Blue Badges for individuals
To apply for or renew your Blue Badge, please apply online using the national application form on GOV.UK:
Apply for a Blue Badge on GOV.UK
Access a visual guide on how to apply for a Blue Badge using the GOV.UK website.
There is a £10 charge for each Badge.
Non-visible (hidden) disabilities
If you are applying for a Blue Badge under the non-visible (hidden disability) criteria you will need to provide supporting evidence from your health or social care professional (not your GP).
You may be required to ask your healthcare professional to complete an Expert Assessment form as evidence of your disability.
The table below shows examples of assessors and conditions, it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of applicable conditions:
Expert assessor | Conditions |
|---|---|
Clinical psychologist | Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Asperger syndrome. |
Educational psychologist | Child and adolescent mental health for children with special educational and additional complex needs, Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Asperger syndrome. |
Gastroenterologist | Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel diseases |
Neurologist | Paediatric neurodisability, Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning problems, behavioural and associated mental health, seizures, epilepsy, amnesia, neuropathic pain. |
Occupational therapist | Wide range of conditions, most commonly difficulties due to mental health illness, physical or learning difficulties. Commonly facilitate independent mobility assessments on behalf of local authorities |
Physiotherapist | Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Huntington's disease, M.E. / CFS, major trauma. Transverse myelitis. Commonly facilitate independent mobility assessments on behalf of local authorities. |
Psychiatrist | Older peoples’ mental health applied health research and policy. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other complex mental health disorders in children, young people, adults. |
Rheumatologist
| Paediatric rheumatology, pain management, lupus, general rheumatology, inflammatory arthritis. |
Social worker
| Wide range of conditions, most commonly difficulties due to mental health illness, physical or learning difficulties. |
How long will it take?
Your application may take up to 8 weeks to be processed. This may be longer if you are invited for a mobility assessment.
Please be sure to include all the correct documents with your application. Details of what we need can be found on the national application form.
Blue Badges for organisations
An organisational badge may be issued to an organisation for use in a motor vehicle or vehicles when the vehicle or vehicles are to be used to carry disabled people who would themselves be eligible for a badge.
Examples of organisations that may be eligible include residential care homes, hospices or local authority social services departments that transport groups of people who would meet the eligibility criteria for an individual Blue Badge.
Renew or apply for your Organisational Blue Badge on the GOV.UK website using the national application form.
- New applications from organisations must download and complete a supplementary questionnaire (Word)
For more information email Blue.Badges@bedford.gov.uk.
Replacement applications
To replace lost badges applicants must pay the required £10 fee.
Report the loss of your Blue Badge by emailing Blue.Badges@bedford.gov.uk.
You will be asked to pay for your replacement badge using a debit/credit card.
Blue Badge not received
If you do not receive your Blue Badge within 28 days of making payment you must inform Bedford Borough Council by emailing Blue.Badges@bedford.gov.uk.
Failure to report the non-receipt of the badge within 28 days will result in you having to pay an additional administrative fee.
Until payment is received, a blue badge cannot be issued.
Do not send any payment with your application form.