Blue Badge eligibility

Whether you travel as a driver or as a passenger, if you're unable to walk, or struggle significantly when making journeys, then you may qualify for a badge.

In most cases, we’d expect applicants to have explored medications, treatments, coping strategies, or have the use of walking aids first. A badge is not for convenience, it is only for people with severe conditions or disabilities who would struggle to access goods and services without it.

We use the Department of Transport guidance to manage the scheme on their behalf.

Badges are not issued when a condition is temporary.

Who automatically qualifies?

You won't need to be assessed for a badge if:

• you’re registered as blind (severely sight impaired)
• you receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) at the Higher Rate of Mobility
• you receive a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and have scored 8 points or more for 'Moving Around' as part of the ‘mobility component’
• you receive a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and have scored exactly 10 points for ‘Planning and following a Journey’ as part of the ‘mobility component’
• you receive a War Pensioners Mobility Supplement
• you've received a lump sum benefit (within tariff's 1-8) of the Armed/Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme, and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability affecting mobility

Who else qualifies?

Following an assessment, where we’ll check your supporting documents and any relevant records held by the council, you may also qualify if you:

• have an enduring and substantial disability or condition, which means that making a journey is extremely difficult. This could be due to the physical act of walking, or because of a ‘non-physical’ disability, which means that walking is dangerous, or that public and open spaces cause very considerable psychological distress
• regularly drive a vehicle, have a severe disability in both arms, and have considerable difficulty operating, all or some types of parking meter
• are applying on behalf of a child under three years old, who has a specific medical condition, which means that they must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment, or always need to be kept near to a vehicle, so that they can be treated, or be quickly driven to a place where they can be treated, such as hospital

The Department for Transport booklet has more details on eligibility