Blue Badge holders can renew their permit months before it expires without losing any of the time left on their existing badge. Those due to renew their Blue Badge this year are urged to start the process early to avoid accidentally letting their permit expire.
The key point is that renewing early does not mean your new badge will start immediately. Instead, the new badge will begin the day after your current one expires. This means there is no need to wait until the last minute to renew, and applying early can give drivers peace of mind that their new permit will be in place when their old one expires.
Guidance on when to apply
Guidance in Scotland and Wales advises Blue Badge holders to reapply around 12 weeks before their current badge expires. England's guidance says people should reapply some weeks before the badge expires, but it doesn't use the same 12-week wording in the renewal section. However, nothing prevents eligible holders from starting the process sooner.
In Great Britain, the renewal process can be completed online. Applicants will need details of their existing badge, personal information and documents confirming their identity, address and eligibility where required.
Cost and delivery
Once the application has been processed, successful applicants will receive an email with instructions on paying the fee to their local council. In England, it costs up to £10, and in Scotland, a Blue Badge costs £20. It is free in Wales.
The new badge will then be ordered and should arrive within 10 working days, according to the confirmation sent to applicants. You will receive a confirmation email from the Department for Work and Transport.
What the confirmation email includes
The email should include: name of your local authority issuing the badge, badge number, badge start date and badge expiry date.
Blue Badges are not renewed automatically. Holders must reapply every three years and their eligibility is checked each time they apply.
Expired badge fines
Displaying an expired badge could result in a fine of up to £1,000. This is because displaying an out-of-date Blue Badge is considered 'misuse'. It is important not to continue displaying an expired badge. Transport Scotland warns misuse is a crime and can lead to prosecution.
So, if your Blue Badge is due to expire before the end of the year, starting the renewal process now could help ensure there is no gap between your old permit expiring and the new one arriving.
