Millions of Blue Badge holders can keep their permit valid beyond its expiry date and avoid a potential £1,000 fine by using a little-known renewal trick.
The UK Government recently confirmed that 90% of all Blue Badge applications are now submitted through the online service. Those due to renew this year may not know that starting the process early guarantees a seamless changeover from the old badge to the new one, keeping the permit valid at all times.
How the early renewal trick works
Badge holders are advised to begin the renewal process 12 weeks before the expiry date. Failing to renew before expiry could result in a £1,000 fine if the badge is still displayed once it has lapsed.
Displaying an out-of-date Blue Badge is considered misuse. It is a criminal offence and can lead to the badge being confiscated as well as a financial penalty.
However, it is possible to renew considerably earlier than required, as the start date of the new badge is set to the day after the current one expires. This means that if you forget to renew closer to the deadline, your badge will still remain valid.
What happens after you apply online
Once you complete the renewal process online — providing details of your existing Blue Badge, personal information and eligibility criteria — you will receive an email confirming whether your application has been successful. If successful, the email also contains instructions on how to make the Blue Badge payment to your local council.
The payment is £10 in England, £20 in Scotland, and free in Wales.
After payment, you will receive a follow-up email from the Department for Work and Transport confirming that your Blue Badge has been ordered and will arrive within 10 working days. The email also includes the name of your local authority issuing the badge, the start and expiry dates, and your badge number.
Eligibility reassessed on renewal
If your Blue Badge is due to expire before the end of this year, you can renew it now and avoid the risk of forgetting or facing a fine.
Eligibility for a Blue Badge is reassessed each time a renewal application is submitted. The eligibility criteria were broadened in 2019 to include individuals with non-visible disabilities such as Parkinson's, dementia and epilepsy, helping more people to park closer to their destinations when travelling as either a driver or a passenger.
