Blue Badge Scheme
A national parking permit for people with severe mobility problems or hidden disabilities. Blue Badges allow parking on single and double yellow lines for up to 3 hours in England.
Key Facts
- Costs up to £10 in England (£20 in Scotland, free in Wales)
- Valid for up to 3 years, then must be renewed
- Can be used in any vehicle you are travelling in as a passenger or driver
- Automatic entitlement for some — PIP enhanced mobility, DLA higher rate mobility, certain war pensions
- Hidden disabilities may now qualify — including dementia, anxiety, autism and brain injuries
- Apply via your local council — online at GOV.UK
Who Qualifies Automatically?
You automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA, 8 points or more in the 'moving around' category of PIP, or the enhanced rate of PIP mobility. You also qualify automatically if you have a severe arm disability and regularly drive, have been certified as severely sight impaired, or receive War Pensioner's mobility supplement.
Who May Qualify After Assessment?
If you do not qualify automatically, you may still qualify if you cannot walk, find walking very difficult due to pain or breathlessness, have a risk of serious harm if you walk more than a short distance, or have a hidden disability that means you cannot follow unfamiliar routes or cope with road safety without another person's help.
Hidden disabilities now explicitly included in some councils' criteria include dementia, anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and acquired brain injuries.
How to Apply
Apply online at GOV.UK — search 'Apply for a Blue Badge'. You will need a photo, proof of identity, proof of address, and evidence of your condition (such as letters from your GP or consultant, or your PIP/DLA award letter). The council may invite you for an assessment before deciding.
If you are refused, ask for the reasons in writing and consider appealing. You can also reapply if your condition worsens.
Where Can You Park?
With a Blue Badge, you can park on single and double yellow lines (for up to 3 hours in England unless signs say otherwise), in disabled parking bays, and often for free or longer periods in Pay and Display car parks. Rules vary slightly in London. The badge must be displayed clearly on the dashboard with the expiry date and clock card visible when using time-limited concessions.