Blue Badge disabled parking permits

9 mins read

This advice applies across the UK.

Some disabled children qualify for a Blue Badge. A Blue Badge allows you to park close to where you need to go, such as in disabled parking spaces.

In this article

What is the Blue Badge?

Blue Badge permit holders can park closer to their destination, for example in designated parking spaces.

The Blue Badge is linked to the disabled person rather than a particular vehicle. This means you can use the Blue Badge in any car the badge holder is passenger or driver.

Blue Badge holders can also ask for a disabled parking space near their home. Usually this would be free but local councils can have different rules about how can apply for one.

Although the scheme applies throughout the UK, the rules about who qualifies are different in each of the nations. You need to apply by contacting your local authority, and there may be a small administrative charge.

Blue Badge rules in England

Who is automatically eligible for a Blue Badge?

Your child will qualify for a Blue Badge automatically if they are aged two or over and:

Qualifying under the ‘assessed route’

Even if your child doesn’t qualify automatically, they may still qualify under ‘the assessed route’. This means that the local authority carries out an assessment of your child’s needs.

You will need to complete a Blue Badge application form. The local authority is also likely to want information from health or social care professionals who know your child.

Your child should qualify by this route if the local authority decides that one of the following applies:

How do I apply for a Blue Badge?

Whether your child qualifies automatically or they go down the assessed route, you apply for a Blue Badge at gov.uk.

Blue Badge rules in Northern Ireland

Who is automatically eligible for a Blue Badge?

Your child will qualify for a Blue Badge automatically if they are aged two or over and they:

Qualifying under the ‘assessed route’

Even if they do not qualify automatically, your child may still qualify under ‘the assessed route’. This means that the local authority carries out an assessment of your child’s needs.

Your child should qualify by this route if the local authority decides that one of the following applies:

How do I apply for a Blue Badge?

Visit nidirect for information on how to apply for a Blue Badge.

Blue Badge rules in Scotland

Who is automatically eligible for a Blue Badge?

Your child will qualify for a Blue Badge automatically if they are aged two or over and they:

Qualifying under the ‘assessed route’

Even if they do not qualify automatically your child may still qualify under ‘the assessed route’. This means that the local authority carries out an assessment of your child’s needs.

Your child should qualify by this route if the local authority decides that one of the following applies:

How do I apply for a Blue Badge?

Whether your child qualifies automatically or they go down the assessed route, you apply for a Blue Badge at gov.uk.

Blue Badge rules in Wales

Who is automatically eligible for a Blue Badge?

Your child will qualify for a Blue Badge automatically if they are aged two or over and they:

Qualifying under the ‘assessed route’

Even if your child doesn’t qualify automatically, they may still qualify under ‘the assessed route’. This means that the local authority carries out an assessment of your child’s needs.

Your child should qualify by this route if the local authority decides that one of the following applies:

How do I apply for a Blue Badge?

Whether your child qualifies automatically or they go down the assessed route, you apply for a Blue Badge at gov.uk.

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