Blue Badge

[jennyjoan]

you know the blue badge disabled people can get for their cars - I called into see a friend this afternoon and she really doesn't walk very well at all.

Anyway she doesn't drive but somebody must have told her this that she could apply for a blue badge for friends' cars who sometimes take her maybe out for a meal or a show etc.

She said she applied about 8 weeks ago but hasn't heard anything - will she really be able to get this even tho she doesn't drive.

Thanks for any answers

[Buenchico]

To get a blue badge, she needs to meet one of the eligibility criteria here:
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/blue-badge-eligibility-criteria#toc-1
(It's probably the last one that applies to your friend).

However, as long as she meets such a criterion, she's entitled to a blue badge irrespective of whether she drives or not. (You'll see that one criterion for getting a blue badge is being registered blind and there probably aren't many such people with driving licences!)

That's further confirmed in the 'rights and responsibilities' section here:
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/rights-and-responsibilities-blue-badge-holders

[maggiebee]

Two of my friends have blue badges although neither drive. They use them when family members take them out shopping etc.

[barry1010]

Children can get blue badges, too.

[jennyjoan]

thanks for replies

[roopower]

Haven't read other answers but I have recently got a blue badge, it is mine, not my cars so if I am a passenger any driver can use it but only if I am in the car.

[jennyjoan]

yes - I read that Roopower - that came up somewhere in a conversation.

Like I wouldn't have known that because that if a person has a blue badge - the badge would need that car's registration but obviously am wrong.

Hope she gets it anyway. Thanks

[sadielady]

In my area the current wait time for a new blue badge is 10 - 12 weeks, same for a renewal. She may also have to go for an assessment so the wait will be longer

[roopower]

I was lucky with mine, told 10 to 12 weeks but it was a lot quicker. The form was complicated and asked lots of in depth questions about my health but I didn't need an assessment. You do not have to provide any details about the car, Jenny, just an awful photo of yourself!

[Peter Pedant]

yes
I do ( one eyed and fall over, walk into dustbins)

[Peter Pedant]

no it is personal
so you can use it in someone else's car
but of course you have to be in it
( they can eg shop for you)
AND
you must expect to be video'd
(I was OK until I fell off a curb)
AND
I was using mine, wivva dog. A traffic warden saw a cyclist reach inside and take the blue disc - and photographed it!
wow !
sort of - that is odd: a cyclist has no need of a blue disc. I think I will take a photo