Blue Badge

If you or your passenger has severe mobility problems, the Blue Badge scheme lets you park nearer your destination than you might otherwise be able to.

What is a blue badge?

A Blue Badge can give you exemption from some parking restrictions and access to designated parking spaces.

The badge is for your use only. If someone else is picking you up or dropping you off they will be able to use it, but you can’t lend it to someone to go and do shopping for you, for example.

If you no longer need the badge, you must return it. 

Who can get a Blue Badge?

You can get a Blue Badge if you:

• receive the higher rate of the mobility part of Disability Living Allowance
• receive a War Pension Mobility Supplement
• receive a benefit under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme within tariff levels one to eight (inclusive) and have been certified by the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) as having a permanent impairment which causes inability to walk or a lot of difficulty walking
• are registered blind
• receive eight points or more under the 'moving around' activity for the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• drive a vehicle regularly, have a severe disability in both arms and are unable to use, or have a lot of difficulty using, all or some types of parking meter
• have a permanent disability which means you cannot walk or have a lot of difficulty walking - in this case your doctor may be asked to confirm your eligibility

Blue badges are issued for a maximum of three years. Applicants whose benefit award will end within three years of the application date will only be issued with a blue badge until the end of their benefit award.

Apply for or renew a Blue Badge

Ways to apply for or renew a Blue Badge

In Northern Ireland you can apply for or renew a Blue Badge online or by post.

Online

You can apply for a badge or renew an existing badge online by clicking here. 

Download an application form

If you are an individual applicant, download the following application form and guidance notes here. 

Ask for an application form 

You can ask for an application form by contacting the Blue Badge Unit (Department for Infrastructure) here. 

What you need to send with your application

Photograph

Individual applicants must send one recent photograph which you should sign on the back. It should be a colour passport-type photograph (head and shoulders) or any suitable photograph cut down to 45mm in height and 35mm in width.

Your photograph will not be on display when the badge is used in the vehicle.

Documents

If you are applying under section B of the application form, you must include the statement of entitlement, letter of award or certificate.

If you are applying under section C of the application form, will help your application if you give medical evidence.

Fee

A Blue Badge costs £10.00. Support organisations will be charged £10.00 for each vehicle they register. Cheques or postal orders should be made payable to the Department for Infrastructure.

Do not send cash through the post.

If you are applying online, you must pay by credit or debit card.

Finished forms

If applying by post, filled-in application forms should be sent to the Blue Badge Unit. Incomplete forms will be returned. If more information to support your application is needed, you will be told.

Finding out if your application is successful

You should be told the outcome of your application within four to six weeks of the Blue Badge Unit receiving it for online applications and between six to eight weeks for postal applications. If more information to support your application is needed, such as referral to your GP, it may take longer.

Successful applications

If your application is successful you will be issued with a blue badge pack containing:

• a letter of issue
• your badge
• a time clock
• guidance notes outlining your rights and responsibilities for using the badge

Unsuccessful applications

If your application is unsuccessful:

• you will be told in writing of the reason you are not eligible
• your fee will be refunded
• you can ask to have your application reassessed if you don’t think all the
• information you gave was taken into account
• you can reapply if your mobility problems become more serious or you become automatically entitled - see Section B of the application form​​