The People's Republic of South Devon

If you have difficulties walking, standing or need to use sticks to move around it might be worth applying for a disabled blue badge under a national council-run scheme which allows vehicles displaying these to park in special disabled parking bays. You can also park on double yellow lines for up to three hours.

You also qualify for a disabled blue badge if you receive the Higher Rate of the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance, you are registered blind, or receive a War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement.

Devon residents of working age can apply for a badge over the telephone by calling the Disability Information Service on 0845 1551 005. The operator will fill in a form on the applicant’s behalf over the telephone.

Questions about walking ability, general health and medication are covered in this session which usually takes around 10 minutes. You can get the names of all the drugs currently on your prescription list from your GP.

After the form has been completed the form will be sent back to you for you to check over and sign. You then return the form to them together with one passport style photograph and the application is complete. There is no cost for blue badge applications in Devon and it should take five working days to process your application.

Your badge will normally last for three years and you will be sent a renewal notice at least six weeks before the expiry date of your badge.

Most shopping centres, surgeries and other public places have designated parking bays for disabled blue badge holders. In council-run car parks blue badge holders can park for free, but in most privately run shopping centres disabled people will still have to pay to park in a disabled parking bay.

Extra information on blue badges can be found on this blue badge pdf and at the Devon County Council website.

For retired people applying for a blue badge:
* Applicants over retirement age can call Care Direct on: 0845 155 1007
* Processing period for the badge is two weeks for those over retirement age.
* Other people can apply on behalf of the applicant if applicants are unable to apply themselves

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