Last Updated: September 2016
Blue Badge holders can be either a driver or a passenger of a vehicle. The blue badge is specific the blue badge holder and not the vehicle. The blue badge can be use in any vehicle that the holder is a passenger in. Blue Badges belong to the holder and must not be used by anyone other than the holder named on the blue badge.
Having a blue badge means you can park in disabled parking bays and other places giving you closer access to public buildings and areas.
A Blue Badge holder can usually park for free on streets with parking meters or pay-and-display machines for as long as you need to. In disabled parking bays on streets for as long as you need to, unless a sign says there is a time limit. In single or double yellow lines for up to 3 hours unless there’s a ‘no loading’ sign.
Each area has is own specific rules on parking and you should check the guidelines, within the book supplied with your new blue badge, if you are awarded one.
If you receive the enhanced mobility rate or scored 8 points or more in the ‘moving around’ area of your assessment for PIP (check your PIP award letter) you automatically qualify for a blue badge.
You will also automatically qualify for a blue badge if you are registered as blind, if you get the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), if you get War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement or received a lump sum payment as part of the Armed Forces Compensation scheme (tariffs 1 to 8), or have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability.
If you don’t automatically qualify you can still apply for a blue badge.You will have to complete further questions about your mobility and health. You need to explain how your illness affects your mobility and describe the way you manage to walk short distances. You might be asked to do a mobility assessment by a health professional, they will look at your ability to carry out a range of mobility activities. They’ll tell your council whether they think your health condition or disability limits your ability to move around enough for you to need a badge.
If you do need to complete further questions, you should be honest and clearly state how you illness(es) impair your ability to walk. Even if you have occasional good days, you should work on how you manage on your worse days and give the person assessing your application a clear picture of how you manage. You will need to provide information about your prescription drugs and diagnosed illnesses as these will be checked to see if they correspond with the problems you are reporting. Be as detailed as you can as the person assessing your application may not have any medical background and may not have heard of Vasculitis, the associated illnesses, or the medications before.
To apply for a blue badge you can complete the forms online or contact your Local Council.
Having a blue badge means you can park in disabled parking bays and other places giving you closer access to public buildings and areas.
A Blue Badge holder can usually park for free on streets with parking meters or pay-and-display machines for as long as you need to. In disabled parking bays on streets for as long as you need to, unless a sign says there is a time limit. In single or double yellow lines for up to 3 hours unless there’s a ‘no loading’ sign.
Each area has is own specific rules on parking and you should check the guidelines, within the book supplied with your new blue badge, if you are awarded one.
Further useful links about blue badges: