Blue Badge

Blue Badge Scheme Information

Added: 15 January 2009 | Updated: 8 May 2012

The Blue Badge scheme is a Europe-wide scheme that entitles disabled people to additional parking rights. You do not have to be a driver or own a car to obtain a Blue Badge.

To obtain a Blue Badge you need to contact your local council or you can apply online. The badge costs £10.

Those who are automatically entitled include people who:
• Are registered blind
• Receive the higher rate of mobility component of DLA
• Receive a war pension mobility supplement
• Have a vehicle supplied by or subsidised by a government grant.

Anyone who has mobility impairments as such that they are unable to walk 50 yards without stopping, or has no use of their arms is also eligible. If you are deemed eligible for any other form of travel benefit, such as the Freedom Pass for example, this is not relevant to your eligibility for a Blue Badge.

Similarly, your council cannot refuse you one benefit on the grounds that you use another. The Blue Badge is issued under completely separate legislation, and councils don’t have any discretionary powers to change the criteria.

Using the scheme

Blue Badge holders are entitled to:
• Park at a meter or in a pay and display area, unless there is a notice to the contrary
• Ignore time limits applying to other drivers, unless otherwise stated
• Park on single or double yellow lines for up to 3 hours, except where there’s a ban on loading or unloading.

Important note:

In central London Blue Badge parking is extremely restricted. You may park in a Blue Badge bay for three hours only in City of London, and four hours in Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea. When parking in a pay and display bay in Westminster, City of London, Kensington & Chelsea and Camden (green Badge Area) you get free one hour on top of the time you pay for.

Blue Bay parking concessions do vary across London; please check restrictions displayed on signs, pay & display machines and street markings, or with the local council if you are unsure.
The Blue Badge Parking Guide for London contains details of the restrictions in all areas of London and includes a map showing Blue Badge bays. You should be sent a copy of this book when you receive your Blue Badge. For a replacement book, please contact your council’s Blue Badge department. Purchase the Guide online.

You can put the badge in the window of any car, as long as you are also in the vehicle yourself.

Blue Badge holders are also exempt from the Congestion Charge. It costs £10 to register for exemption and you can have two cars registered at any one time. To register for the exemption print this form or call Transport for All on 020 7737 2339 and we will send you one.
You can change the car that is registered; if a friend is giving you a lift, notify TfL by calling 0845 900 1234

Having a Blue Badge will not entitle you to park in places where there is no loading, in a bus or cycle lane, where there are double white lines down the middle of the road, on a clearway or red route, or in many other places.