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Changes - New Blue Badge scheme regulations
On 15 October 2007, new legislation comes into force, which will amend the eligibility criteria and period of issue for some applicants. The design of the badge will also change and you will need to begin issuing the new-style badges to all successful applicants from 15 October 2007.
Change in the design of the badge to help prevent fraud and aid enforcement including the introduction of an anti-fraud hologram, additional wording identifying the front of the badge and a gender specific serial number on both sides of the badge (for individual badges only).
Changes are being made as follows
The changes will in particular
a) extend eligibility to children under the age of two who, due to specific medical condition, need to travel with bulky medical equipment or be close to a vehicle for emergency medical treatment. These badges will need to expire on the day after the child's second birthday.
For more information please see information sheet A at the bottom of this page.
For more information please see information sheet A at the bottom of this page.
b) extend the eligibility criterion for people with severe disabilities in both arms so that people who regularly drive a non-adopted vehicle but cannot operate, or have considerable difficulty in operating, all or some types of parking meter (for example, those with thalidomide-related disabilities) are eligible for a badge. For more information on assessments please see information sheet B at the bottom of this page.
c) allow for badges to be issued for a period of less than three years to people who are awarded the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (HRMCDLA) or the War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement (WPMS) for less than three years. - We are already in process of doing this.
You will be automatically eligible to apply for a badge if you are over two years old and either
- receive the Higher Rate of the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance
- are registered blind
- receive a War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement.
You may also be eligible for a badge if you are over two years old and either
- have a permanent and substantial disability which means you cannot walk, or which makes walking very difficult
- drive a motor vehicle regularly, have a severe disability in both arms, and are unable to operate all or some types of parking meter (or would find it very difficult to operate them).
If you are a parent of a child who is less than two years old, you may apply for a badge for your child if they have a specific medical condition which means that they either
- must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried around without great difficulty
- 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.
Downloads
This information sheet provides information on the changes to the blue badge scheme. (24.5 KB)
This sheet provides information on the changes to the blue badge scheme. (20.5 KB)
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