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Who can apply for a Blue Badge
Who will be given Blue Badge automatically
Can I get a blue badge if I’m not automatically eligible?
How do I apply for a blue badge?
Who do I contact for a paper form?
What supplementary information do I need to apply?
What if my blue badge was not issued in Scotland?
Travelling internationally with a UK blue badge
Introduction
The Blue Badge scheme is the name given to the UK system of issuing disabled parking permits to disabled people who struggle with mobility or are unsafe when moving around for other reasons. Blue badges are valid for parking across the whole UK whether they were issued in Scotland or in England.
Who can apply for a blue badge?
Anyone who struggles with mobility because they are disabled can apply for a blue badge. You do not need to have a car or drive. The blue badge exists to allow a more parking options when a vehicle is carrying a disabled person or being driven by a disabled person. The badge is associated with the person and not with the car. This also means that the blue badge may not be used when the disabled person is not in the car.
Who will be given a blue badge automatically?
Some people are automatically eligible to receive a blue badge if they apply. Examples include people who
- Are registered severely sight impaired.
- Score 8 points or more in the Moving Around activity, or 12 points in the Planning and Following a Journey activity of the Adult Disability Payment.
- Get the higher rate of mobility of Child Disability Payment.
There is a longer list of those who are automatically eligible which includes people receiving some other disability benefits. You can check whether you are automatically eligible on the full list.
Can I get a blue badge if I’m not automatically eligible?
The short answer to this is yes. You can apply for what is known as a discretionary blue badge. You will be required to write in more detail about how your disability affects you and what is difficult about your mobility. Your need for a blue badge will be assessed based on the information you give. You may also be invited to an in person assessment with an Occupational Therapist or Physio.
How do I apply for a blue badge?
You can apply for a Blue Badge online. This is the same link for people living anywhere on mainland Britain.
If you are unable to apply online then you will need to contact the Blue Badge team in your local council to ask for a paper copy of the application form. Some councils have downloadable forms on their website which can be printed but there are six different possible forms and you need to complete the right one.
The different forms are:
- Automatically qualify for a Blue Badge
- This is the form if you are on the full list.
- Unable to walk or virtually unable to walk
- This is the form if you are not automatically eligible but are finding that you have severe difficulty with walking.
- Children under 3
- Children under three years old may be eligible for a blue badge if there is a need to carry bulky medical equipment around with them due to a medical condition or if they have an extremely unstable condition that means they must be near a car at all times so they can quickly get to hospital.
- Driver with severe disability in both arms
- If you have a severe disability in both arms that makes it difficult or impossible to use parking machines then you may be eligible for a blue badge.
- Risk in Traffic
- This form is for people who are diagnosed with a mental disorder and are severely affected in that they are very difficult to keep safe and guide by voice or physically
- Organisational badge
- Some organisations may be eligible for a Blue Badge if they both care for and transport disabled people who themselves meet the eligibility criteria for a badge.
So if you are downloading a form from your council website or asking for a form over the phone then you should choose/ask for one out of these six possible forms.
Who do I contact for a paper form?
You need to contact your local blue badge team to get a paper form. They are within your local council. You can find out which council area you live in by putting your postcode in the search on the UK Government website.
You can then call Customer Services at your local council and ask to be put through to the blue badge team. In some cases you may find a direct phone number on the website.
If you can’t use the internet or are having trouble finding the number you need then please do call us at Disability Information Scotland on 0300 323 9961. We can give you more information on how to contact Blue Badge teams across Scotland.
What supplementary information do I need to apply?
You need proof of ID, address and a photograph, as well as evidence of your eligibility such as proof you receive a qualifying benefit or a medical letter saying why you qualify.
You can read more about this supporting information on the UK Government website.
In Scotland Blue Badges usually cost £20 and you will be contacted about payment after you apply.
Renewing your Blue Badge
The badge lasts for between 12 months and three years. Renewing your blue badge involves the same process as your first application. You should pay attention to the expiry date on your badge and apply several weeks before it expires. Many councils may take 12 weeks to process the renewal.
How do I use my blue badge?
Your blue badge should be displayed on the dashboard where it can easily be read from outside the car and with the expiry date displayed. It is usually illegal to use your blue badge when it is out of date and this could result in parking fines or even having your badge taken off you so do check the date.
You may have noticed that the last paragraph says it is “usually” illegal. This is because in exceptional circumstances such as where there are long delays in processing blue badge applications and renewals, individual councils may issue extensions which apply only to badges issued in that area and only for when they are used in your local area. These exceptions will be displayed on your council website. Here is an example of the kind of wording you may see.
Blue Badges which expire on or after [date], will be accepted as being valid for on street parking in [local council] until [date] providing there is a renewal application in process.
Where can I park?
As well as being allowed to park in disabled parking bays, a blue badge allows parking without payment in pay and display parking meters and some other places that would be otherwise restricted.
There is a helpful list of where you can and cannot park on the Scottish Government website.
It is important to read parking signs to ensure that you understand any exceptions to when you might be able to park there. Even with a blue badge there may be restrictions at certain times and if you are in a private car park then the rules may be completely different.
This document details the Rights and Responsibilities of blue badge users in Scotland.
What about if my blue badge was not issued in Scotland.
UK
If you have a blue badge that has been issued anywhere in the UK then you can use it in Scotland. Be aware that local rules may vary a little and do read signs and look on Council websites of the area you are staying in.
International Disabled Parking Permits
International visitors from Europe, the US, Canada, Australia and other countries, often contact us to learn whether their disabled parking permit – issued in their country will be valid to park in disabled parking bays here. Most Scottish Councils will accept a range of international parking permits though this is at the discretion of the individual council. Usually you would need to display the permit on the dashboard where it can clearly be seen. It must also show an expiry date.
Do bear in mind that there is a difference in rules between council parking and private car parks so it is essential to read the parking signs.
If you want to be certain that your permit will be accepted where you intend to travel then you can get the contact details for the local authority/council by putting the postcode in the search on the UK Government website.
Do also make sure you are familiar with blue badge parking rights and responsibilities when using your permit in Scotland
Travelling internationally with a UK blue badge
The UK government website has some useful information on where you can use your blue badge in Europe
The page below has some useful contacts if you want to check whether you can use the blue badge in countries outwith Europe.
Disabled Parking – Countries Outside Europe – Focus on Disability
Note: Information last updated on 18th February 2025. Please note that information may be subject to change. All information is provided in good faith but Disability Information Scotland does not endorse any product or service referred to within this resource.
We are grateful to the Scottish Government for funding this publication
