Certain people will automatically qualify for a disabled parking permit in the UK if they meet criteria set by the Government. This includes scoring a specific amount of points under the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) scheme.

Better known as Blue Badges, these permits allow those with significant mobility or mental health impairments to park nearer to their destinations. Figures from 2024 show that there were 2.84 million Blue Badge holders in England.

This means that more than one in 22 people have a disabled parking badge.

However, it can be confusing to know who is actually eligible for the permit.

If you are already in receipt of PIP you may automatically qualify for a badge, depending on how many PIP points you score.

The Government website explains that this includes if:

• You receive a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) because you can’t walk more than 50 metres (a score of eight points or more under the ‘moving around’ activity of the mobility component)
• You receive the mobility component of PIP and have obtained 10 points specifically for descriptor E under the ‘planning and following journeys’ activity, on the grounds that you are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress.

Even if you automatically qualify you will still need to fill out an application online. You may also be able to apply via a paper form through your local council.

There are other factors that automatically qualify you for a Blue Badge. These are if:

• You receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• You are registered blind (severely sight impaired)
• You receive a War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
• You have received a lump sum benefit within tariff levels one to eight of the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation) Scheme and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.

You may be also eligible for a badge if one or more of the following applies:

• You cannot walk at all
• You cannot walk without help from someone else or using mobility aids
• You find walking very difficult due to pain, breathlessness or the time it takes
• Walking is dangerous to your health and safety
• You have a life-limiting illness, which means you cannot walk or find walking very difficult and have a SR1 form
• You have a severe disability in both arms and drive regularly, but cannot operate pay-and-display parking machines
• You have a child under the age of three with a medical condition that means the child always needs to be accompanied by bulky medical equipment
• You have a child under the age of three with a medical condition that means the child must always be kept near a vehicle in case they need emergency medical treatment
• You are constantly a significant risk to yourself or others near vehicles, in traffic or car parks
• You struggle severely to plan or follow a journey
• You find it difficult or impossible to control your actions and lack awareness of the impact you could have on others
• You regularly have intense and overwhelming responses to situations causing temporary loss of behavioural control
• You frequently become extremely anxious or fearful of public/open spaces.

If you’re not automatically eligible, you’ll need to fill in an extra part of the application form to explain why you need a badge.

If you require help with your application you can contact Citizens Advice for assistance. In England, Scotland and Wales you can apply on GOV.UK for a Blue Badge. If you live in Northern Ireland you can apply at nidirect.gov.uk.

A Blue Badge costs up to £10 in England and Northern Ireland. It is £20 in Scotland and free in Wales. The badge typically lasts up to three years.

For more details, visit gov.uk/apply-blue-badge.