Disabled blue parking badge

Who can apply

A person is automatically eligible for a badge if they are over two years old and meet at least one of the following criteria:

you have a permanent disability that means you are unable to walk, or you have very considerable difficulty walking
you have a severe disability in both arms, and cannot turn the steering wheel of a vehicle by hand
you are registered blind
you receive a War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement
you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance
you receive 8 points or more in the 'Moving around' descriptor of your Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

You will not qualify if you:

have a psychological disorder, learning or behavioural problems. This will not normally qualify you unless your impairment causes very considerable, and not intermittent, difficulty in walking.
have a disabling condition that is only temporary, such as a broken leg.

Can I get a blue badge? the easy to read guide from the Department of Transport gives you more information on who will qualify for a blue badge.

Applying or renewing

You must renew your badge at least 8 weeks before it expires.

Apply for or renew a Blue Badge

Fill in GOV.UK simple online form.

Completing this form takes around 15 minutes

To complete this form you will need evidence of identity and a recent passport-sized photograph.

Apply online

Proof of identity

Proof of identity and evidence to support your application

We do not need to see original documents. We accept the following:

valid passport
UK driving licence
a birth or marriage certificate.

Higher rate of mobility component evidence

If you qualify for the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance, or score 8 points or more in the moving around.

Personal independence payments evidence

Criteria for Personal Independence Payments you will need to supply your full entitlement letter, dated within 12 months.

Upload evidence

Upload your evidence afterwards if you don't have it when you complete your application form.

Fees

We will be in touch to advise you if your application is approved. A £10 fee will then be payable.

We do not accept cheques or cash. Payment for your blue badge can be made by Debit Card only.

How long it takes

If you are applying under the Automatic criteria for a Blue Badge your application can take 4-6 weeks.

If you are applying under the Discretionary criteria, dependent on your circumstances decisions can take longer and you may be requested to attend an Independent Medical Assessment.

Parking

Before you park

Ensure that you check all the signs carefully
Check that your Blue Badge has not expired
Park in a marked bay

Please note: Motorists parked in disabled bays who do not clearly display a valid Blue Badge in accordance with the instructions provided will be liable for a parking fine.

Where you can park

Eligible Blue Badge holders, carrying and displaying a valid badge correctly, may park:

for up to 3 hours on roads where waiting is prohibited, such as single or double yellow lines, unless the signs say 'no loading or unloading'
all day on roads where parking is free but restricted by time
in most council-run car parks for free, all day. See Parking spaces in Kirklees

Do not park in a pedestrian zone unless there is a sign showing that vehicles displaying a Blue Badge are exempt.

Where you cannot park

The Blue Badge is not a licence to park anywhere. You must not park:

in places where a ban on loading or unloading is in force, as indicated by kerb markings
in parking places reserved for specific users such as residents' bays or loading bays
on pedestrian crossings (zebra, pelican, toucan and puffin crossings), including areas marked by zig-zag lines
on clearways (roads with no stopping in force)
on bus, tram or cycle lanes or cycle tracks
where there are double white lines in the centre of the road (even if one of the lines is broken)
by suspended parking meter bays or when the use of the meter is not allowed
where temporary parking restrictions are in force, e.g. by no-waiting cones

Further information is available in the Blue Badge Scheme rights and responsibilities leaflet.

Using your Blue Badge abroad

The Blue Badge is recognised in all European countries and allows you to make use of the same parking concessions as the country’s own citizens with disability.

Parking concessions for holders of a disabled parking card differ from country to country, so it’s important to check the rules in the country you're visiting.

Report lost or stolen badges

Fill in GOV.UK simple online form.

Completing this form takes around 10 minutes

Report online

Organisations

Organisations that care and transport a significant number of disabled people who meet the individual Blue Badge criteria, may be eligible for a Blue Badge. See our Blue parking badges for organisations for more information.

Adult social care and health