The people who may automatically qualify for a Blue Badge - full list

If you have trouble walking because of a physical disability or health condition, or if you have a hidden condition such as like dementia, autism, or Parkinson’s, you might be able to get a Blue Badge. This badge lets you park your car closer to where you need to go.

You can use it for free parking in disabled spots and it might let you ignore some other parking rules – and can also be used in any car you are in such as taxis. The badge can be used in some other countries, but since Brexit, the UK is still in discussions with the EU on which countries will accept it, the DailyRecord reports.

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A Blue Badge costs up to £10 in England, £20 in Scotland and is free in Wales. They usually last up to 3 years and you must reapply for a Blue Badge before your current one expires.

It can take about 12 weeks to get one and the local council needs to check the application.

Transport Minister, Guy Opperman, previously said: “Applications to the Blue Badge scheme are not dependent upon condition but are based on the need of the applicant to park closer to their destination.

“People with degenerative medical conditions could receive a badge if they meet the eligibility criteria.

“It is for the relevant local authority to decide if an applicant is eligible for a Blue Badge. The Department has no plans to change the eligibility criteria.”

Here is what you need to know about getting a Blue Badge. The following advice applies for England with separate guidance for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Who can get a Blue Badge?

In some cases, you may automatically qualify for a Blue Badge and in others, your local council will assess your eligibility. This may include going to a mobility assessment and meeting a healthcare professional.

You will automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if you:

• you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• you receive a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) because you can’t walk more than 50 metres (a score of 8 points or more under the ‘moving around’ activity of the mobility component)
• you are registered blind (severely sight impaired)
• you receive a War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
• you have received a lump sum benefit within tariff levels 1 to 8 of the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation) Scheme and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking
• you 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

Who else could qualify for a Blue Badge?

If you are not automatically eligible, you may be able to get a Blue Badge in certain circumstances.

For example, if you:

• you cannot walk at all
• you cannot walk without help from someone else or using mobility aids
• you find walking very difficult due to pain, breathlessness or the time it takes
• walking is dangerous to your health and safety
• you have a life limiting illness, which means you cannot walk or find walking very difficult and have a SR1 form
• you have a severe disability in both arms and drive regularly, but cannot operate pay-and-display parking machines
• you have a child under the age of 3 with a medical condition that means the child always needs to be accompanied by bulky medical equipment
• you have a child under the age of 3 with a medical condition that means the child must always be kept near a vehicle in case they need emergency medical treatment
• you are constantly a significant risk to yourself or others near vehicles, in traffic or car parks
• you struggle severely to plan or follow a journey
• you find it difficult or impossible to control your actions and lack awareness of the impact you could have on others
• you regularly have intense and overwhelming responses to situations causing temporary loss of behavioural control
• you frequently become extremely anxious or fearful of public/open spaces

Where can I park with my Blue Badge?

You can’t use your Blue Badge everywhere – some areas have different parking schemes and rules for disabled people. According to Citizens Advice your Blue Badge usually lets you park for free:

• on streets with parking meters or pay-and-display machines for as long as you need to
• in disabled parking bays on streets for as long as you need to, unless a sign says there is a time limit
• on single or double yellow lines for up to 3 hours unless there’s a ‘no loading’ sign

Some councils let badge holders park even if there’s a ‘no loading sign’ – check on GOV.UK to find out.

What do I need to apply?

Applications are made online to your local council and you’ll need a recent digital photo showing your head and shoulders – you can take this picture yourself.

You will also need a photo or scan of your:

proof of identity (such as a birth certificate, passport or driving licence)

proof of address such as a Council Tax bill or government letter – you can also choose to have your local council check the Electoral Register instead

proof of benefits – if you get any

You will also need to know:

your National Insurance number

the details of your current Blue Badge – if you’re reapplying

Once you apply, your local council will process your application and give you a decision.

If you are turned down**

Your local council should tell you why you’re not eligible. You can ask them to reconsider their decision if you think they haven’t taken into account some important information.

If you are still unhappy with the decision you can complain to the council or the Local Government Ombudsman.

You can apply or renew a Blue Badge on the government website.