Blue Badge

Apply for a Blue Badge

The Blue Badge Scheme provides parking concessions nationally and across Europe for people with a permanent and substantial disability, whether that person is the driver or a passenger.

A Blue Badge allows you to park:

  • in public on-street parking places
  • on single or double yellow lines, at times when loading is allowed
  • in some private car parks.

To qualify

To automatically qualify for a Blue Badge, you must:

  • be registered as blind or severely sight impaired

or be receiving:

  • the Higher Rate of the Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance.
  • or the War Pensioners Mobility Supplement.
  • or benefit under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (within tariff levels 1-8)

or be assessed as scoring:

  • at least 8 points in the "Moving Around" portion of the Personal Independence Payment.
  • or 12 points in the "Planning and Following Journeys" portion of the Personal Independence Payment.

If you do not meet the criteria above, you may have to attend an independent medical assessment to confirm that you are "unable to walk" or " virtually unable to walk".

Note: IMA assessments have resumed, but there is a backlog due to the recent restrictions. We are working through this as quickly as possible.

The Blue Badge Scheme is extended on a pilot basis to some people who as a result of a diagnosed mental condition, have no awareness of danger from traffic and are likely to compromise their safety, or the safety of others. See below for application Form C (you cannot apply online).

Renewals

A Blue Badge cannot be renewed: you must apply for a new one. Please apply at least 6 weeks before your current Blue Badge runs out.

How to apply

We encourage you to apply and pay online. This is the quickest way: applications may take up to 8 weeks, but up to 12 weeks if you need a face to face assessment.

Apply online for a Blue Badge

Paper applications

Download and print forms below, or collect them from your local library.

There are different application forms for a Blue Badge:

Use application form (Automatic) if you receive:

  • the Higher Rate of the Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
  • the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PiP) and receive:
    • either 8 points or more in the 'Moving Around' activity
    • or 12 points in the 'Planning and Following a Journey' activity.
  • War Pensioners Mobility Supplement
  • a lump sum benefit under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation) scheme within tariff levels 1-8 (inclusive)
  • or you are registered blind (severely sight impaired)
  • the enhanced mobility component of Adult Disability Payment, and have been awarded:
    • either 8 points or more in the 'Moving Around' activity
    • or 12 points in the 'Planning and Following a Journey' activity
    • or enhanced rate mobility without reference to points.
  • the higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment.

Use application form (subject to further assessment) if you:

  • don't receive any of the benefits listed above
  • are not registered blind (severely sight impaired)
  • are unable to walk, or virtually unable to walk.

Use the linked application forms if you:

Application form (risk in traffic) is for anyone with a diagnosed mental disorder and/or cognitive impairment. Only those most in need will be eligible. This is defined as:

  • People, who as a result of a diagnosed mental disorder or cognitive impairment, have no awareness of danger from traffic and are likely to compromise their safety, or the safety of others.

Send your paper application to:

Blue Badges
Midlothian Council
Midlothian House
Buccleuch Street
Dalkeith EH22 1DN 

Or hand it in to any Midlothian library.

Send it with: 

Organisations

Organisations wishing to apply for a group Blue Badge should apply online and ensure they answer all the assessment questions.

Payment

There is a £20 fee for a Blue Badge. After we receive your application, we will call you for payment by credit/debit card. Do not send cash.

Get help to apply

If you need help to complete the form contact the local Citizens Advice Bureau.

For general advice on Blue Badges call the Blue Badge section on 0131 561 5455.

Scottish Low Emission Zones

A Low Emission Zone (LEZ) is an area which sets an environmental limit on certain city roads, restricting access for the most polluting vehicles to improve air quality.

Vehicles that do not meet the emission standards set for a LEZ may be subject to a penalty charge notice.

  • In Glasgow, enforcement for zone non-residents began on 1 June 2023
  • Edinburgh will start enforcement on 1 June 2024
  • Dundee will start enforcement on 30 May 2024
  • Aberdeen will start enforcement on 1 June 2024

Blue Badge Holder Exemption

If your vehicle is already compliant you do not need to register for a Blue Badge Holder Exemption.

Use the vehicle checker on the LEZ Scotland website to check if your vehicle is already compliant.

If you are a Blue Badge holder, and the vehicle you are travelling in is non-compliant and does not have disabled vehicle/disabled passenger vehicle tax class, then you will need to register for an exemption before travelling to the LEZ.

Find more information on the exemption system and how to register on the LEZ Scotland website.

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