Apply for a Blue Badge parking permit

Following the consultation undertaken by Department for Transport (DfT), changes to the Disabled Blue Badge scheme came into effect from 30 August 2019. These changes meant people with hidden disabilities will be granted access to the scheme too. The idea is that people with less obvious health conditions, such as autism, will have the same right to park in disabled bays as those with physical disabilities.

Who Can Automatically get a Blue Badge?

You may be Automatically eligible for a blue Badge if you fall into one or more of the following Categories:

1. If you are registered blind or are getting certain benefits such as DLA, PIP.
2. If you get the Higher Rate of Mobility Component in your Disability Living Allowance (a score of 8 points or more under the ‘moving around’ activity of the mobility component)
3. If you became disabled while you were serving in the armed forces.

Who may be eligible and can get a Blue Badge?

You may be eligible for a blue Badge if you fall into one or more of the following Categories:

1. You have a disability which means you are unable to walk or have a disability which makes it difficult for you to walk from your car to where you want to go.
2. You have a disability which means that you are likely to come to harm when you are walking
3. You have a disability and you are likely to harm someone when you are walking.
4. You are registered blind or are getting certain benefits such as PIP and DLA.
5. Children may be able to get a Blue Badge if they are over 2 years old and have a great difficulty in walking.
6. if you drive a vehicle and have a disability in both of your arms.
7. If you have a car that has been adapted taking your disability into consideration. It may have different controls.
8. if you have a disabled child under 3 years old.
9. You always have medical equipment with them that is hard to carry.
10. Some organisations that care for disabled people and transport them can get a Blue Badge

Check your eligibility and apply or renew a Blue Badge 

If you’re a Blue Badge holder, you can use your badge to park a car you’re driving, or a car in which you’re the passenger.

Only the Blue Badge holder can use the badge. It's a criminal offence to use someone else’s Blue Badge, or to drive a vehicle displaying a badge unless the badge holder is in the vehicle. There is a fine of up to £1,000.

Where can I park?

The rules on where Blue Badge holders can park vary depending on which Local Authority you park in.

For Waltham Forest, please download our Blue Badges parking guide (PDF 348KB)

If you're a resident within a controlled parking zone (CPZ) and hold a Blue Badge, you can also apply for a free annual resident parking permit.