Automatic criteria

You automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if you are aged three years old or older and at least one of the following applies:

Are severely sight impaired (registered blind)
Receive the War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement
Receive a lump sum benefit from the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme (within tariff levels 1-8). You must also be certified as having a permanent and substantial disability that causes an inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.
Receive 8 points or more under the 'moving around' descriptor for the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) because you can’t walk more than 50 metres. (The badge will be issued to the expiry date of your award if it is less than three years, alternatively you can apply through the discretionary criteria).
Receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance. (The badge will be issued to the expiry date of your award if it is less than three years, alternatively, you can apply through the discretionary criteria).
Receive descriptor E of the 'planning and following a journey activity of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which states "you cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress".
If you are terminally ill and one of the above applies, please provide your DS1500/SR1 form and we will fast-track your application

Please note Attendance Allowance is not a qualifying benefit.

As part of your application, you will be asked to provide supporting documentation as evidence of your qualifying benefit.

Discretionary criteria

If you do not automatically qualify, or if you wish to be assessed under the discretionary criteria, the council will need to assess your eligibility for a Blue Badge. Anyone over three years old may be eligible if they either:

Drive a motor vehicle regularly, have a severe disability in both arms, and are unable to operate all or some types of parking meter (or would find it very difficult to operate them).
Have an enduring and substantial disability that affects mobility and has considerable difficulty in walking. For example, this could include conditions such as heart failure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Experience considerable difficulty whilst walking which may include severe psychological distress. For example, this could include conditions such as severe anxiety and agoraphobia.
Are at serious risk of harm when walking or pose, when walking, a risk of serious harm to any other person. For example, this could include complex mental health disorders, dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

You may be asked to attend an independent assessment. You will be notified of this in writing during the course of your application.

The disability experienced by the applicant must endure for at least three years. We do not issue badges for temporary disabilities or conditions and the requirement to open a car door wider does not form part of the Blue Badge criteria. If you are terminally ill and one of the above applies, please provide your DS1500 and we can fast-track your application.

Badges that fall under the discretionary period will be issued for three years.

Children under three years old

If you are the parent of a child who is less than three years old, you may apply for a Blue Badge if your child has a specific medical condition which means they:

Must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment for urgent treatment which cannot be carried around without great difficulty.
Need to be kept near a vehicle at all times, so that they can, if necessary, be treated in the vehicle, or quickly driven to a place where they can be treated, such as a hospital.

All evidence supplied must relate to the child. For example, proof of address must have the child’s name on the letter.

Mill Road Bus Gate

On Tuesday, 7 March 2023, members of the Highways and Transport committee voted to reinstate the Mill Road bridge closure to all motor vehicles, except buses, cyclists, emergency services, taxis and blue badge holders. Work will now get underway to design and implement the bus gate in 2024, more details will follow.

Read further information including a list of frequently asked questions on our Mill Road bridge TRO page.

Blue badge holders will be required to provide relevant details such as name, address, blue badge number and appropriate paperwork. They will also be able to register up to a maximum of two vehicles.

The exemption does not apply to any other bus gates or lanes in Cambridge.

The closure will be implemented as a bus gate and blue badge holders will need to register by completing the application form.