Changes to Blue Badge scheme

27 September 2007

Changes to the Blue Badge scheme come into force on 15 October.

The changes include:

• extending the scheme to children under two who, because of their specific medical conditions, need to travel with bulky medical equipment or be close to a vehicle for emergency medical treatment. This will include children who suffer from hip dysplasia.
• Amending the design of the badge, including the addition of a hologram, to help prevent fraud and aid enforcement.
• extending the scheme to include people with severe disabilities in both arms who drive non-adapted vehicles regularly but are unable to operate parking meters, such as people with Thalidomide-related disabilities.

A review of the Blue Badge scheme is also currently being carried out with a 'comprehensive reform strategy' due to be published in April 2008 in order to make the scheme 'fairer, more consistently administered and easier to understand.'