Blue Badge Scheme

The blue (formally orange) badge scheme is a national arrangement that offers special parking provision for some people with disabilities, and enables parking for either drivers or passengers closer to the required destination.

The scheme is administered by local authorities who deal with applications and assessments as well as the issue of the badges.

If you are registered blind or have a mobility disability you may be entitled to a blue badge – contact your local council for details.

For details of parking concessions in Europe for holders of blue badges please contact the Department for Transport Opens in a new window.

Interactive Blue Badge map

The new interactive Blue Badge map is now available on-line on the directgov website Opens in a new window. It has a number of useful features, including:

type in the postcode of your destination and find nearest blue badge parking bays
nearest blue blue badge parking bays to main London train stations and airports
on-line forum to discuss blue badge parking issues
find nearest petrol stations and public toilets
puchase a hard copy of the map.

Basic rules for Blue Badge Holders

Always display your badge and clock clearly on the dashboard of the vehicle
Never stop where your vehicle will cause an obstruction to traffic or pedestrians
Never stop on white ‘zig-zag’ markings
Never park on the pavement (except where signs indicate that this is legal)
Never park in suspended bays
Be careful to observe the special rules for central London (City of London, City of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea and parts of Camden) and Gatwick and Heathrow airports
Do not park on red routes, unless you are in the signed red route box bays provided
Do not allow others to use your blue badge – this is a criminal offence.

Blue Badge Fraud

Blue Badge fraud usually takes on two forms. This is either concerned with the misuse of valid badges by friends and family members not permitted to use the badge, or by drivers using lost, stolen or counterfeit badges. In all instances the illegal use of Blue Badges constitutes a criminal offence. All councils, together with the Metropolitan Police, City of London Police and Transport Police as well as Transport for London are determined to stamp out Blue Badge fraud and will aim to successfully prosecute abusers. A successful prosecution will result in a criminal record and a hefty fine (usually over £1000).

Blue Badge Database

To help combat Blue Badge fraud London Councils have set up a database of all lost, stolen and fraudulent Blue Badges reported in London. This also includes a record of badges not returned to the authority after the death of the holder. All of the 33 London boroughs record this information as well as badge sightings and seizures on a regular basis. The Metropolitan Police and Transport for London both have full access to the database. This information on can be used on street by the Police, Civil Enforcement Officers and dedicated fraud teams with the aim of identifying lost stolen and fraudulent badges, seizing the badge and prosecuting the driver.

The Blue Badge database is a key tool when dealing with fraud. Since the database has been made available to the authorities, over 100 badges have been seized and 15 Blue Badge abusers have been successfully prosecuted.

How to Obtain a Blue Badge

Applications for a Blue Badge must be made through your local authority.

You will automatically qualify for a badge if:

You receive the Higher Rate of the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance
You are registered blind
You receive a War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

You may also qualify for a badge if:

You have a permanent or substantial disability which means you are unable to walk or have difficulty walking. In this case you will be asked a series of questions to help the local authority determine whether you are eligible for a badge. People with a psychological disorder will not normally qualify unless their impairment causes considerable difficulty walking.
You have a severe disability in both arms, regularly drive a motor vehicle but cannot turn the steering wheel of a motor vehicle by hand even if that vehicle is fitted with a turning knob.

A parent of a child under 2 may apply for a badge if a child has a specific medical condition which means they must be accompanied by bulky medical equipment and/or must be kept near a vehicle at all times.

Congestion Charge

Blue Badge holders may apply for a 100% discount to the Congestion Charge zone. Information can be found on the Transport for London website, on the Congestion Chargepage, where there is also specific information about the Blue Badge exemption

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