Disabled Parking Badge Scheme
The Council is responsible for the issue of Blue Badge parking permits to residents whose mobility is severely impaired. Blue Badges allow residents who are unable to walk great distances, to park in restricted areas. Over 3,000 badges are issued each year. As from the 1st of April 2010 the Highland Council will implement a £20.00 charge for the administration of a Blue Badge.
Find Blue Badge parking bays
Use Directgov's interactive tool to find Blue Badge parking bays near you and across the UK. You can find the address, number of spaces and any restrictions and exceptions that are in place. There are also details of accessible petrol stations and public toilets in the UK and their facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the disabled parking badge scheme?
The disabled parking badge scheme is a national scheme for people who:
- are registered blind/partially sighted or
- have severe walking difficulties or
regularly drive but require foot controls.
The scheme enables badge holders to park on some single and double yellow lines and provides free parking in the majority of Highland Council run car parks.
How do I qualify?
You will automatically receive a disabled person's parking badge if:
- You receive the higher rate of the Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance.
- You receive a War Pensioners' Mobility supplement.
- You received an award under Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) at tariff 1-8 and been assessed by the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency as being unable or virtually unable to walk?
- You are registered blind/partially sighted.
- the DSS have supplied a vehicle to you, or they have given you a grant to adapt a vehicle or they give you help towards the running costs of a vehicle.
- You have a severe disability in both upper limbs, regularly drive a motor vehicle but cannot turn the steering wheel of a motor vehicle by hand.
- You have a permanent and substantial disability which means you are unable to walk or Virtually unable to walk. In this case, you may be asked some questions by your Local Authority to decide if you are entitled to a badge.
- You are unable to walk or are virtually unable to walk because of a temporary but substantial disability which is likely to last for a period of at least 12 months but less than 3 years.
- 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 condition which requires specific medical equipment, which means they must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried around without great difficulty; or needs 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.
People with psychological disorder will not normally qualify unless their impairments cause very considerable, and not intermittent, difficulty in walking.
How do I apply for a disabled parking badge?
Telephone your local Highland Council Service Point and a form will be sent to you. Alternatively you can download an application form above.
Return completed applications to the Service Centre:
Blue Badge Scheme
Highland Council Service Centre
Osprey House
Alness Point Business Park
Alness
IV17 0UP
How do I apply for a Blue Badge under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme?
Service personnel and veterans who have been both: awarded a lump sum at AFCS tariffs 1-8; and assessed by the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) as being unable or virtually unable to walk will be eligible.
The SPVA will issue an applicant who meets these conditions with a letter confirming both their level of award under the AFCS and that they are unable or virtually unable to walk. The applicant will then present that letter to their local authority when applying for a Blue Badge.
Is there a charge for the badge?
Yes, there is a fixed charge of £20.00 payable when an application is recognised as meeting the entitlement criteria of permenant, temporary and organisational badges.
How long does the badge last?
The Blue Badge lasts for a period of between 12 months and 3 years. When this time is up, you will need to apply again for a new badge. It is best to do this several weeks before your badge expires.
- Contact your local Highland Council Service Point if you need to get your badge renewed, or need a replacement badge if it is illegible or damaged.
- Renewals are treated like new applications and so you should obtain a form from your local Service Point and complete it and submit it as before.
How do I display my Badge?
You must display the badge on top of the dash board or facia panel of a vehicle with the front of the badge (the side showing the wheelchair user symbol) facing forward so that the relevant details are legible from outside of the vehicle when using the parking benefits.
I don’t drive anymore. Can I still apply for a Badge?
You don't have to be a driver or a car owner to apply for or have a badge. The badge is issued to you as a person and it can be used in any vehicle you travel in. However, you should keep the badge with you at all other times and not allow someone else to hold it on your behalf. The driver of the vehicle should also be made aware of their responsibilities and regulations of usage of the blue badge.
If I have a Badge, can I park anywhere?
No. The Blue Badge is not a licence to park anywhere. Be particularly careful to find out where there is a ban on loading and off-loading, by reading the roads signs. Details of any restrictions in force will be shown on signs at the kerb-side. There is more information in the Blue Badge Booklet which is available from your local Service Point.
Can I take my Badge abroad?
Yes. The badge can be used in any EC country. If you are travelling to the Americas or Australia we suggest you contact the relevant Embassy for information.
