Create a Blue Badge photo

A Blue Badge is a parking permit for people with disabilities or health conditions that affect mobility. It allows the holder to use more accessible parking options, such as designated disabled parking bays and other concessions.

The Blue Badge is issued to a person, not a specific vehicle. 

This means you can’t lend it to others.

Benefits of the Blue Badge

The main benefit is easier parking access for those with severe mobility difficulties. 

A Blue Badge lets you park closer to your destination, often free of charge, in areas where parking is otherwise restricted. 

It’s recognised across the UK (and even in many European countries) as proof of disability for parking purposes.

However, a Blue Badge offers a few additional perks beyond parking, such as:

• Road Tax Exemption: If you’re a Blue Badge holder, you often receive a qualifying benefit that can get you free or discounted Vehicle Tax. 
• Toll exemptions: In some parts of the UK, a Blue Badge can exempt you from paying tolls on certain bridges or tunnels.
• Local concessions: Councils may offer extra perks, such as access to pedestrianised zones or town centres for Blue Badge cars or dedicated on-street bays near your home, on request.
• Free or discounted public transport: The Blue Badge itself isn’t a public transport pass, but many Badge holders also qualify for a Disabled Person’s Bus Pass or Railcard.
• No wheel clamping or bailiff removal: If your vehicle displays a valid Blue Badge, it mustn’t be wheel-clamped on public land.

Who qualifies for a Blue Badge?

Eligibility for a Blue Badge is based on the effect a disability or health condition has on your mobility, rather than on a specific diagnosis. 

There isn’t a fixed list of medical conditions that automatically qualify. 

Instead, there are criteria related to your ability to walk or otherwise manage mobility. The UK government classifies eligibility into ‘eligible without further assessment’ (automatic qualification) and ‘eligible subject to further assessment’ (discretionary qualification).

Automatic qualification criteria

You should automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if one or more of the following apply:

• You receive the Higher Rate of the Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
• You receive a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and scored eight points or more in the ‘moving around’ component of the mobility assessment (this typically means you can’t walk more than 50 metres).
• You receive PIP and scored 10 points under descriptor E in ‘planning and following journeys’ (meaning you cannot undertake any journey due to overwhelming psychological distress).
• You’re registered blind.
• You receive a War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement.
• You’ve received a lump-sum payment under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme (tariffs 1–8) and have been certified as having a permanent disability that causes serious difficulty walking.

If you meet any of the above, you can get a Blue Badge with minimal formality. You’ll just need to provide proof of the qualifying benefit or status. For example, a PIP award letter or evidence of DLA can serve as proof.

Discretionary (‘Subject to further assessment’) criteria

If you don’t meet one of the automatic criteria, you may still qualify for a Blue Badge based on an assessment of your mobility needs. 

You can be eligible, subject to further assessment, if any of the following apply:

• You have long-term problems walking or severe difficulty when walking. This can include conditions causing chronic pain, breathlessness, or balance issues. It also explicitly covers ‘hidden’ conditions like dementia, autism, or other mental health issues that make walking journeys difficult or unsafe.
• You have a severe disability in both arms and regularly drive, such that you cannot easily use parking meters.
• You often experience extreme anxiety or fear of public/open spaces (for instance, agoraphobia), which makes walking in those areas very difficult.
• You’re applying for a child under three who must always be near a vehicle due to a health condition.

In addition, if you have a terminal illness that affects your mobility, you can apply and may be fast-tracked.

Important: For discretionary applications, it’s not your specific diagnosis that matters, but how your condition affects your ability to walk or travel. There’s no exhaustive list of medical conditions guaranteed to qualify.

When applying under discretionary criteria, be prepared to provide detailed evidence of your mobility problems. This could include letters from your GP or specialists about your condition, prescription lists, or other relevant medical records. 

The council might ask you to describe how far you can walk (distance or number of steps) and how pain or breathlessness affects you, or they may even invite you for a mobility assessment in person.

How to apply for a Blue Badge

Applying for a Blue Badge is done through your local council, but there’s a centralised online application portal to simplify the process. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get a Blue Badge:

1. Learn where to apply

The easiest way is to apply online via GOV.UK.

The official online service will request your postcode and route your application to your council. 

If you prefer or cannot apply online, many councils offer a paper application form. You can contact your local council to ask for a form or download it from their website. Some councils also accept applications by phone or will help you fill in the form at a council office or library.

2. Prepare the required documents

Whether applying new or renewing, you must provide several pieces of information. Before you start, make sure you have the following ready:

• A recent passport-style photo of the applicant. If applying online, you will upload a digital image. If by paper, you’ll attach a physical passport-size photo.
• Proof of identity such as a valid passport, driving licence, birth/adoption certificate, or other official ID.
• Proof of address. For example, a recent utility bill, Council Tax bill, or benefit letter with your address (usually dated within the last 12 months).
• National Insurance number (for the applicant, or Child Reference Number for a child applicant).
• Proof of eligibility or qualifying benefit (if applicable). For instance, your DLA or PIP award letter, or proof of War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement.
• If you already have a Blue Badge that’s expiring and you’re reapplying, have your current badge number and its expiry date, as the form may ask for these.

3. Fill out the application

When you apply online, you’ll be guided through a series of questions. 

The system will ask for personal details and questions to determine if you qualify automatically or need further assessment. Answer all questions honestly and thoroughly. If you’re automatically eligible, the form will mostly just need your details and proof of the qualifying benefit.

