Eligibility
In some cases, you might automatically get a Blue Badge. In other cases, the council will assess your eligibility. This may include going to a mobility assessment and meeting a healthcare professional.
Who automatically gets a Blue Badge
You will automatically get a Blue Badge if you:
- are under 16 and have a letter confirming your eligibility from your visual impairment care team
- are 16 or over and registered or certified as severely sight impaired
- meet the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
- meet the higher rate of the mobility component of Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance
- get Personal Independence Payment and scored 8 points or more in the 'moving around' area of your assessment
- get Personal Independence Payment and scored 12 points in the 'planning and following a journey' area of your assessment
- get Personal Independence Payment and used to get the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance on an indefinite or lifetime basis
- get Personal Independence Payment, used to get the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance, and your Personal Independence Payment decision is being appealed
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get Adult Disability Payment and have been awarded mobility points of either 8 points or more in the Moving Around activity, or 12 points in the Planning and Following a Journey activity, or enhanced rate mobility under special rules for terminal illness
- get the higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment
- get War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement
- got a lump sum payment from tariffs 1 to 8 of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability
Who else could get a Blue Badge
You could get a Blue Badge if you:
- have a substantial disability lasting at least 12 months that means you cannot walk at all
- have a substantial disability lasting at least 12 months that means you're virtually unable to walk
- regularly drive and cannot use parking meters because of a severe disability in both arms
- are responsible for a child under 3 years old who needs to be kept close to a vehicle for medical treatment
- are responsible for a child under 3 years old who uses bulky medical equipment that cannot be carried around
- have a mental condition that means you lack awareness about the danger of traffic when making journeys
If you have a mental condition that means you lack awareness about the danger of traffic, you cannot apply online. You should phone your local council's Blue Badge team for a paper application form.
Visit GOV.UK to check your eligibility and apply for a Blue Badge.
Once you apply, your local council will process your application. They will give you a decision in around 12 weeks.
Councils can charge up to £20 for a Blue Badge. If you're unsure, check on your council's website before applying.