DRIVERS could automatically qualify for a blue badge parking permit even if they do not have a physical disability or health condition.
The Blue Badge scheme helps you park closer to your destination if you’re disabled, providing you with a guaranteed space.
Getty“The universal symbol for handicapped people, with a European Community handicapped persons parking permit for the UK, with a chrome car, key fob.”[/caption]
Primarily, those with a condition that affects their walking ability are prioritised for blue badges.
But if you have a hidden illness, such as dementia, autism or Parkinson’s, then you may also be able to get a Blue Badge to help you with parking.
A Blue Badge holder travelling either as a driver or passenger can park for free in disabled parking bays and may even be exempt from other parking restrictions.
Many people who have a Blue Badge, however, are unaware that it can also be used with any car that you are travelling in – including taxis – at any time of the day.
You can check your eligibility and apply for a Blue Badge online if you live in England, Scotland or Wales through the Gov.uk website.
A Blue Badge costs up to £10 in England and £20 in Scotland, whereas it’s free in Wales.
The permits usually last up to three years.
However, different application rules apply for England, Scotland, and Wales.
Below is a full list of everyone who can automatically qualify for a blue badge parking permit.
You will automatically qualify for a Blue Badge in England if you:
have a disability which means you are not able to walk
have a disability and have a great difficulty walking from your
car to where you want to go
have a disability which means that you are likely to come to
harm when you are walking
have a disability and you are likely to harm someone when you
are registered blind, or are getting certain benefits
if you get the Higher Rate of Mobility Component in your Disability Living Allowance
if you get some categories of PIP
if you became disabled while you were serving in the armed forces
if a child is over 2 years old and has a great difficulty in walking
if you drive a vehicle and have a disability in both of your arms
if you have a disabled child under 3 years old
You will automatically qualify for a Blue Badge in Scotland if you:
are under 16 and have a letter confirming your eligibility from your visual impairment care team
are 16 or over and registered or certified as severely sight impaired
get the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and scored 8 points or more in the ‘moving around’ area of your assessment
get PIP and scored 12 points in the ‘planning and following a journey’ area of your assessment
get PIP and used to get the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA on an indefinite or lifetime basis
get PIP, used to get the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA, and your PIP decision is being appealed
get Adult Disability Payment (ADP) and have been awarded either 8 points or more in the Moving Around activity or 12 points in the Planning and Following a Journey activity or enhanced rate mobility without reference to points
get the higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment
get War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
got a lump sum payment from tariffs 1 to 8 of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability
You will automatically qualify for a Blue Badge in Wales if you receive the following disability benefits or have sight impairment:
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) at the following levels: 12 points for Planning and Following a Journey, 8 points or more for moving around
Higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (HRMCDLA)
Armed Forces Compensation Scheme Tariff 1 to 8 (inclusive) and includes Permanent Mental Disorder under Tariff 6
War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement
“Registered blind” or have a “severe sight impairment”
Who else could qualify for a Blue Badge?
If you are not automatically eligible, you may be able to get a Blue Badge in certain circumstances. For example, if you:
have a substantial disability lasting at least 12 months that means you cannot walk at all
have a substantial disability lasting at least 12 months that means you’re virtually unable to walk
regularly drive and cannot use parking meters because of a severe disability in both arms
are responsible for a child under 3-years-old who needs to be kept close to a vehicle for medical treatment
are responsible for a child under 3-years-old who uses bulky medical equipment that cannot be carried around
have a mental health condition that means you lack awareness about the danger of traffic when making journeys
Having a blue badge parking permit doesn’t let you park anywhere, however, and there are still some restrictions.
Find out where you can park with a blue badge parking permit here.
And you can find out how to apply and what the restrictions are on blue badges here.