Blue Badge Scheme

The Blue Badge Scheme provides a national arrangement of parking concessions for:

• people with severe walking difficulties
• registered blind
• people with very severe upper limb disabilities who are unable to turn by hand the steering wheel even if that wheel is fitted with a turning knob
• who travel either as drivers or passengers.

The badge holder is permitted to park in areas normally subject to restrictions and this benefits those who are unable to walk great distances.

How can you apply for a Blue Badge?

If you would like to apply for a Blue Badge, please get in touch with East Lothian Council using the contact details at the bottom of this page and we will send you an application form.

You must include two up to date colour, not black and white, passport sized photographs of yourself when you return your completed application form to us.

If you require assistance completing the form, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01620 827974 or email transportation@eastlothian.gov.uk

If you require an up to date awars letter then this can be obtained by calling the DWP on 0845 712 3456.

Charges and paying online

Blue badges applied for on or after 1 July 2010 will be subject to a £20 administration charge. This charge will apply to new, renewed and replacement blue badges (if the original was lost or stolen and reported to the police).

When returning your form please enclose a cheque for £20. If you are unable to provide a cheque you can pay by cash in person by coming along to the Environment Reception at John Muir House, Haddington EH41 3HA where a receipt will be issued. Please DO NOT send cash with a postal application.

To pay online for your blue badge click on the link and select 'transportation payments'. This is a secure system and only authorised personnel may access.

Using your Blue Badge in Europe

The Blue Badge is recognised in all European countries. Displaying it on the dashboard allows you to take advantage of the same parking concessions allowed for the country's own citizens with a disability.

Concessions differ from country to country, so it's important to check where, when and for how long you can park in each country.

You can find more information about this in the AA's publication European Parking Card for People with Disabilities.