Customer Surveys
- 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 Traffic and 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
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 £2.00.
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 Parking Services, Lawrence House, Talbot Street, NottinghamNG1 5NT.
Click here to download the Blue Badge 09 application form [489kb], or phone 0115 915 6655 for one to be sent to you.
(Please note that this form is only for residents who live within the boundary covered by NottinghamCity 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 £2 made payable to Nottingham City Council (non-refundable)
Please do not send cash or original documents to us in the post
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.
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 £2 administration charge.
Where can I Park?
Click here to download the disabled parking bay locations and times [45kb]. The times when the bays are operational are also given.
Customer Surveys
Parking Services will from time to time invite customers to take part in surveys. From the questions we ask and the responses we receive we hope we will be able to see what aspects of our service customers are happy with and which aspects customers would like to see improved. We will publish a summary of the surveys and inform our customers of any changes that are made in response to suggestions.from these surveys.
Click here to download the Summary of Blue Badge Survey 2005 [51kb]
Click here to download the Summary of Blue Badge survey 2007 [168kb]
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.
