Apply for, or renew a Blue Badge

This page is for individuals applying for a Blue Badge. If you are an organisation, visit Blue Badges for organisations. 

Blue Badges allow people with long-term disabilities and mobility challenges to park closer to their destination. Badge holders can park for free and without time limits in:

• any permitted parking or paid-for bays
• limited-period waiting zones
• red routes in designated spaces

They can also park for up to 3 hours on single or double yellow lines. You cannot park on single or double yellow lines if they cross:

• loading bays
• stopping bays
• footway parking bays
• bus stops

You will receive a booklet when your Blue Badge is issued. This explains how to display your badge and where you can use it.

Who is eligble

Adults and children can apply for a Blue Badge if they have a long-term disability or a condition affecting their mobility. 

The application will ask about your condition and will require supporting evidence.

You will not be eligible if your condition or disability is temporary.

Read guidance on who is eligible for a Blue Badge on GOV.UK.

The guidelines

It is your responsibility to use your Blue Badge correctly.

See GOV. UK for more details about the rules and responsibilities when using your Blue Badge.

A Blue Badge must only be displayed for the person stated in the application. Another person using the Blue Badge is considered a misuse and could potentially lead to the Blue Badge being taken away. Find out more on Blue Badge fraud.

What you need to apply

You will need to provide the following supporting information with your application.

Proof of identity

For adults

You can provide any one of the following:

• driving licence
• passport
• birth or adoption certificate
• marriage or divorce certificate

For children

You can provide either one of the following:

• passport
• birth or adoption certificate

Proof of address

For adults

You can provide any one of the following:

• council tax bill
• utility bill
• tenancy agreement
• government letters (for example, DWP, HMRC)
• driving licence (issued within the last year)
• repeat prescription from a GP or pharmacy

For children

You can provide either one of the following:

• government letters (for example, DWP naming the child, or NHS letter)
• repeat prescription from a GP or pharmacy

Passport photo of the badge holder

You will need a recent digital photo showing your head and shoulders with a plain background, taken in the last 6 months.

Providing medical information

Please provide relevant medical information showing how your condition affects mobility:

• a letter of diagnosis
• up-to-date evidence of the progression of the condition over time. Confirmation of ongoing treatments, clinic attendances or referrals
• evidence of specialist consultations, or referrals
• evidence of prescribed medication relevant to your condition
• your patient summary or summary care records
• care plans from social care teams
• social housing letters or assessment reports from a local authority
• letters from other professionals involved in your care
• Educational Health and Care Plan (EHCP) 

For walking or mobility issues we require evidence that shows one of the following:

• you cannot walk at all
• you can only walk short distances unaided
• the effort needed to walk would be life-threatening or cause serious damage to your health

You can visit the NHS website to download a copy of your medical history to support your application.

Do not ask your GP for a supporting letter. Please do not send appointment letters, we need to see the outcome of the appointment.

How much it costs

The Blue Badge costs £10, you only have to pay for this when your application has been accepted.

How long an application takes

The process for reaching our decision on your Blue Badge application can be found in our concessionary travel assessment policy.

Typical processing times for applications are as follows:

• terminal illness: 1 week
• renewals: 2 weeks
• all other Blue Badge applications: 22 weeks

Do not make multiple applications, this does not speed up the process. Applications cannot be fast-tracked except for terminally ill applicants, or if the applicant has been diagnosed with cancer.

If you have waited longer than the estimated time, contact travel.service@croydon.gov.uk. 

How to apply 

Important: only apply through GOV.UK. Do not use unofficial sites which may charge higher fees for applying. 

If you are unable to apply through GOV.UK, you can request a paper form by emailing your name and address to travel.service@croydon.gov.uk. 

Your application will take longer to process if you do not provide the necessary supporting evidence.

Apply for a Blue Badge on GOV.UK

Renew your Blue Badge

You should apply to renew 3 months before your current badge is due to expire. You cannot use the new badge until the current one has expired.

The renewal form for a Blue Badge is the same as a new application.

Renew your Blue Badge on GOV.UK

You must return your expired Blue Badge to the address provided on this page.

If your application is refused

You have the right to appeal a refused application. We will write to you explaining the reasons, along with information on how to request a review and appeal the decision.

Find more information on our review and appeal process.

Contact us

You must provide the applicant's full name, address, and date of birth in all correspondence.

By email: 

travel.service@croydon.gov.uk.

By post:

Travel services
Croydon Council
Floor 3, Bernard Weatherill House
8 Mint Walk
Croydon
CR0 1EA

By phone:

0208 726 7100. Select option 1 for parking, then option 4 for travel services.