Apply for or renew a Blue Badge
Who can get a Blue Badge
Automatic eligibility
If you are over 3 years old and meet at least 1 of the following automatic criteria, we will issue your Blue Badge without any further assessment:
- you are registered blind (severely sight impaired) and have a certificate of visual impairment (CVI)
- you receive a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and have a score of 8 points or more under the 'moving around' activity of the mobility component
- you receive the mobility component of PIP and have obtained 10 points specifically for descriptor E under the ‘planning and following journeys’ activity, on the grounds that you're unable to undertake any journey because it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress
- you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (HRMCDLA)
- you receive a War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
If you receive PIP and have a score of 10 points for descriptor D or 12 points for descriptor F under the ‘planning and following journeys’ mobility activity, you're not automatically eligible without further assessment.
You can still apply but will need to show evidence to demonstrate your eligibility.
If you're not automatically eligible
If you're not automatically eligible, you may still be able to get a blue badge but will need to provide more evidence to demonstrate your eligibility.
You may still be eligible for a blue badge if you're over 3 years old and at least one of the following applies:
- you cannot walk at all
- you cannot walk without help from someone else or using mobility aids
- you find walking very difficult due to pain, breathlessness or the time it takes
- walking is dangerous to your health and safety
- you have a life limiting illness, which means you cannot walk or find walking very difficult and have a SR1 form
- you have a severe disability in both arms and drive regularly, but cannot operate pay-and-display parking machines
- you have a child under the age of 3 with a medical condition that means the child always needs to be accompanied by bulky medical equipment
- you have a child under the age of 3 with a medical condition that means the child must always be kept near a vehicle in case they need emergency medical treatment
- you are constantly a significant risk to yourself or others near vehicles, in traffic or car parks
- you struggle severely to plan or follow a journey
- you find it difficult or impossible to control your actions and lack awareness of the impact you could have on others
- you regularly have intense and overwhelming responses to situations causing temporary loss of behavioural control
- you frequently become extremely anxious or fearful of public/open spaces
We cannot confirm whether you are eligible until we have assessed your application.
Further assessment
If you are not automatically entitled to a Blue Badge, we may need to carry out further assessment as part of your application.
Our expert assessor is a senior physiotherapist. They may check social care and health databases to confirm your eligibility.
If you are asked to go to an independent mobility assessment, this will be in Aylesbury.
Criteria we cannot consider
The Blue Badge scheme is focused on risk and identifying a clear benefit of need.
We will not consider the following criteria as part of our assessment process:
- the need for a wider space to allow vehicle doors to open fully
- difficulties carrying shopping
- the need for urgent access to public toilets, where none of the above qualification criteria are met
The Bladder and Bowel Foundation offers a nationally recognised scheme for people who need immediate access to toileting facilities.
Temporary badges
We do not issue temporary Blue Badges.
We can only issue badges for 3 years to applicants who meet the qualification criteria listed on this page.
Our Blue Badge policy
View the full terms and conditions in our Blue Badge policy.