Apply or re-apply for a Blue Badge

The cost of the Blue Badge is £10 to be paid when you apply.

If you are not able to make the payment at the time you submit your application you can pay using our automated telephone payment service by phoning 0800 090 2911 which is available 24 hours a day.

You'll need the unique Blue Badge payment reference number which will be provided to you by email or letter.

You can apply online for you or someone else on the GOV.UK website. Watch a guide on how to apply for a blue badge on YouTube.

Apply for or renew a Blue Badge (GOV.UK)

Before you start

All applicants are required to complete a full application each time they apply.

When to renew a badge

Due to our processing times, we recommend you submit your application 3 months (12 weeks) – no sooner, before your current badge expires.

Your application will automatically be cancelled if you apply more than 12 weeks in advance of your current badge expiring. If you continue to display an expired badge, either by itself or with a note or letter to say you have re-applied and are waiting for your new Blue Badge to arrive, you may receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) or other enforcement action.

For Renewal applicants you’ll need:

• details of your current Blue Badge (All expired badges should be returned to us. New ones must not be displayed until they are in date, as you could be fined).
• proof of your address or identity - but only if this has changed since your previous badge was issued.
• your National Insurance number
• a photo. A new photograph is not required unless the photograph on your current badge is not a true likeness of you.
• proof of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – this is no longer required as we are now able to verify your DLA award directly from the DWP database. You will therefore no longer need to submit/upload these unless we ask you to. (This may be because we are unable to verify.)
• proof of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – this is no longer required as We are now able to verify your PIP award directly from the DWP database. You will no longer need to upload/submit these unless we ask you to. (This may be because we are unable to verify.)

Renewal applicants who are not applying under the Automatic criteria, will also need to tell us if you:

• use any mobility aids
• take any medication for your condition – provide a copy of your recent prescription list
• have had any treatments for your condition since your previous badge was issued and the names of the healthcare professionals that have treated you

If we need to request further medical evidence to support your application we will contact you.

For new applicants you’ll need documents to support your application. (Next section on this page).

Contact us

If you require any further assistance with your Blue Badge application you can:

• email bluebadgeteam@suffolk.gov.uk
• call 0808 800 4005

Find out what documents that you need to apply for a Blue Badge.

If you are not able to upload your documents or photograph, you can:

1. bypass the sections of the form when it asks you to upload by selecting 'I cannot scan or upload’
2. then select ‘continue without uploading’

Contact us

If you require any further assistance with your Blue Badge application you can:

• email bluebadgeteam@suffolk.gov.uk
• call 0808 800 4005

From the date an application is submitted (including all documentation received and payment received), it can take up to 12 weeks to begin to process a Blue Badge application. It may take longer if your payment, documents, and evidence haven’t been received and/or you need to attend an Independent Mobility Assessment.

If it has been less than 10 weeks since you submitted your application, we will be unable to provide you with an update. Please rest assured however that we are working as quickly as possible to process applications within the 12 week timeframe and we will contact you if any further information is needed.

Contact us

If you require any further assistance with your Blue Badge application you can:

• email bluebadgeteam@suffolk.gov.uk
• call 0808 800 4005

Please post expired badges to:

A Blue Badge holder has died

If a Blue Badge needs to be returned because the holder had died, please let us know as soon as possible.

Report the death of a Blue Badge holder

Contact us

If you require any further assistance with your Blue Badge application you can:

• email bluebadgeteam@suffolk.gov.uk
• call 0808 800 4005

Contact us as soon as possible if your badge is lost or stolen by completing our online form. 

If your badge is found after you have reported it lost or stolen, it can no longer be used and should be posted to the Blue Badge Team:

A replacement badge will be considered once we have validated details of your old one. We do not accept responsibility for any expenses you may incur as a result of not having your badge for a period of time. The decision to issue or refuse a replacement Blue Badge rests with us. 

We work closely with other local authorities and parking services to reduce Blue Badge misuse. Old badge details will be passed to parking enforcement teams, who have access to a central database and may wish to make further enquiries.

Suffolk County Council is committed to protecting your privacy and will treat your personal data in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and subsequent, revised UK data protection law. Read our Blue Badge privacy notice for more information.

Changing the badge details 

Let us know if you have moved address or changed your name using our online form.

Contact us

If you require any further assistance with your Blue Badge application you can:

• email bluebadgeteam@suffolk.gov.uk
• call 0808 800 4005

Your appeal must include new information from a Health Care Professional detailing your condition/s and how this/these impact your mobility. Please send us your reasons in writing within 1 calendar month of the date of your refusal letter with any additional supporting information.

The application will be reviewed and, we may ask you to attend an appointment with our independent mobility assessor (if we have not done so already).

Contact us

If you require any further assistance with your Blue Badge application you can:

• email bluebadgeteam@suffolk.gov.uk
• call 0808 800 4005

Blue Badge scheme rules

See guidance about your rights and responsibilities as a Blue Badge holder. 

Disabled spaces in the UK

Parkopedia, lists all the car parks in the UK, letting you check before you travel if there are parking areas for disabled people.

Using your Blue Badge in Europe and other countries 

You should always check if you are able to use your Blue Badge in the country you are visiting before travelling. 

Using your non-European Blue Badge in the UK 

We recommend that you contact the parking enforcement teams of the district and borough councils in the areas you will be visiting. They will be able to tell you if you can use the badge in the areas they are responsible for.

Contact us

If you require any further assistance with your Blue Badge application you can:

• email bluebadgeteam@suffolk.gov.uk
• call 0808 800 4005

You may be asked to attend an Independent Mobility Assessment either in person or over the phone as part of the application process. This may also be referred to as an Expert Assessment.

Please note that we share application data with our partner, Access Independent to obtain an unbiased assessment of eligibility for a Blue Badge. This data sharing underpins our application process. We do not share information about individuals without consent unless the law and our policies allow us to do so.

We share information securely. Anyone who receives information from us is legally required to keep it confidential. Find out what information the Blue Badge service collects and uses, and your rights regarding your information in the Blue Badge privacy notice.

Find out what information the Blue Badge service collects and uses, and your rights regarding your information in the Blue Badge privacy notice.