Disabled parking permit - blue badge

Blue parking badges allow cars carrying people, who are registered blind or people, who have severe walking difficulties to be parked near shops, stations and other facilities.

Blue Badges replace the Orange Badge Scheme. Blue Badges are issued as existing badges come up for renewal or as new applications are processed. The Blue Badge is recognised throughout Europe.

The Blue Badge is registered to a person and NOT to a vehicle. The holder of the Blue Badge must be with the vehicle when the Blue Badge is displayed.

Who can get a Blue Badge?

You are automatically eligible to apply for a badge if you are over two years old and either

• Receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance. Learn more about the allowance on Direct.gov
• Are registered blind. You will need to enclose your Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) or medical evidence as proof
• Receive a War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement. You will need to enclose proof of this e.g. letter confirming award of mobility supplement

You may also be eligible to apply for a badge for yourself or a child over two years old and either

• Have a permanent and sustainable disability which means you cannot walk, or which makes walking very difficult
• Drive a motor vehicle regularly, have a severe disability in both arms, and are unable to operate all or some types of parking meter, or would find it very difficult to operate them

Specific medical conditions

If you are a parent/carer of a child who is less than two years old you may apply for a badge for a child if they have a specific medical condition which means that they either

• Must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried around without great difficulty
• Need to be kept near a vehicle at all times, so that they can, if necessary, be treated in the vehicle, or quickly driven to a place where they can be treated, such as a hospital

In these cases we may ask you more questions to help us determine whether you are eligible for a badge.

Organisations caring for disabled people

Organisations caring for disabled people meeting the above criteria may be able to get a badge, but this is entirely at our discretion.

Applying for a blue badge

To view the following documents, you will need Adobe Reader.

Guidance notes

Read our Blue badge guidance notes to help you find out if you qualify. There are also notes to help you in completing the application form.

Blue badge application form

You can download the Blue badge application form to print out, fill in and send back to us.

Blue badge renewal form

You can download the Blue badge renewal form to print out, fill in and send back to us.

Blue badge replacement form

You can download the Blue badge replacement form to print out, fill in and send back to us.

London congestion charge exemption

Blue Badge holders qualify for a 100 per cent exemption from the London congestion charge, but you must register with Transport for London at least 10 days before your journey and pay a one off £10 registration fee.

Parking in European countries

The Institute of Advanced Motorists, an independent road safety charity, publishes a booklet with detailed information on using the Blue Badge in EU countries.

For more information about the Blue Badge, visit Direct.gov.