Introduction
The blue badge scheme helps people with a disability or a health condition, which affects their ability to walk, to park closer to their destination.
A blue badge holder can park:
- free of charge at a parking meter or pay-and-display bays
- without a time limit at places where others are time-limited
- for up to 3 hours on single or double yellow lines (except where there is a ban on loading or unloading or other restrictions)
You can use your blue badge in any vehicle as long as the person who owns the badge is travelling in the vehicle.
Badge holders are not permitted to park in a way that might cause an obstruction or danger to other road users.
Some central London boroughs have further restrictions on where blue badge holders can park. Details can be obtained from these boroughs (including Camden, Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea).
Blue badges are issued for 3 years unless your condition is not permanent or if your benefit entitlement is valid for less than 3 years at the time of applying.
All badge applications are reassessed after 3 years, and holders will need to make a new application for a badge at this time.
For more information about blue badges, including how to use the badge, where you can park and using your badge abroad go to GOV.UK.