Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
 

You are currently in: Blue Badges

Blue Badges

24 January 2019

What is a Blue Badge?

A Blue Badge helps those with physical disabilities to be able to park closer to their destination.

You can apply for one yourself, on behalf of another person or for your organisation.

You don't have to own a vehicle to apply. You can apply if you're a driver, or if your travel as a passenger.

Who can apply for a Blue Badge?

Before you apply, you must check that you are eligible for a Blue Badge.

Check if you are eligible for a Blue Badge



You’re automatically eligible for a Blue Badge if you:

  • are registered severely sight impaired

  • get the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance

  • get Personal Independence Payment Mobility Component and your 'moving around” score is 8 or more

  • get War Pensioners Mobility Supplement

  • have received a lump sum benefit from the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme (tariffs 1-8) and have certification of having a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty walking

You may be eligible for a Blue Badge if you:

  • are unable to walk, or have considerable difficulty in walking

  • have a severe disability in both arms and are unable to operate all or some types of parking meters

  • have a child under 3 years of age who has a medical condition and needs to be near a vehicle at all times. This is so that they can be treated in the vehicle or quickly driven to receive treatment or need to travel with bulky medical equipment

  • are terminally ill with a progressive disease and are not expected to live for more than 12 months

People with hidden disabilities

The Department for Transport (DfT) have not at this point in time provided final confirmation of the new guidance for the amended eligibility criteria regarding hidden disabilities, or when this change to the criteria will come into effect. As and when this information is provided, we will update our website and application procedures accordingly. Please check this page in the future for any updates.

Any Blue Badge applications made prior to the new legislation and national guidance being implemented will continue to be assessed against the existing criteria.

How to use your Blue Badge

Visit GOV.UK to see your rights and responsibilities as a blue badge holder. This includes:

  • where you can and can't park

  • using your badge abroad

Important things to remember

  • Your Blue Badge must be displayed on top of the dashboard of the vehicle

  • The side showing the wheelchair symbol must face forward so the expiry date can be seen from outside the vehicle