Parking permits (blue badge)

Blue Badge Scheme

Information about the Blue European Badge Scheme (previously Orange), how to apply for a badge and where you can park.

The disabled parking badges are issued to people who have a permanent and substantial physical disability which affects their walking and mobility. The definition of this is:

"Permanent" - there is no possibility of development or rehabilitation.

"substantial" - where you are only able to walk with extreme difficulty and at an extremely slow pace or with excessive pain and generally no more than 50 metres in distance. This affect on your mobility must significantly limit your ability to carry out essential activities needed for daily living.

Being frail through old age does not make you eligible for a disabled parking badge.

Disabled parking badges are issued for three years. If we gave you your previous badge we will write to you approximately six weeks before your badge is about to expire to remind you to reapply for a new one.

Automatic entitlement

You are automatically entitled to a disabled parking badge if you:

• are getting the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA.
• are registered blind (NOT partially sighted),
• are in receipt of a War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement.

You must show proof that you receive these benefits when you apply for the badge.

Discretionary badges

If you do not have an automatic entitlement to a Blue Badge you may be able to have a discretionary badge.

You may be eligible for a discretionary parking badge if you:

• Have a permanent and substantial disability which means you cannot walk, or have very considerable difficulty in walking.
• Have Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, terminal cancer or any other obvious physical or degenerative physical disability.
• Have a severe disability in both arms which may stop you being able to use parking meters and pay & display machines.
• Have a child under two suffering a medical condition requiring immediate access to a vehicle so that they can be treated or be taken quickly to a place they can be treated.

If any of these apply to you we will need medical information to support your application.

How do I get a Blue Badge?

Please read the guidance notes fully. These can be found on the right of this page.

Everyone applying for a Blue Badge must complete the application form which can be found on the right of this page. When you have completed the form, either post it to us or bring it into one of our Solihull Connect offices or to Chelmsley Wood library.

‘Automatic’ issue’ – If you are eligible for this type of badge you can call into one of our Solihull Connect offices and they will sort your badge while you wait.

To do this we need:

• Evidence that you are receiving the benefit.
• Two recently taken, colour passport size photographs of yourself. Please make sure that you have signed the back of both photographs.
  If you do not have these photographs we can take them for you when we issue your badge. There will be a charge further of £2 for this service.
• The £2 badge issue fee.
• If your badge is an automatic renewal, you must bring the old one along with you.
• Proof of identity (see guidance notes)

If you decide to post your completed form to us you must send:

• Photocopies of the evidence that you are receiving the benefit.
• Two recently taken colour passport size photographs of yourself. Please make sure you have signed the back of both photographs.
• Cheque or postal order for £2 made payable to Solihull MBC
• Proof of identity (see guidance notes)

Do not send cash or any original documents to us in the post.

Postal Applications

Solihull Connect Contact Centre,
3610 Parkside,
Birmingham Business Park,
Solihull,
B37 7YG
Tel: 0121 704 6000

Where to get your Blue Badge

Solihull Connect Walk-In Centre
Ground Floor, Library Square, Solihull, West Midlands, B91 3RG

Solihull Connect Walk-In Centre
Shirley Police Station, 286 Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands B90 3AR

Solihull Connect (based in Chelmsley Wood Area Housing Office)
6/8 Coppice Way, Chelmsley Wood, Solihull, B37 5TS

Chelmsley Wood Library
The Library, Stephenson Drive, Solihull, West Midlands, B37 5TA

Solihull Connect (Balsall Common Library) Thursdays 10am - 2pm only
Balsall Common Library, 283 Kenilworth Road, Balsall Common, West Midlands, CV7 7EL

Contact Details

For more information contact Solihull Connect

Telephone: 0121 704 6000

Email: bluebadges@solihull.gov.uk