What we have done

The Blue Badge Scheme was introduced by regulations made under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 (see 'Legislation' section).

The blue badge replaced the original orange badge which was phased out in March 2003. The new blue design has been adopted by European Union Member States to enable disabled people to enjoy the concessions provided in the host country by displaying the badge issued under their own national scheme.

A public consultation on the Scheme was undertaken in 2002 and resulted in 47 recommendations from the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee. The majority of these recommendations have since been implemented, for example, in October 2007 the Scheme was extended to children under two, with specific medical conditions and the design of the Blue Badge was changed to help prevent fraud and abuse of the Scheme. At the same time, a new public advice booklet for Badge holders was published, together with a new information leaflet (see “Publications and other resources” section).

In January 2008 the Department for Transport issued new guidance to English local authorities on administering and enforcing the Scheme and launched a new ‘Centres of Excellence fund’ to improve the administration and enforcement of the Scheme (see “Information for local authorities” section).

Longer term reform of the Scheme is also underway. A short strategic review of the Scheme was conducted by an independent consultant between May and September of 2007. The review findings are helping to inform the planned publication on a comprehensive Blue Badge Reform strategy in spring 2008 (see the "What are we doing to reform the scheme?" section below).