Blue badge scheme

Find out more about the blue badge scheme and how to apply

The aim of the scheme is to help disabled people with severe mobility problems to access goods and services, by allowing them to park close to their destination. The scheme is open to eligible disabled people irrespective of whether they are travelling as a driver or as a passenger.

You will be eligible for a badge if you:

  • Receive the Higher Rate of the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance; or
  • Receive 8 points or more under the ‘Moving Around’ activity of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment; or
  • Receive the mobility component of PIP and have obtained 10 points specifically for Descriptor E under the “planning and following journeys” activity, on the grounds that you are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress​; or 
  • ​Are registered blind (severely sight impaired); or
  • Receive a War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement or
  • Have been both awarded a lump sum benefit at tariffs 1-8 of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and certified as having a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.
     

You may be eligible for a badge if you:

  • Drive a vehicle regularly, have a severe disability in both arms and you are unable to operate, or have considerable difficulty in operating, all or some types of parking meter; or
  • Have been certified by an expert assessor as having an enduring and substantial disability which causes you, during the course of a journey, to:
    • ​Be unable to walk;
    • Experience very considerable difficulty whilst walking, which may include very considerable psychological distress; or
    • Be at risk of serious harm when walking; or pose, when walking, a risk of serious harm to any other person.​

In addition, children under the age of three may be eligible for a badge if they fall within either or both of the following descriptions:

  • A child who, on account of a condition, must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried around with the child without great difficulty;
  • A child who, on account of a condition, must always be kept near a motor vehicle so that, if necessary, treatment for that condition can be given in the vehicle or the child can be taken quickly in the vehicle to a place where such treatment can be given​.

Blue Badge Enquiries

​The Blue Badge team will process applications on a daily basis.  You will normally receive a response about your application within 7 days.  If you do not receive a response within this period, please contact our customer services team by calling 01642 774774.

For information about how to use your Blue Badge, please visit the GOV.UK website.​