Blue Badge eligibility criteria
The Blue Badge scheme is an important service for people with severe mobility problems. It allows badge holders to park close to where they need to go.
About the Blue Badge scheme
The Blue Badge scheme offers on-street parking concessions for people with severe mobility problems. Benefits include free on-street parking in ‘pay and display’ bays.
The scheme runs throughout the UK, however information on this website applies to Northern Ireland residents only.
Find out about the Blue Badge scheme in England, Wales and Scotland.
Find out if you are eligible for a Blue Badge
You can get a Blue Badge if you:
- receive the higher rate of the mobility part of Disability Living Allowance
- are in receipt of eight points or more under the 'moving around activity. for the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – you must give a copy of your statement of entitlement detailing the points awarded
- receive a War Pension Mobility Supplement
- receive a benefit under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme within tariff levels one to eight (inclusive) and have been certified by the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) as having a permanent impairment which causes inability to walk or a lot of difficulty walking
- are registered blind
- drive a vehicle regularly, have a severe disability in both arms and are unable to use, or have a lot of difficulty using, all or some types of parking meter
- have a permanent disability which means you cannot walk or have a lot of difficulty walking - in this case your doctor may be asked to confirm your eligibility
- or if you have difficulty in planning and following a journey as it would cause overwhelming psychological distress and need the help of another or that you could be a danger to yourself or others – in this case a doctor may be asked to confirm your eligibility
Blue badges are issued for a maximum of three years.
Applicants whose benefit award will end within three years of the application date will only be issued with a blue badge until the end of their benefit award.
Children under the age of three
If you have children under the age of three, they may qualify for a badge if they:
- have a disability because of a medical condition and need to travel with bulky equipment or be close to a vehicle for emergency medical treatment
Support organisations
Organisations which care for people with disabilities who meet one of the criteria above may be eligible to apply for a ‘Support Organisation’ badge.