Key 11 no-go parking spaces for Blue Badge holders explained (2025)

The Blue Badge enables a vehicle to park in many places where other motorists cannot - here's everything you should know

Individuals with a disability or a physical or mental health condition that impacts their ability to walk, or those with hidden illnesses such as dementia, autism or Parkinson's, may qualify for a Blue Badge. This will allow users to park closer to their destinations.

A Blue Badge holder, whether driving or as a passenger, can park for free in disabled parking bays and may also be exempt from other parking restrictions. The Blue Badge permits parking in many areas where other drivers cannot, such as on-street parking meter spaces and over single or double yellow lines in some cases.

However, it is crucial to know that permit holders cannot park at several spots at any time, day or night. Doing so may land them a hefty fine or penalty.

According to the Daily Record, this generally includes 11 key places:

• Parking places reserved for specific users such as residents or taxis.
• Where there are one or two yellow markings on the kerb.
• In loading/unloading bays unless signs specify time limits for badge holders.
• School 'keep clear' markings during the hours shown on yellow no-stopping plate.
• Suspended meter bays or when use of the meter is not allowed.
• On double or single red lines during their hours of operation.
• Where temporary parking restrictions are in force - such as roadworks or no-waiting cones.
• Bus, tram or cycle lanes (Badge holders are not entitled to drive in bus lanes).
• Clearways (no stopping) including urban and bus stop clearways, during their hours of operation.
• Where there are double white lines in the centre of the road, even if one of the lines is broken.
• Pedestrian crossings and zigzag lines.

Despite this, four examples of parking concessions available to badge holders include:

• Parking free of charge and without time limit at on-street parking meter spaces.
• Parking free of charge at on-street disabled person’s parking spaces.
• Parking free of charge and without time limit at on-street pay-and-display spaces.
• Parking free of charge on single or double yellow lines, unless there are loading restrictions in place and as long as it is safe to do so.

Who can get a Blue Badge?

Anyone aged three and above will automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if one or more of the following criteria apply:

• You receive a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) because you can’t walk more than 50 metres (a score of 8 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.
• You are registered blind (severely sight impaired).
• You have received a lump sum benefit within tariff levels 1 to 8 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 receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
• You receive a War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement.

Others who may be eligible for a Blue Badge also include individuals who experience the following:

• You regularly have intense and overwhelming responses to situations causing temporary loss of behavioural control.
• You find it difficult or impossible to control your actions and lack awareness of the impact you could have on others.
• You cannot walk at all.
• You have a child under the age of 3 with a medical condition that means the child always needs to be accompanied by bulky medical equipment.
• 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.
• You frequently become extremely anxious or fearful of public/open spaces.
• You have a severe disability in both arms and drive regularly, but cannot operate pay-and-display parking machines.
• Walking is dangerous to your health and safety.
• You struggle severely to plan or follow a journey.
• You have a life-limiting illness, which means you cannot walk or find walking very difficult and have a SR1 form.
• You are constantly a significant risk to yourself or others near vehicles, in traffic or car parks.
• You have a child under the age of 3 with a medical condition that means the child must always be kept near a vehicle in case they need emergency medical treatment.

How can I get a Blue Badge?

Citizens of England, Scotland and Wales can apply for a Blue Badge on GOV.UK. Individuals who reside in Northern Ireland are required to use a different process available at Ni Direct.

Blue Badges cost up to £10 in England and £20 in Scotland, but are free in Wales. Each pass typically lasts for up to three years.

For more information, visit the Government's website.