Apply for or renew a blue badge on Gov.UK

Disabled parking permits are known as blue badges in the UK and Europe. Portsmouth City Council is responsible for the issue of all blue badges in the city, covering all postcodes between PO1 and PO6. If you live outside of this area, for example Waterlooville, Fareham or Gosport, you will need to contact Hampshire County Council to apply for a Blue Badge.

The blue badge scheme provides a national range of parking concessions for disabled people with severe mobility problems who have difficulty using public transport. It is designed to help severely disabled people to travel independently, as either a driver or passenger, by allowing them to park close to their destination.

For information on disabled parking bays, please visit our disabled parking bays page.

Applying for a blue badge

You can apply for or renew a blue badge online. Alternatively, contact us for an application form:

The application process can be tracked online, and includes questions to check your eligibility for a blue badge. All badges are issued by the council and cost £10 to cover administration and production.

If you don’t meet the automatic qualification criteria when you apply for a blue badge, you may need to attend a Mobility Assessment. This will take place at Portsmouth Deaf Centre, Arundel Street, Portsmouth and will be carried out by a fully qualified occupational therapist.

Applicants who need an assessment will be contacted to arrange an appointment when their application has been processed.

Hidden disabilities

From 30 August 2019 the blue badge scheme was extended to include applicants with hidden disabilities who:

  • experience very considerable difficulty whilst walking, which may include very considerable psychological distress
  • are at risk of serious harm when walking
  • pose a risk of serious harm to any other person when walking

Is there a different application form for me to complete if I have a hidden disability?

Yes, we have created an application form specifically for applicants with hidden disabilities.

How do I apply?

You can either contact the blue badge team for an application form by calling 023 92 84 1176 or you can apply online.

If I have a hidden disability, how will I know if I automatically qualify for a blue badge?

You will only be automatically eligible for a blue badge if you receive 10 points on the ‘planning and following a journey’ descriptor E (‘Cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress‘) for the Mobility Component of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

If you receive 10 points for descriptor D (‘Cannot follow the route of an unfamiliar journey without another person, assistance dog or orientation aid‘) or 12 points for descriptor F (‘Cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person, an assistance dog or an orientation aid’) for the Mobility Component of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), you will not automatically qualify but you may be eligible subject to further assessment.

Will I automatically qualify if I have autism?

Eligibility for a blue badge is not based on having a specific diagnosis or condition. You may be eligible if you:

  • experience very considerable difficulty when walking (which may include very considerable psychological distress), or
  • are at risk of serious harm when walking, or
  • when walking, pose a risk of serious harm to any other person

I have a hidden disability, will I be asked to attend a face to face assessment?

It is unlikely that you will be asked to attend a face to face assessment. It is important that you provide with your application supporting documents from health and social care practitioners detailing, for example diagnosis, care plans, patient summaries and any other documents which detail your condition and the impact it has on you when undertaking a journey between a vehicle and your destination. Further details on what to provide can be found on the application form and guidance notes.

How to collect your blue badge

We are not currently requiring blue badges to be collected in person. When your blue badge is ready we will contact you with details of how to pay and once payment has been received your blue badge will be posted out to you.

You can also report a lost or stolen blue badge online.

Disabled parking bays

Disabled parking bays feature a sign next to them (on a wall, fence or post) which reads ‘Disabled badge holders only’. It is a requirement to display a valid blue badge at all times whilst parked in an enforceable disabled parking bay.

Any motorist found parked in a disabled bay without displaying a valid blue badge is liable to receive a Penalty Charge Notice.

Further information on disabled parking bays can be found on our disabled parking bays page.

Frequently asked questions

Eligibility
Automatic eligibility
New applications and renewals
Using your blue badge
Changes in circumstance
Report an issue with a blue badge

Further information

Further information on disabled parking bays can be found on our disabled parking bays page.

If you’d like to contact us: