Has Anyone Recently Renewed Their Blue Badge?

[anotheoldgit]

Apparently it is done via one's computer now and takes over 1 hour to complete, even though they know all the answers to the numerous questions they ask you.

[Old_Geezer]

It's a test. If you can get through it, then clearly you aren't disabled enough to have one.

[Barsel]

Where have you heard that aog?

[jordyboy14]

This is something that really annoys me people who abuse the system like sons and daughters using their parents badge I would advocate for a complete overhaul of the blue badge system

[EcclesCake]

'Even though they know all the answers to the numerous questions they ask you'. So an individuals circumstances never change? Righto!

[hc4361]

I've just looked at my local authority's website for renewing a blue badge. I can be done online but one still has to attend the office to have identity checked and photo taken - and to pay the £10 fee. The badge is then posted out.
The online form is three pages long - the first for name, address and expiry date of blue badge.
The second page is tick box of 4 questions regarding eligibility.
The third page is tick box of mandatory declarations and finally the signature.

It should take no more than five minutes to complete - realistically it will be quicker than that

[anotheoldgit]

jordyboy14

They do contain the owner's photo, if in doubt traffic wardens etc can ask to see it and if it doesn't tally with the holder then those responsible face a heavy fine and the owner can be disqualified from the scheme.

[THECORBYLOON]

Other folk can drive the car but the disabled person has to be using the car too.

[anotheoldgit]

hc4361
You are wrong, it can all be done on line and one has to download a recent pass port type photo and it tells one that it will take over 1 hour to complete the full questioner, I know I did mine yesterday.

[anotheoldgit]

THECORBYLOON

Correct.

[douglas9401]

Must be an 'England & Wales' thing, we still do it via human contact up here.

AOG, I recently took a Health & Safety test online which said to allow six hours to complete. It took one.
The people who design that kind of thing make allowances for all abilities so as not to offend the less gifted. :)

[hc4361]

Okay - that is the system in your local authority, not mine.

If you did yours yesterday then why did you start your post with 'apparently'?

Which local authority do you come under?

[Davemano]

Any use of the vehicle which is on behalf of the holder is allowed, so you could 'go shopping' on behalf of the holder who does not necessarily have to be present. This leaves the scheme wide open to abuse.

[anotheoldgit]

Davemano
That's new to me, have you got any details of that please?

[hc4361]

Dave, that is true of use of the car that is zero tax due to the disabled tax status. It is not true of using the blue badge when the disabled person must be present to use it.

[Davemano]

This was discussed at some length a week or so since, and my post is how I understood the position. Will try to find the thread.

[albaqwerty]

just a quick query, do counsellors who have a blue badge need to be disabled themselves in order to drive disabled clients to appointments?

[douglas9401]

Not 100% sure Davemano, but I think there's confusion between Blue Badge and Motability car use rules in your post re the named person being present.

[hc4361]

When someone else can use your badge

You can only let someone else use your badge if:

you’re in the car with them
they’re picking you up or dropping you off, and they need to park close to where you need to go
If someone else is driving you, you must let them know the rules - otherwise the council can ask for your badge back.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/help-for-disabled-travellers1/blue-badge-scheme/using-your-blue-badge/

[dannyk13]

Dave, extract from my rule book for blue badges:-
"do not allow other people to use the badge to do something on your behalf, such as shopping or collecting something for you, unless you are travelling with them"

[hc4361]

Alba, I don't know of any councillors being given blue badges when they are not disabled.
A person does not have to be a driver or a car owner to have a blue badge - it can be used in any vehicle the disabled person is in, including taxis and private hire cars.