Navigating the world can be a challenge when you're living with a disability that affects your mobility. However, a Blue Badge can be a game-changer, whether you're heading to an appointment, popping to the shops or simply fancying a day out.

Blue Badges are designed to help those with disabilities or health conditions park nearer to their destination. They allow badge holders, or anyone driving them as long as they're in the car, to use disabled parking bays and even park on double yellow lines.

But it's not just the convenience factor that makes a Blue Badge invaluable - it can also save holders a pretty penny as they often get to park for free in disabled bays or car parks. Plus, as long as the badge holder is in the vehicle, it can be used in any car you're travelling in - including taxis.

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In England, a Blue Badge will set you back up to £10, while in it costs £20. But if you're in Wales, you're in luck because it's completely free.

Local authorities handle the processing of applications, determining eligibility and setting the price, reports .

Blue Badges typically last for up to three years before you need to reapply for a new one. There are two categories of people who can apply for a Blue Badge - some qualify automatically, while others are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

People who automatically get a Blue Badge

If you're aged 3 or over, you'll automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if at least one of the following applies:

• you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the
• you receive a 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 are registered blind (severely sight impaired)
• you receive a War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
• 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 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

If your score is anything other than 10 points under descriptor E, in the 'planning and following journeys' activity of PIP, you might still be eligible for a Blue Badge, but it's not guaranteed. This includes if you have a higher score of 12.

You'll need to provide evidence to prove your eligibility, which will be evaluated as part of your application.

Who might get a Blue Badge

You could be eligible for a badge if one or more of the following applies:

• you cannot walk at all
• 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
• walking is dangerous to your health and safety
• you have a life limiting illness, which means you cannot walk or find walking very difficult and have a SR1 form
• you have a severe disability in both arms and drive regularly, but cannot operate pay-and-display parking machines
• 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 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
• you are constantly a significant risk to yourself or others near vehicles, in traffic or car parks
• you struggle severely to plan or follow a journey
• you find it difficult or impossible to control your actions and lack awareness of the impact you could have on others
• you regularly have intense and overwhelming responses to situations causing temporary loss of behavioural control
• you frequently become extremely anxious or fearful of public/open spaces

How to apply:

In England, Scotland and Wales, you can apply for a Blue Badge on GOV.UK. If you're in Northern Ireland, there's a different process..

Your local council will determine if you qualify for a badge. They can't start the assessment process until they've got all the necessary evidence.

It might take 12 weeks or more to assess your application. If they decide that you don't qualify and you believe they didn't consider all the facts, you can ask them to review your application.