FAQs about Blue Badge and Disabled Parking
Last updated: 15 May 2013 12:47 UKHere you'll find some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about blue badges and disabled parking.
If you need to get in touch you can:
- Call us on 023 9284 1176
- Email us at bluebadges@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
- Write to us at
Transport and Environment, Alec Rose Lane, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2BX
I don’t drive, can I still apply for a Blue Badge?
Yes, you don't have to be a car driver to qualify.Can I have a temporary Blue Badge?
No, people with temporary disabilities, such as a broken leg for example, will not qualify for a badge.Can I have two Blue Badges?
No, under Department of Transport legislation only one badge is issued per person for their personal use.
Do I have to send original letters or certificates as proof that I receive the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance?
Yes, any documents sent in as proof of entitlement will be returned as quickly as possible, once they are no longer needed.
I am registered partially sighted; will I automatically qualify for a Blue Badge?
No, a registration as partially sighted does not automatically qualify you for a Blue Badge. Only a severely sight impaired/blind registration gives automatic entitlement.
I receive the higher rate of Attendance Allowance; will I automatically qualify for a Blue Badge?
No, only the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance gives automatic entitlement.
I receive a War Pension; will I automatically qualify for a Blue Badge?
The Government has agreed to provide continuous automatic entitlement to a Blue Badge to service personnel and veterans who have been both: awarded a benefit (giving rise to entitlement to a lump sum at tariffs 1-8 inclusive) under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS); and assessed and certified by the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) (an executive agency of the Ministry of Defence) as having a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.
Applicants will be required to provide a letter from the SPVA confirming that they are in receipt of tariffs 1-8 under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) Order 2011 and that they have been assessed by the SPVA as having a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.
I do not meet the automatic qualification criteria; can I still apply for a Blue Badge?
Yes, if you do not meet the automatic qualification criteria we will contact you to arrange for you to attend an Independent Mobility Assessment (IMA) at the Frank Sorrell Centre in Prince Albert Road, Southsea. This is so that we can obtain evidence of the extent of your disability and how it affects your mobility to enable us to assess your application.
Can I have a Blue Badge for my baby?
A parent of a child who is less than three 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; and/or
- need to be kept near a vehicle at all times, so that they can, if necessary, be treated in the vehicle, or quickly driven to a place where they can be treated, such as a hospital
It is not possible to provide a passport-sized photograph, what should I do?
We can accept other photographs as long as they are of a comparative standard of photographs taken in a photo booth. We cannot accept photographs full face if the photograph is 6 inches x 4 inches as it is impossible to reduce this to 2 inches x 2 inches. Photographs must also be in colour and there must not be any other people in the background of the photographs.
Can I sign the application form on behalf of my wife/husband/son/daughter?
Yes, the application form can be signed on behalf of the applicant, by a designated member of the family or a friend.
How long will it take to process my application?
We will make every effort to deal with your application as quickly as possible. However due to the high number of applications received and the work involved in processing them, please allow up to 6 weeks for your application to be processed. Applications for duplicate blue badges will usually be processed within 10 days.
I have just been diagnosed with a terminal illness, can my blue badge application be dealt with quicker than the advised 6 weeks?
We are able to fast track applications for applicants with a terminal illness. If you are applying for a Blue Badge under this criteria, please provide a letter from your GP, specialist or Macmillan nurse to confirm your diagnosis. Upon receiving the completed application form, we will aim to order a Blue Badge within 48 hours with a view to receiving it within 5 working days from the date of the order.My application has been refused; can I appeal against the decision?
Yes, if you would like to appeal against an unsuccessful application, please tell us why in writing and send it to 'The Parking Office Manager' at the address above.
Where can I use my Blue Badge in Portsmouth?
In addition to the concessions listed in the Blue Badge Scheme 'Rights and Responsibilities' booklet issued with the Blue Badge, badge holders may park free of charge without a time limit in most of the Portsmouth City Council run car parks and on-street pay and display areas, providing that the Blue Badge is clearly displayed in the vehicle. Signs are present in all of the council run car parks and on pay and display meters, which will advise if parking is free for badge holders.
Please note that some car parks within the city are not run by the council and do not provide free parking for Blue Badge holders, therefore it is advisable to inspect any signage present within the car park upon parking. Portsmouth City Council run car parks are identifiable by large blue signs situated at the entrance to the car parks, which display the council name and crest. Details of the council run car parks and pay and display areas can be found by visiting the Parking home page.
In addition to this, Blue Badge holders may park in exemption of the limited wait restrictions present in the resident parking schemes within the city.
I have relatives coming to stay for a holiday from USA/Canada/Australia with a wheelchair; can they have a temporary Blue Badge?
No, there are no temporary badges issued. However we do allow the use of non European Union (EU) Blue Badges within the city.
Can I use my Blue Badge when I go to Europe and other countries?
The Blue Badge is recognised throughout the European Union (EU). This means that you can take advantage of the parking concessions available in all other EU countries. Please refer to the Rights and Responsibilities booklet issued with your Blue Badge for country specific information.
Please be advised that there are no current arrangements for you to use your badge outside the European Union, in countries such as the USA, Australia or Canada.
The badge holder died recently; what should I do with their Blue Badge?
Please return it to us. A letter is not necessary but we do need a note of the date of death so that we can amend the records. You may keep the photograph if you wish.
What do I do if I have lost my Blue Badge?
If you have lost your Blue Badge (even if you have lost it at home) please call us on the above number and we will arrange for an application form for a duplicate badge to be sent to you. You will need to complete the Lost Blue Badge Report form attached to the application form and enclose it with your application. If your badge has been stolen, please call us on the above number and we will arrange for an application form for a duplicate badge to be sent to you. You will need to report the theft to the Police and obtain a crime reference number, which you must enclose with your application form.
What do I do if my Blue Badge has faded?
Should the details on your badge become faded, please call us on the number above. You should check your badge regularly to ensure that all details remain legible.
What do I do if my Blue Badge is damaged and I need to obtain a replacement?
Should your badge become damaged, i.e. put in the washing machine etc, please call us on the above number and we will arrange for an application for a duplicate badge to be sent to you. Please note that you will need to return the damaged badge to enable a replacement to be issued.
I have changed my address; do I need to inform you?
Yes, if you change your address please inform us as soon as possible as failure to do so may result in any correspondence, for example your renewal application form, being sent to the incorrect address.
My Blue Badge is due to expire, how do I obtain a new one?
We will automatically send a renewal application form to you approximately 6 weeks before it is due to expire. If you have not received a renewal application form within two weeks of the date that your badge is due to expire, please contact us on the number above.
I want to complain about abuse of a Blue Badge, is this possible?
Yes, it is important to us that we receive notification of any abuse of the scheme. We will investigate the matter and consider what action, if any, can be taken. If you suspect misuse of a badge please contact us and provide as much information as possible, such as the Blue Badge serial number and expiry date, details of the vehicle in which the badge is being displayed and the location of the vehicle.
