A Blue Badge can help get you park closer to the places you want to go.
If you have a physical disability or health condition that affects your walking ability, or have a hidden illness such as dementia, autism or Parkinson's, you may be able to get a Blue Badge to help you park closer to the places you want to go. A Blue Badge holder travelling either as a driver or passenger can park for free in disabled parking bays and you may be exempt from other parking restrictions.
New applications for a Blue Badge are administered by local authorities across Great Britain, but are governed by the Department for Transport. New applications and renewals can take up to 12 weeks to be processed, but people could receive them much faster once their application has been approved by their local council.
Minister of State for Roads and Local Transport, Richard Holden MP explained that Blue Badges are now electronically printed by a single manufacturer and as soon as a local authority requests a badge through the system, it is dispatched within five working days.
Mr Holden added that “80 per cent of citizens apply for a badge using the digital service operated by the Department for Transport”.
He added: “The Department works closely with the supplier of the service to identify ways to improve the application and re-application process for all users as part of its National Disability Strategy commitments. This includes acting on feedback from local authority administrators and citizen users of the scheme.”
A Blue Badge costs £20 in Scotland and is valid for three years – apply online here. Below is everything you need to know about the Blue Badge application process.
In some cases, you may automatically qualify for a Blue Badge and in others, your local council will assess your eligibility. This may include going to a mobility assessment and meeting a healthcare professional.
You will automatically qualify for a Blue Badge in Scotland if you:
If you are not automatically eligible, you may be able to get a Blue Badge in certain circumstances.
For example, if you:
have a substantial disability lasting at least 12 months that means you cannot walk at all
have a substantial disability lasting at least 12 months that means you're virtually unable to walk
regularly drive and cannot use parking meters because of a severe disability in both arms
are responsible for a child under 3-years-old who needs to be kept close to a vehicle for medical treatment
are responsible for a child under 3-years-old who uses bulky medical equipment that cannot be carried around
have a mental health condition that means you lack awareness about the danger of traffic when making journeys
You can use your Blue Badge to park in certain restricted areas for free, including:
at on-street parking meters
in pay and display bays
in disabled parking spaces
on single and double yellow lines if there are no loading restrictions
You can use your Blue Badge in most other countries. If you're using your Blue Badge in England or Wales you will need to use a parking clock – this comes with your Blue Badge.
The Timer Clock is a plastic dial with hands that can be adjusted to show the time of parking arrival.
Applications are made online to your local council and you’ll need a recent digital photo showing your head and shoulders – you can take this picture yourself.
You will also need a photo or scan of your:
proof of identity (such as a birth certificate, passport or driving licence)
proof of address such as a Council Tax bill or government letter – you can also choose to have your local council check the Electoral Register instead
proof of benefits – if you get any
You will also need to know:
your National Insurance number
the details of your current Blue Badge – if you’re reapplying
Once you apply, your local council will process your application and give you a decision.
Your local council should tell you why you’re not eligible. You can ask them to reconsider their decision if you think they haven’t taken into account some important information.
You can also reapply if your disability or health condition becomes more serious. Apply for a Blue Badge on the mygov.scot website here.
To keep up to date with the latest benefits news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, follow us on Twitter @Record_Money, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out Monday to Friday – sign up here.
