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Blue Badge refused? Hidden disabilities, reviews and reapplying

In short: A hidden condition can get you a Blue Badge. If the council says no, ask why, add new evidence and ask for a review.
A painted street scene. A small green car is parked right outside a shop with flower pots. An adult and a child walk hand in hand the few steps to the shop door.

In short

  1. Since 2019, people in England with hidden (non-visible) conditions can get a Blue Badge. This can include some developmental, behavioural or mental health conditions.
  2. Most refusals are about evidence. Show how your condition affects you on the walk from the car, and give proof.
  3. If you are refused, ask the council to review it. Do it fast. Add new evidence. You can also reapply or complain.

What is a Blue Badge?

A Blue Badge lets you park closer to where you are going. You get it from your local council. You can apply for yourself, for someone else, or for an organisation. (GOV.UK: Who can get a Blue Badge?)

Two ways to get a badge

1. You get it without more checks

This is called "automatic". It applies if you are 3 or over and, for example (GOV.UK):

Other PIP scores for "planning and following journeys", even 12 points, are not automatic. You can still apply, but you must send evidence. (GOV.UK)

2. The council checks your evidence

Everyone else can still apply. The council looks at your evidence and decides. This is the route for most hidden conditions. (GOV.UK)

You do not need PIP or DLA. The council should not refuse you just because you do not get them. It should not tell you to claim PIP or DLA first. (Department for Transport (DfT) guidance for councils, 6.6)

Hidden disabilities: what the law says

The rules changed on 30 August 2019. (The 2019 amendment regulations) Now you can qualify if you have an "enduring and substantial disability" that means, during a journey, you (Badges Regulations 2000, regulation 4):

  1. cannot walk, or
  2. have very considerable difficulty while walking. This can include very considerable psychological distress (very great fear or upset), or
  3. are at risk of serious harm when walking, or put other people at risk.

Councils are told this can include developmental, behavioural or mental health conditions. (DfT guidance, 4.82)

"Enduring" means it will last at least 3 years. (DfT guidance, 4.44 and 4.60)

GOV.UK says you may be able to get a badge if, for example (GOV.UK):

The guidance for councils gives examples of what this can look like. These include running off without seeing the danger of roads, dropping to the floor and refusing to walk, or avoiding journeys because of fear. (DfT guidance, 4.61)

Why councils say no

The law lets a council refuse a badge if, for example (regulation 8, explained in DfT guidance, 6.1 to 6.3):

For hidden conditions, the council's guidance points to some common sticking points:

How to apply with a hidden condition

A clipboard with three green ticks on it.
  1. Apply online. Go to GOV.UK: Apply for or renew a Blue Badge. You can save and come back later. (GOV.UK) Some councils also have a paper form. (Citizens Advice)
  2. Get your papers ready. You need a recent head and shoulders photo, proof of who you are, proof of address, and your National Insurance number if you have one. (GOV.UK)
  3. Describe the journey. You will be asked how the trip from the car to where you are going affects you. (GOV.UK) Use your own words. Say what happens, how often, and what it is like on a bad day.
  4. Say what you have tried. List coping strategies and how well they really work. List treatment and medicines. (DfT guidance, 4.57 and 4.96)
  5. Name the professionals. Give the names and contact details of health or social care workers who know you. (DfT guidance, 4.96)
  6. Upload proof. For example: diagnosis letters, care plans, patient summaries, prescriptions, an EHC plan, or benefit letters. (DfT guidance, 4.96; GOV.UK)
  7. Wait for the decision. Councils usually decide within 12 weeks. (GOV.UK) If you hear nothing after 12 weeks, contact them. (Citizens Advice)

Terminally ill? Tell the council. They will usually speed up your application. Send form SR1, which you can get from your doctor or consultant. If you apply online, tick the box to say you are terminally ill. (Citizens Advice)

Refused? What to do, step by step

  1. Read the letter. The council must tell you in writing why it said no. (regulation 8(3)) Just saying "you do not meet the rules" is not enough. The Ombudsman expects a clear reason. (DfT guidance, 6.9 and 6.10)
  2. Check the deadline. Councils do this in different ways. You usually have 20 working days or a calendar month from the decision. Ask your council what its deadline is. (Citizens Advice: If you've been refused a Blue Badge) Some councils allow 28 days, for example Birmingham City Council.
  3. Ask for a review. Some councils call it an appeal. Use the way your letter says. It may be an email, a letter or a form. (Citizens Advice)
  4. Say why the reasons are wrong. Go through each reason in the letter. Add anything you missed the first time. (Citizens Advice)
  5. Add new evidence. One council tells people a review is unlikely to work without more evidence, or a big change in their mobility. (DfT guidance, case study after 6.11) Some councils ask for new information that was not in your first application. (Birmingham City Council)
  6. Ask for someone new to look. The DfT recommends the review is done by someone who was not part of the first decision. (DfT guidance, 6.16)
  7. Keep a copy. Note the date you sent it.

Renewal refused? If your old badge is still in date, you can keep using it until you get the review result. (Citizens Advice)

Do not write to the Department for Transport about your case. It cannot change a council's decision. (DfT guidance, 6.16)

Words you could use

Change this to fit you. Fill in the parts in [square brackets].

Dear Blue Badge team, Request for a review of my Blue Badge decision Name: [your name] Reference: [number on your letter] On [date] you refused my application. I would like you to review this decision, please. If possible, I would like someone who was not part of the first decision to look at it. Your letter said: [copy the reason]. I think this is wrong because: [explain, in your own words, what happens on the walk from the car, how often, and what happens on a bad day]. What I have tried, and why it does not stop the problem: [coping strategies, treatment, medicines]. I have attached new evidence: [for example, a letter from my nurse or support worker, care plan, EHC plan]. Please reply in writing. Yours faithfully, [your name]

This is a free example only. It is not legal advice.

Reapplying

Complaining

A review is about the decision. A complaint is about how you were treated. For example, delays, rudeness or an unfair process. (DfT guidance, 6.18 and 6.19)

  1. Complain to the council first. Use its complaints process. You can also complain if it will not review your decision. (Citizens Advice) Find your council on GOV.UK.
  2. Then go to the Ombudsman. If you are still unhappy, contact the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. It is free. It cannot look at your complaint until the council has had a chance to sort it out. (LGSCO: How to complain) Phone: 0300 061 0614. (Citizens Advice)
  3. Do not wait too long. The Ombudsman may not look at a problem you first knew about more than 12 months ago. (LGSCO)

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Free help

You do not need to pay anyone to apply or ask for a review. Free help: Citizens Advice: Blue Badge scheme, and your council's Blue Badge team for questions about the scheme (GOV.UK). Related guides on this site:

This site has no link with any council or the Department for Transport. It earns nothing from this page.

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Information only. This page explains official guidance in plain English. It is not legal or medical advice. Rules can change. For advice about your own case, contact Citizens Advice or another free adviser.

Where this applies: England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different rules.

Written by Social Care Made Easy. Last checked: 25 October 2026.