Introduction
A Blue Badge helps you to park close to your destination, either as a passenger or driver. A badge holder can park for free:
- in allocated disabled bays and on the road
- in any car park for the maximum stay (in line with terms and conditions on display)
- on single or double yellow lines for up to 3 hours.
The scheme is operated in Kent by Kent County Council (KCC)
Apply for or renew a Blue Badge
You can apply for a Blue Badge online or by post. You can do this for yourself, for someone else, or as an organisation.
Remember, if you have a Blue Badge, make sure you apply in plenty of time before it expires. It can take up to 4 months to process your application
Before your badge expires, KCC will email you 4 months before. They’ll use the address from your last application. If you do not have an email address KCC contact you by text or post.
Apply online
The easiest way to apply is online. Don’t forget to upload all the documents needed.
Apply by post
To request a paper application either:
Email bluebadgeteam@kent.gov.uk
Phone 03000 41 62 62
Post your completed paper application to The Blue Badge Service, Kent County Council Contact Centre, Invicta House, County Hall, Maidstone ME14 1XX.
Please let KCC know an email address in your application to speed up paying for your Blue Badge.
What happens next
KCC send you a confirmation email within 24 hours of applying online. In the email, you will get your 8-digit application number. Make sure you check your spam, junk or other folder.
If you can’t see the email, complete this enquiry form.
Assessing your application
Qualified independent assessors look at your Blue Badge application, not your general health. Sometimes they need to ask you for either a face to face or a telephone assessment.
Learn more about the assessment process and reasons why KCC might refuse your application.
Current timescales
Current application timescales are up to:
- 4 months for those being assessed by our team
- 4 weeks for those who meet the automatic eligibility criteria.
Using your Blue Badge
It’s your responsibility to know how, when, and where to use your Blue Badge. The Blue Badge is linked to you rather than a car. This means you can use it in any car, whether you’re a driver or a passenger.
You must:
- display it in the car clearly
- make sure it’s in date
- be the only person using it.
It is an offence if you:
- allow other people to use your badge
- do not report a lost Blue Badge.
If your badge is lost, stolen, expired, or withdrawn for misuse, KCC will cancel it.
Get to know your badge rights and responsibilities (including easy read). If you do not drive, anyone who will be driving you as a passenger must know this information.
Parking restrictions and disabled parking bays
- Generally you can park on a single or double yellow line for up to three hours. You must display your clock with the time of arrival.
- Parking on double yellow lines in a car park is not permitted.
- Only stop and park on a restriction if it safe to do so and you do not cause an obstruction to other road users.
- You must not park on a yellow line that has a loading restriction in place (yellow kerb blips).
- You must not park in designated parking bays other than a disabled bay, for example, a police bay, taxi bay, loading bay (unless you are loading/unloading) or bus stops.
Car Parks that use ANPR will not recognise your Blue Badge unless you make a separate application to the local authority
In Ashford
In order for you to benefit from the three hours free parking offered in car parks you need to register your blue badge You will need to upload a copy of your badge as part of this process and identify the main vehicles in which the badge might be displayed (these details can be changed in the same way). If parked in a disabled bay in Elwick Place car park you must display your blue badge in your vehicle.
If no disabled bay is available in the car park you may park in any standard bay and still benefit from three hours free parking. You need to display your blue badge and time clock, set to the time of arrival.
In Canterbury
You must create an account before you enter an ANPR car park for the first time, and then register your badge online to get the three free hours in the ANPR car parks.
You can register up to two vehicles against your badge. Each time you park, make sure that the vehicle you’re using is marked as the primary vehicle. You can change this in your account.
If you are using your badge, please make sure it’s clearly visible on the dashboard of your vehicle.
Register for Blue Badge parking
If you already have a council account you can log in to add your vehicle details.
In Folkestone & Hythe
If you park in Sandgate Road Car Park, Blue Badge holders can scan their badge at the terminal, or register for the Autobill platform for 3 hours free parking and a 12-month trial automatic barrier exit.
In Dover
Council car parks
- Park free of charge for up to three hours or the maximum stay allowed
- You may use any bay, including specially-marked wide disabled parking bays
- Do not park on double yellow lines within car parks.
On-street parking
- Park without time limit and free of charge in pay and display areas and limited waiting areas
Dartford Crossing
In most cases, you have to apply in advance to get a concession.
Check Dartford Bridge restrictions.
In London
Before you travel to London, you must, register with Transport for London. It’s also a good idea to learn about where you can park before you travel.
Exemption from vehicle tax
Did you know you may be exempt from paying vehicle tax? If you are either:
- a disabled driver or,
- you have a certain type of vehicle.
Find out if you are exempt by visiting GOV.UK vehicle tax webpage.
Last Updated on April 23, 2026 by Ashford Advice