Blue Badge Eligibility

In Scotland, you are automatically entitled to a blue badge if you are over two years old and:

• you are registered blind; or
• you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA); or
• you receive the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (must be either 8,10 or 12 points for Moving Around OR 12 points for Planning and Following a journey; or
• Get the enhanced mobility component of Adult Disability Payment and have been awarded 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; or
• Get the higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment; or
• you receive a War Pensioners' mobility supplement; or
• you have received an award under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) within tariffs 1-8.

Please note, all award letters must be dated within the last 12 months.

If you do not meet any of the above automatic criteria then you may qualify for a blue badge if you are over two years old and:

• have a permanent and substantial disability which means you are unable to walk or virtually unable to walk; or
• have a temporary, but substantial, disability which means you are unable to walk or virtually unable to walk which is likely to last for a period of at least 12 months but less than 3 years

If you are applying under one of the above criteria then West Lothian Council may request that you attend an independent mobility assessment as a means of checking your eligibility.

To be eligible under this criteria you must have a diagnosed mental health, cognitive or behavioural condition. This includes any mental health problem, personality disorder or learning disability, however caused or manifested. Examples are dementia, autism or Down's Syndrome. You will need to submit:

•  A letter confirming your diagnosed mental disorder, cognitive impairment or behavioural condition.

• An additional form must be completed by a registered health care professional if you are applying under this criteria. An officer from the Blue Badge Team will be in touch with you regarding this form when assessing your application, or you can request a copy of this form in advance by emailing BlueBadges@westlothian.gov.uk                                                        

Individuals who are unlikely to be eligible for a Risk in Traffic Blue Badge: -

A car driver would not meet the criteria for Risk in Traffic Blue Badge as it is expected that they are not at risk to themselves or others in traffic under DVLA guidelines

Organisational Badges will only be issued to an organisation which both:

• Cares for and transports disabled people who would meet one or more of the eligibility criteria for an individual Blue Badge; and
• Has a clear need for an organisational badge rather than using the personal Blue Badges of people it is transporting.

There are three further applications types that can be provided. They are: -

• if you have been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease,
• If you have a severe disability in both arms and are unable to operate, or have considerable difficulty in operating, parking meters.
• Children under 3 who must always be accompanied by medical equipment, or if necessary treatment for that condition can be given in the vehicle, or the child can be driven quickly in the vehicle to a place where such treatment can be given.