People with disabilities or health issues that impact their mobility, including hidden conditions like dementia or Parkinson’s, could qualify for a Blue Badge. This permit enables holders to park closer to their destinations.
Whether they’re driving or simply a passenger, Blue Badge holders can park free of charge in disabled parking bays and may also be exempt from other parking restrictions.
This could include parking in numerous areas where non-holders are not allowed, such as on-street parking meter spaces and even over single or double yellow lines under certain conditions.
However, it’s crucial to note that there are still several locations where badge holders are not permitted to park at any time, day or night. Non-compliance with these rules may result in a potentially substantial fine or penalty.
As reported by the Daily Record, this generally includes 11 key places, including:
- On double or single red lines during their hours of operation.
- In loading/unloading bays, unless signs specify time limits for badge holders.
- Where temporary parking restrictions are in force, such as roadworks or no-waiting cones.
- Where there is one or two yellow markings on the kerb.
- Bus, tram or cycle lanes (Badge holders are not entitled to drive in bus lanes).
- Where there are double white lines in the centre of the road, even if one of the lines is broken.
- Parking places reserved for specific users such as residents or taxis.
- School ‘keep clear’ markings during the hours shown on the yellow no-stopping plate.
- Clearways (no stopping), including urban and bus stop clearways, during their hours of operation.
- Suspended meter bays or when use of the meter is not allowed.
- Pedestrian crossings and zigzag lines.
Nevertheless, the following four examples typically represent parking locations accessible to badge holders:
- Parking free of charge at on-street disabled person’s parking spaces.
- Parking free of charge on single or double yellow lines, unless there are loading restrictions in place and as long as it is safe to do so.
- Parking free of charge and without a time limit at on-street parking meter spaces.
- Parking free of charge and without a time limit at on-street pay-and-display spaces.
Who is eligible for a Blue Badge?
Anyone aged three or older will automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if they meet any of the following criteria:
- You receive a War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement.
- You receive a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) because you can’t walk more than 50 metres (a score of 8 points or more under the ‘moving around’ activity of the mobility component).
- You receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
- You are registered blind (severely sight impaired).
- 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 are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress.
- You have received a lump sum benefit within tariff levels 1 to 8 of the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation). Scheme and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.
You might also qualify for a Blue Badge if you deal with the following health conditions:
- Walking is dangerous to your health and safety.
- You frequently become extremely anxious or fearful of public/open spaces.
- You cannot walk at all.
- You have a life-limiting illness, which means you cannot walk or find walking very difficult and have a SR1 form.
- You are constantly a significant risk to yourself or others near vehicles, in traffic or car parks.
- You cannot walk without help from someone else or using mobility aids.
- You have a severe disability in both arms and drive regularly, but cannot operate pay-and-display parking machines.
- You regularly have intense and overwhelming responses to situations causing temporary loss of behavioural control.
- You struggle severely to plan or follow a journey.
- 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 find walking very difficult due to pain, breathlessness or the time it takes.
- 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 find it difficult or impossible to control your actions and lack awareness of the impact you could have on others.
Where can you apply for a Blue Badge?
Residents of England, Scotland, and Wales can apply for a Blue Badge through the Government’s website. However, people in Northern Ireland must follow a different process via NI Direct.
In England, Blue Badges can cost up to £10, while in Scotland they can reach as much as £20. However, in Wales, they are available free of charge.
Usually, each badge is valid for a period of three years. For further details, please refer to the UK Government’s website.