Parking permits (blue badge)
Information about the Blue European Badge Scheme, how to apply for a badge and where you can park.
Important information:
Applications for a Blue Badge received after 1 January 2012 will be processed by Solihull Council and once approved, be printed and dispatched by the national Blue Badge printing centre.
Customers will no longer be able to have their badge issued at one of our Connect Walk-In Centres.
Please read further information on the new Blue Badge service.
Disabled parking badges are issued to people who have a permanent and substantial physical disability which significantly affects their ability to mobilise. The definition of this is:
"Permanent" - there is no possibility of recovery or rehabilitation.
"substantial" - where you are only able to walk with extreme difficulty or with excessive pain, which limits walking to a distance of 80 metres. This affect on your mobility must significantly impair your ability to carry out essential activities needed for daily living.
Disabled badges are issued for a period of 3 years. If you have previously been granted a badge by Solihull Council, you will receive a renewal application form 6 weeks before your badge is due to expire.
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
- receive entitle to the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)
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 three 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 apply for a Blue Badge?
Online
The most convenient way to apply for a blue badge is to do so online on direct.gov.uk.
Solihull Council will still need to assess and approve all new and renewal applications and have responsibility for checking identity, proof of address and any evidence requirements.
Postal Applications
If you wish to apply by post, an application form can be downloaded from the top right of this page. Before completing the application form, please ensure you read the accompanying guidance notes.
Once completed, your application can be posted to the following address:
Solihull Connect Contact Centre
SMBC Offices
West Mall
Chelmsley Wood
Solihull
B37 5TN
Walk-In Centre
You may also apply for a Blue Badge by visiting one of our Connect Walk-In Centres.
If you are planning to apply at one of our Walk-In Centres, we can take your required photographs for an additional cost of £4 (Excluding Balsall Common).
Contact Details
For more information contact Solihull Connect
Telephone: 0121 704 6000
Email: bluebadges@solihull.gov.uk