Skip to main contentAccessibility Statement
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  5. Blue Badges for individuals

Who is eligible for a Blue Badge

Not every disability or health condition automatically qualifies you for a Blue Badge. These conditions can vary widely in how they affect individuals - some may have only a mild or occasional impact, while others can be severe and constant.

Having a diagnosis alone is not enough to confirm eligibility. We may need additional details about how your condition affects your ability to make journeys, including how often and to what extent it limits your mobility.

An individual's eligibility for a Blue Badge is considered in terms of being either:

  • Type 1: ‘eligible without further assessment’ (previously known as automatic), or
  • Type 2: ‘eligible subject to further assessment’ (previously known as discretionary)

Applicants aged 3 or over may automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if they meet one or more of the criteria listed under Type 1 eligibility.

If you do not receive any of the specified benefits or are not registered as severely sight impaired (blind), please refer to the Type 2 eligibility section, which involves further assessment.

Badge duration linked to PIP award period

If a Blue Badge is issued based on a qualifying PIP award, and that award is for less than 3 years, the badge will only be issued for the same duration as the PIP award.

When re-applying for a Blue Badge, you will still need to be in receipt of the qualifying benefit or provide evidence that you qualify under the criteria under the ‘subject to further assessment’ route.

There is no minimum period for issuing a badge in these cases. For example, a badge can be issued for 9 or 12 months if that matches the PIP award duration.

If the PIP or DLA award is for more than 3 years, the badge should still be issued for the standard 3-year period.

Qualifying for a Blue Badge 

You need one of the following for the 'eligible without further assessment' criteria:

  • receive the Higher Rate of the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (HRMCDLA)
  • receives 8 points or more under the ‘moving around’ activity of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
  • receives the mobility component of PIP and has obtained 10 points specifically for 'planning and following journeys' activity, on the grounds that they are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause them overwhelming psychological distress
  • registered blind (severely sight impaired)
  • receive a War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
  • awarded both a lump sum benefit at tariffs 1 to 8 of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and certified as having an enduring and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking
    • Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) awards are not included in the type 1 eligibility criteria - The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) compensates for any injury, illness or death which was caused by service on or after 6 April 2005 

People who may be issued with a badge after further assessment are those who are more than 3 years old and may be described as one or more of the following:

  • You cannot walk at all, or walking is very difficult due to pain, breathlessness, or time taken 

Temporary disabilities are not eligible.

  • Enduring and Substantial Disability

The disability must be long-term (not expected to improve within three years) and significantly affect mobility.

  • Impact on Walking

The guidance focuses on how a person's disability affects their ability to walk, including the presence of considerable psychological distress or risk of harm.

  • Evidence is Crucial

Applicants need to provide detailed evidence supporting their claim, including information about relevant medications, treatments, and healthcare professionals involved.

  • Walking Distance

Applicants may be asked to estimate their walking distance or the number of steps they can take before experiencing pain, breathlessness, or the need for rest.

  • Non-Physical Disabilities

The scheme acknowledges that non-physical disabilities can impact mobility. However, it emphasizes that the impact of the disability must be significant and cause considerable difficulty or risk when walking.

  • You have a life-limiting illness and a valid SR1 form which is dated within the last 12 months
  • You have a severe disability in both arms and drive regularly but cannot use parking meters

a person who drives a vehicle regularly, has a severe disability in both arms and is unable to operate, or has considerable difficulty in operating, all or some types of parking meter.

  • You care for a child under 3 who needs bulky medical equipment or must stay near a vehicle for emergency treatment
  • You are a significant risk to yourself or others in traffic or car parks. (Non-Visible/Hidden)

The scheme acknowledges that non-physical disabilities can impact mobility. However, it emphasizes that the impact of the disability must be significant and cause considerable difficulty or risk when walking.

You may be eligible if:

  • you are at significant risk near traffic or in car parks, either to yourself or to others, due to your condition
  • you experience severe difficulty planning or following a journey, even with support
  • you struggle to control your actions, and may not be aware of how your behaviour affects those around you
  • you regularly have intense, overwhelming reactions to situations, which can result in a temporary loss of behavioural control
  • you frequently feel extreme anxiety or fear in public or open spaces, making travel distressing or unsafe
  • mental health conditions such as anxiety do not automatically qualify, but may be considered if they substantially affect your ability to undertake journeys
     

  • you have a temporary disability or intermittent mobility issues
  • you are under the age of 3
  • you need a wider parking space to open your car door, but do not also have difficulty walking or are not unable to walk
  • you need a wider parking space to open your car door, but do not also have difficulty walking or are not unable to walk
  • you need to be near a toilet or other facilities to manage bowel or bladder incontinence, but do not also have difficulty walking or are not unable to walk
  • you find it difficult to carry shopping, but do not also have difficulty walking or are not unable to walk
  • the Department for Transport guidance advises, if the presence of a companion effectively removes the risk or significantly reduces the psychological distress experienced by the applicant, they are unlikely to meet the criteria for a Blue Badge

How to apply

Find out how to apply for or renew a Blue Badge.

Find Government guidance on blue badge rights and responsibilities. 

Last updated 17 July 2025