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) has confirmed that from early 2019, people with hidden disabilities including autism and mental health conditions, will be able to apply for a Blue Badge. To find out more, visit the DfT website and consultation summary document. 

Further clarification on eligibility and how this will be assessed, in line with the new criteria, will be issued in due course.

Applications made before the new guidelines come into force 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