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Your guide to the Blue Badge scheme

Your guide to the Blue Badge scheme

You’ll probably have seen disabled parking spaces outside various shops and establishments. They’re recognisable by the extra space they allow to make sure those with additional needs can get in and out of their vehicles safely. But who is allowed to park there?

This guide aims to explain all about the Blue Badge scheme, how you can apply, and how it works.

What is the Blue Badge scheme?

This is a scheme designed to help those with severe mobility problems – whether through disability or illness – to be able to park closer to where they need to go.

The Blue Badge scheme applies to on-street parking and includes free use of parking meters and pay-and-display bays (in some areas, you may still need to pay for parking even with a blue badge, so be sure to check the car park pricing information). Blue badge holders may also be exempt from parking time restrictions and are able to park for up to three hours on single and double yellow lines so long as they are not causing an obstruction and the disabled badge is visibly on show.

It's worth remembering that disability badge holders can’t park where there is a ban on loading or unloading or if there are other restrictions.

Who’s eligible for the Blue Badge scheme?

To be ‘eligible without further assessment’, you need to be over three years old and one or more of the following will have to apply to you:

  • You are registered as blind/severely sight impaired
  • You receive the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
  • You receive the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
  • You receive the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and you scored at least 8 points in relation to the ‘moving around’ activity in the PIP assessment, or least 10 points in the mobility activity for planning and following journeys
  • You have been awarded a lump sum benefit from the Armed Forces Compensation scheme (tariffs 1 to 8). You have also been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability which means you can’t walk or find walking very difficult

If the above doesn’t apply to you, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you aren’t eligible, it just means you may need to provide evidence as part of the assessment process. This will be at the discretion of the local authority. The local authority will contact you and may schedule a free of charge mobility assessment; this is usually performed by a healthcare professional such as a Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist.

You can find out more about who’s eligible on the UK government website.

How to apply for a blue badge?

Applying for a blue badge is exceptionally quick and easy; the blue badge application can be found online. However, if you prefer to apply in writing you can do so by contacting your local authority directly, they will issue a form that needs to be filled out.

You’ll need to provide certain information when applying for or renewing your Blue Badge:

  • A recent digital photo
  • Proof of identity (like your passport, driving licence, or birth certificate)
  • Proof of address
  • Proof of benefits (if you get any)
  • Your National Insurance number
  • The details of your current Blue Badge (if you’re reapplying)

Blue Badge applications are processed by local authorities or if you live in Northern Ireland by the Blue Badge Unit.

It’s important to know that there may be an application charge. If you live in England, you may be charged a statutory maximum fee of £10; in Scotland, a fee of up to £20; in Northern Ireland a fee of £10; and in Wales it’s free of charge.

For those in England, Scotland, and Wales, you can apply here.

If you’re in Northern Ireland, you’ll need to apply here.

If your Blue Badge application is successful, your local authority will be in touch to let you know. Blue Badges are valid for up to three years.

Where is the Blue Badge scheme valid?

Blue Badge parking is used throughout the UK, although the rules may vary between England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, so it’s worth checking the local rules before parking up. There are also certain areas where the Blue Badge scheme isn’t valid or the rules are slightly different around how it can be used, such as at Heathrow Airport, for example, where you can’t use your badge to park on the roads, but it can be used in the car parks.

If in doubt, check before parking.

How to use a Blue Badge

You must display your Blue Badge at all times when making use of the parking available to you. This means it has to be open and on display in a suitable place, such as the dashboard, so that the relevant details are able to be read from outside of the vehicle through the windscreen.

If your vehicle doesn’t have a dashboard, you must make a conscious effort to place the badge in a noticeable place. If the area of where you are parking has a time limit, you will need to make sure to set your parking time disc to show the quarter-hour period of when you arrived.

If you fail to produce a Blue Badge when asked to by any of the following: police officer, warden or parking attendant, you will be causing an offence. It’s very important to make sure you always display it correctly and have your Blue Badge ready to show if required.

Can someone running an errand for me use my Blue Badge?

The short answer is no. As the holder, only you can use your Blue Badge. This means it can be used when you’re driving or when you’re travelling in the car as a passenger and the trip is for your benefit. This means it can’t be used if the trip is for someone else and you’re just staying in the car.

However, it can be used by someone else only when they’re either picking you up or dropping you off.

You don’t want to be caught misusing your disabled parking badge as it could result in your badge being taken away and your eligibility for one cancelled. You could also be fined up to £1000 if you’re found to be abusing the Blue Badge scheme.

Can I use my Blue Badge abroad?

It depends. Following our departure from the European Union, the UK is no longer considered part of the EU Disabled Parking Card scheme. At present, there’s an informal agreement between the UK and the EU to continue the mutual recognition of these schemes, but it’s important to check local information as some places will not accept a Blue Badge card.

You can find out more about which countries accept Blue Badge cards on the UK government website.

Do I need a cover for my Blue Badge?

Having a cover isn’t necessary, but it can be an excellent way to both protect your badge and help to make it more visible when it’s on display in your vehicle. You can take a look at Complete Care Shop’s range of Blue Badge holders here.

Where can I find out more about the Blue Badge scheme?

You can find out more information on the scheme in your area on your local authority website. You may also want to apply, renew or talk to someone for more information by using the websites below: