DISCLAIMER:
This duty is currently under review and has not yet been formally signed off by the relevant professional association. The information provided is for reference only and should not be treated as final or authoritative guidance. Please verify any decisions against approved sources or seek professional advice. Updates will be published once sign-off is complete.
Simple terms explainer
Councils are responsible for running and managing the Blue Badge scheme. This means they handle everything from processing applications for people who need a badge due to mobility issues, to deciding who qualifies, issuing the badges, and making sure they’re used properly. Councils also deal with renewals, lost or stolen badges, and can withdraw a badge if it’s being misused. They follow national rules set by the Scottish Government and use a central system called the Blue Badge Digital Service (BBDS) to keep everything consistent across the country.
Legal status
Statutory
Duty category
Community services
Roads and transport
Duty type
Public facing
Social determinant of health
Health and social care
Emerging policy and legislation
1
Bodies with shared interest
Transport Scotland
Improvement Service
Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)
Standards and frameworks
2
Transformation activity
Identified need for change
The application process differs across councils, reflecting local approaches and priorities. These variations can result in differences in how applications are assessed, scored, and processed—including replacement costs for lost or stolen badges and eligibility decisions.
Manual data entry between systems can be time-intensive and may occasionally lead to errors. Staff sometimes need to follow up with applicants when optional fields are left blank, which adds to the workload. For “Risk in Traffic” applications, the current paper-based process presents an opportunity for digital improvement.
Vision for improvement
- Consistency and clarity across council areas
- Improved processing time
- Improved customer satisfaction
- Enhanced efficiency and time savings