If you aren’t automatically eligible, there’ll be extra sections where you must describe your mobility difficulties in detail. Take your time to explain:

• How far you can walk (in metres or steps) before you feel severe discomfort.
• How long it takes you to walk a certain distance.
• Whether you experience pain, breathlessness, fatigue, or instability when walking and how severe it is.
• If you need to use any walking aids (cane, crutches, walker) or need someone’s support when walking.
• If you’re applying due to non-visible disabilities, describe the safety risk or difficulty you face when walking (for example, do you experience disorientation, panic attacks, or risk harming yourself or others if walking without support?).

Be as specific as possible. 

This information will be crucial for the council’s decision.

If you have supporting medical documents (e.g., letters from doctors, evidence of prescriptions/treatments), you may upload those, or the council might ask for them later.

4. Pay the fee (if applicable)

In England and Northern Ireland, councils can charge a fee for issuing the badge (the maximum fee is £10).

Many councils charge the full £10, but some may charge nothing or a lesser amount, especially in Scotland or Wales, where policies differ. 

Note that you usually pay only if your application is approved. 

If applying online, there’ll be a secure payment step (often by credit/debit card). For paper applications, councils usually take payment by card over the phone or cheque. 

Note: The £10 covers the badge and is a one-time charge for the 3-year badge duration. Renewals or replacements often incur the same fee.

5. Submit the application

Once you’ve filled the form and attached/uploaded the required documents and photo, submit it and make a note of any reference number. 

If on paper, mail it to the address given (or submit in person if instructed).

As for processing times, they range widely, as each local council has its own volume of applications and procedures (some may call you in for an assessment or contact your doctor).

In straightforward cases, it can be fairly quick, perhaps a few weeks. However, if an assessment is required, a decision can take up to 12 weeks.

Tip: When applying, it’s wise to ask or check the council’s website for estimated processing times. Plan ahead, especially for renewals, because you cannot use an expired badge while waiting for a new one.

6. Receive your Blue Badge

If your application is approved, you’ll receive the Blue Badge (and a parking disc ‘clock’ if applicable) by mail or be asked to collect it. 

The badge will show your photograph on the back and details, and it’ll come with instructions on how to use it. 

If your application is refused, the council should explain why. You can ask for a review or reconsideration if you believe important information was overlooked. There’s no formal appeal tribunal, but you can reapply if your condition worsens or if you obtain new evidence of your difficulties.

7. How to Renew a Blue Badge

Blue Badges are valid for up to three years (the exact expiration date will be printed on the badge). 

After that, they don’t automatically renew, and you need to reapply for a new badge before the old one expires. 

Renewing is essentially the same process as a new application: you can use the GOV.UK online system or a paper form, and you’ll need to provide updated information and a new photo. Your eligibility will be rechecked each time you renew. 

This is to ensure you still meet the criteria.

Blue Badge photo requirements and tips

A crucial part of the Blue Badge application is providing a suitable photograph of the applicant. 

The Blue Badge has a photo of the holder printed on the back of the badge (for identification), so the authorities require a passport-style photo when you apply.

What are the photo requirements for a Blue Badge?

The photo requirements for a Blue Badge are very similar to a photo of a passport or driving licence. Essentially, it must be a recent, clear head-and-shoulders portrait of the applicant that meets specific standards.

According to official guidance, your Blue Badge photo must: 

• Be in colour.
• Be a close-up of your full head and shoulders, facing forward, looking straight at the camera.
• Show a neutral expression with your mouth closed.
• Have your eyes open and clearly visible (no sunglasses or tinted glasses; if you normally wear glasses, you can wear them as long as your eyes are visible and there’s no glare).
• Have nothing covering your face (no hats or face coverings). The only exception is religious or medical head coverings, which are allowed, but your entire face must be visible, from chin to forehead.
• Be taken against a plain light-coloured background. Usually, light grey, cream, or white is recommended.
• Be sharp, in focus, and clear. No blurry or low-resolution images.
• Have proper lighting (no heavy shadows across your face, and no red-eye effect).
• Be taken within the last six months.
• Be of a standard passport size if printed. That means 45mm high x 35mm wide. If you’re uploading a digital photo, the system will typically accept a rectangular headshot that can be cropped to that ratio.
• Digital photos should be of good quality. Many systems accept JPEG/PNG and may have a file size limit (often around 5MB or specific pixel dimensions).

How do I take a photo for a Blue Badge?

You don’t need a professional photographer to get a valid photo for your Blue Badge. With our tool (PhotoAiD for iOS and PhotoAiD for Android), you can take your photo from your phone and let our tool handle the rest. 

It’s quick, easy, and guarantees compliance with official Blue Badge requirements.

Here’s how it works:

1. Take a photo. Use your smartphone or digital camera to take a photo in good lighting.
2. Upload to PhotoAiD. Our tool will automatically remove the background, crop the image to the right size, adjust lighting, and check all compliance points.
3. Get an expert check. Every photo is reviewed by one of our trained experts to make sure it meets UK government requirements. If something's off, we'll tell you exactly what needs to change.
4. Get a digital photo ready for upload. You’ll receive a fully compliant digital version you can upload directly to your online Blue Badge application.
5. Or order prints. We also offer fast delivery of physical, passport-size photo prints.