Council and democracy

Who qualifies for a blue badge?

You qualify automatically if:

• You receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance
• You use a vehicle supplied by the Department for Work and Pensions because of your disability
• You get a Government grant towards your own vehicle because of your disability
• You receive a War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement
• You are registered blind, however a registration of partial sight does not qualify automatically
• You have a permanent and substantial disability which means you are unable to walk or have very considerable difficulty in walking (difficulty getting into or out of a car or difficulty carrying shopping does not qualify you for a blue badge)
• You drive a vehicle regularly, have a severe disability in both arms and are unable to operate, or have considerable difficulty in operating, all or some types of parking meter

Receiving Attendance Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, or Income Support does not automatically qualify you for a blue badge.

Temporary disability such as a broken limb does not qualify you for a blue badge.

Badges can be issued to adults and those with children aged two and over.

However, from 15th October 2007 a child under two may qualify under the following circumstances:

• if a child has a condition that requires that they must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment
• if a child has a condition that requires that they must always be kept near a motor vehicle

For full details select the external link on the right called 'Department for Transport Blue Badge Scheme'


I don't qualify automatically for the disabled person's parking badge but I think I need one. Can I still apply?


YES. We can issue a badge if you have a permanent and substantial disability, which means you are unable to walk or have very considerable difficulty in walking. We have to make sure that you are eligible through an assessment.

When we receive your application, we will arrange for you to be seen at an assessment centre. We may also ask your doctor for information following the assessment.