Can a visitor, who has been rewarded an equivalent Disabled Parking Badge from a non EU country get a temporary Blue Badge whilst visiting Highland?
Any visitor to Highland who has the equivalent to a Blue Badge from a non EU country can get a temporary Blue Badge. The expiry date will be matched from that of their existing Badge from the non EU country and can be used within normal Blue Badge guidelines for this duration. To apply for this, please present at any Service Point, where a Badge will be organised after the non EU Badge is viewed. A temporary visitors Badge will not be exempt from our £20.00 administration fee.
Can I have more than one badge?
No. Only one badge is issued per person. If you regularly travel in more than one car it is the badge holders responsibility to move the badge from car to car.
I go to the chemist/supermarket etc for a badge holder. Can I use this badge to park close by?
No. Unless you qualify for and hold a badge in your name, you cannot use a disabled parking bay. Under no circumstances are you allowed to use someone else's badge, even if running an errand for them. Such use is an offence and traffic wardens and the Police have been given additional powers to inspect badge where they suspect misuse.
Why does my Blue Badge Expire?
The current regulations state that badges are awarded for up to 3 years only. When you receive your new badge or if you are notified that your badge will not be renewed you should return the expired badge to us.
My child has disabilities. At what age can he/she have a Badge?
A parent of a child who is less than three years old may apply for a badge for their child, if the child:
(i) Has a condition which requires specific medical equipment, which means they must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried around without great difficulty;
(ii) Needs 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.
(iii) Bulky medical equipment includes in particular any of the following:
ventilators; suction machines; feed pumps; parenteral equipment; syringe drivers; oxygen administration equipment; continual oxygen saturation equipment; and casts and equipment for hip dysplasia.
I can’t carry shopping anymore. Can I apply for a Badge?
The Badge is issued for problems with walking. We cannot take any account of problems with carrying your shopping unless upper arm disability creates specific problems with steering by hand a car driven by you or with putting money in a parking meter. These conditions are described more fully in the regulation for Blue Badges.
What do I do if I think a Badge is being mis-used?
Please contact us and tell us as much as you can, for example the name and address of the person if possible, the badge number and where you saw the misuse occur. We will investigate and contact the badge holder. We will not be able to tell you the results of our investigations because of data protection legislation. It is the responsibility of the Badge holder to make sure their badge is not misused by others wherever possible.
What do I do if my badge is lost, stolen or faded?
You must contact us to request a replacement. If your Badge is less than 3 months from its expiry date you will have to renew your application by re-applying. Please ensure that the badge is only displayed when in use. You should also check it regularly to ensure all details remain legible.
I cannot access a photo booth – what should I do?
You may submit any suitable full face photographs cut down to approximately to 3.5cm wide by 4.5cm long. (Passport size).
Is everyone required to provide photographs to accompany their application?
Yes. It should be emphasised that the photograph is not on display when the badge is in the car being used by the badge holder but helps traffic wardens and police to ensure that only badge holders use the few spaces dedicated for disabled parking. However, in exceptional cases of severe facial deformity, applicants are not required to provide photographs.
Are organisations charged by the application or the actual number of badges issued?
The charge is per badge issued.
How do I pay the £20.00
When the council has received all necessary evidence that qualifies you to a blue badge the council will call you informing you your badge is ready for final processing and awaiting payment. You may pay by phone using a credit or debit card by dialing the Service Centre on 01349 886604 or visiting your local Service Point. Please be aware credit card payments are subject to a surcharge of 2%.
From 1st April 2011 the only accepted method of payment for a Blue Badge is Credit or Debit card.
Are there any exemptions to blue badge charging?
No, it is a fixed charge.
Can I get a refund if I lose my blue badge or it is stolen?
No, any loss of blue badge and stolen property should be reported to the police in the first instance and The Council.
Will I be charged if I need a replacement?
Yes, you will be charged the administration cost of £20.00.
What if the blue badge is no longer required?
There will be no refund process for any blue badge issued as the charge is to cover administration costs.
What if my application is rejected?
Should your application be rejected there will be no charge made.
For help with completing the application form contact:
Blue Badge Scheme
Highland Council Service Centre
Osprey House
Alness Point Business Park
Alness
IV17 0UP
Tel: 01349 886604
Fax: 01349 886655
E-mail: scd@highland.gov.uk
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