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Apply for or renew a Blue Badge

Apply for a new Blue Badge

Last updated
6 Dec 2023

If you struggle to get around and use a car you could get a Blue Badge. A Blue Badge lets you park closer to where you're going.

You need to apply online using the GOV.UK service. It will also tell you if you're likely to be eligible before you go through the application.

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. 

 

If you need help applying

Contact your local council if you need help applying for a Blue Badge.

Some councils will help you with your application over the phone. 

Aberdeen City Council Aberdeenshire Council Angus Council Argyll & Bute Council Clackmannanshire Council Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Council Dumfries & Galloway Council Dundee Council East Ayrshire Council East Dunbartonshire Council East Lothian Council East Renfrewshire Council Edinburgh Council Falkirk Council Fife Council Glasgow Council Highland Council Inverclyde Council Midlothian Council Moray Council North Ayrshire Council North Lanarkshire Council Orkney Council Perth & Kinross Council Renfrewshire Council Scottish Borders Council Shetland Islands Council South Ayrshire Council South Lanarkshire Council Stirling Council West Dunbartonshire Council West Lothian Council

You can apply for a Blue Badge yourself, for someone else, or for an organisation who meets the criteria.

Apply using a paper application form

You can also apply using a paper application form. You need to get this from your local council. Some councils have the forms on their website.

There are 6 different forms depending on why you’re applying. It’s helpful to know which one you need before you contact the council.

  1. Automatically qualify for a Blue Badge
  2. Unable to walk or virtually unable to walk
  3. Children under 3
  4. Driver with severe disability in both arms
  5. Risk in Traffic
  6. Organisational badge

Blue Badge charge

The charge for a Blue Badge can be up to £20.

Your local council decides on the charge for a Blue Badge and you pay the money to them.

After you apply

Your local council processes your application. They'll also let you know if you need to go to a mobility assessment.

A mobility assessment is a meeting with a healthcare professional who will check if you're:

  • eligible for a Blue Badge
  • getting all the support you need to get around

When you'll hear about your application

Your local council processes Blue Badge applications and Covid is still affecting some council services.

This could mean your local council may not be able to process applications as quickly as they usually would. They make take longer than usual to send you a reply.

Your local council should give you a decision in around 12 weeks.

If your application is not successful, you can ask for a review. You can find more information about how to do this in the letter from your council.

A Blue Badge usually lasts for 3 years. You need to reapply for it every 3 years.

England, Wales and Northern Ireland

If you do not live in Scotland, you should apply for a Blue Badge with:

  • GOV.UK if you live in England and Wales.
  • NI direct if you live in Northern Ireland.

Get further help with a Blue Badge

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