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The Blue Disabled Badge
What is the blue disabled badge and am I eligible?
The disabled parking badge scheme is a national scheme for people who:
- Are registered blind
- or Have severe walking difficulties
- or Regularly drive but are unable to turn the steering wheel by hand.
The scheme provides a wide range of parking benefits. For example the scheme enables badge holders to park free in most pay and display car parks and also to park on single and double yellow lines in most streets for up to three hours.
To qualify for a disabled badge from your local Social Services, you will need to meet any of the following criteria:
- You are registered blind or
- You receive the higher rate of the Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance
- or You receive a War Pensioners' Mobility supplement
- or The DSS have supplied a vehicle to you, or they have given you a grant to adapt a vehicle or they give you help towards the running costs of a vehicle.
If you don't qualify under these rules, you may still qualify under the Local Authority's discretionary rules. To find out if you qualify, they will need to contact your doctor. The Local Authority will send your doctor a form which asks about your ability to walk.
Generally, if your doctor tells the Local Authority that you are unable to walk more than 50 metres without stopping, severe discomfort, or help from another person, you will qualify for a disabled parking badge.