Disabled parking scheme

The Blue Badge disabled parking scheme allows disabled and blind people to park closer to shops and amenities. This allows the badge holder to drive or be transported to areas within towns and cities where parking is restricted.

KCC Blue Badge Parking Scheme is based in Maidstone and is responsible for administration and issue of disabled parking permits across Kent.

Medway, Bexley and Bromley councils run their own Blue Badge schemes.

If you would like a disabled parking bay, you need to contact your District and borough council who can arrange this for you.

Eligibility

You can qualify for the Blue Badge Disabled Parking Scheme if one of the following applies to you:

• You receive the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance or have a mobility finance vehicle 
• You are registered blind (not partially sighted) 
• You receive war pensioners mobility supplement
• You have a permanent and substantial disability which affects your mobility and means you have considerable difficulty in walking (discretionary rules apply). In this case we will contact your General Practitioner on your behalf to verify your level of disability and you may also be asked to attend a Clinic session where a qualified Occupational Therapist will assess your mobility. This will be of no cost to yourself.

Please ensure you read all the information and guidance found on this page before completing your Blue Badge application form.

More details about the eligibility criteria and special rules (PDF, 25kb) regarding the Blue Badge scheme are available.

If the applicant is receiving treatment at an oncology unit or due to their condition are linked to a hospice, the form can be stamped on the front with an official unit stamp so that we may then prioritise the application at the discretion of the department.

Applicants who wish to apply via this route must not use the quick return slip method when applying online and are not obliged to provide photographs if they do not wish to.

Completing the online application form

Please complete the online application form supplying all relevant details. Once you have submitted your application to us online you may select 1 of 3 options:

1. Complete the application form online, print out the Quick Return Slip and send it to us.
2. Complete the application form online and print out the full application form. Once all details have been completed you then send it to us.
3. Complete the application form online and we can print it out and send it to you. You then complete the remaining details on the form and send it back to us.

Completing the paper application form

Please complete the form in either black or blue ink using block capitals.

Parts A and F, the declaration and the two signatures on the back of the form must be completed by all applicants and parts C, D and E must be completed if applicable to you.

If you are completing the form on behalf of someone else, you may sign the form for them. Please put relationship to applicant in brackets next to your signatures.

Attachments required for online and paper applications

The following attachments must be sent to us alongside your completed application form for both online and paper application methods:  

• 2 passport size photographs 
• signatures 
• a cheque or postal order for the sum of £2 
• photocopy evidence of documents if required

Failure to enclose all of the attachments will result in the form being returned to you.

What you will receive

If you are successful in your application you will be sent:

• a Blue Badge 
• time clock 
• Department of Transport, LR scheme booklet (which we strongly recommend you take time to read through and familiarise yourself with the scheme before using your Blue Badge for the first time)
• other literature related to the scheme which you may find useful.

Do you wish to apply for the Blue Badge?

If you think you meet any of the above criteria then you may:

• apply online or 
• print a paper form (PDF, 136k) to be completed and returned by post.

Your responsibilities as a badge holder

By completing and signing the form you must agree to your responsibilities as a badge holder.

You are responsible for the use of your badge and failure to comply with the Law can result in a fine of up to £1000 being imposed and the badge withdrawn.

The badge must be displayed correctly at all times when in use enabling Parking Attendants, Traffic Wardens etc. to view the details and is for your personal use only.

For further information on the law surrounding the Blue Badge, please visit the Department of Transport website.

The badge lasts until the date shown on the front and after that time it is illegal to use.

It is your responsibility to allow yourself time to get your badge renewed before your old one expires as no badges are automatically 'renewed'. After 3 years a new application must be made.

If you lose or have your badge stolen you must first report it to the Police who will issue you with a Crime number or a lost property number.

Once you have this number you can then contact the Blue Badge Scheme department who will advise you on replacement. For replacement please ring 01622 605020.

This is also the number to ring if you have a faded badge or you have changed your name through deed or marriage.

It should take 6 weeks from when we have received the completed form and all applicants are dealt with in strict date order.

In most cases you should receive your badge within the 6 weeks however, if we require further information it may take longer.