Thousands of Blue Badge holders in Scotland may be unaware of the additional benefits attached to the parking permit. More than 235,700 Blue Badge holders in Scotland may not be aware of a little-known travel boost the permit can unlock. People with a disability living in Scotland may be entitled to free bus travel with the National Entitlement Card.
While eligibility criteria is usually associated with the level of award for a disability benefit such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment (ADP), Child Disability Payment (CDP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Attendance Allowance, people with a Blue Badge may also qualify. Guidance on the Transport Scotland website states you just need your Blue Badge, or your latest V11 vehicle licensing reminder from DVLA or DLA404 from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), when you apply for the National Entitlement Card. It also advises: “A valid Blue Badge issued outside Scotland, in the rest of the UK or by the authorities of another EU member state will be acceptable.
” Full details on eligibility and how to apply for the National Entitlement Card can be found here. If you do not have a Blue Badge, full guidance on eligibility can be found on MyGov.Scot here.
If you're a resident in Scotland and meet one of the following criteria, you are entitled to free bus travel with the National Entitlement Card: If you have a physical disability or health condition that affects your walking ability, or have a hidden illness such as dementia, autism or Parkinson's, you may be able to get a Blue Badge to help you park closer to the places you want to go. A Blue Badge holder travelling either as a driver or a passenger can park for free in disabled parking bays and you may be exempt from other parking restrictions. In some cases, you may automatically qualify for a Blue Badge and in others, your local council will assess your eligibility.
This may include going to a mobility assessment and meeting a healthcare professional. You will automatically qualify for a Blue Badge in Scotland if you: If you are not automatically eligible, you may be able to get a Blue Badge in certain circumstances. For example, if you: have a substantial disability lasting at least 12 months that means you cannot walk at all have a substantial disability lasting at least 12 months that means you're virtually unable to walk regularly drive and cannot use parking meters because of a severe disability in both arms are responsible for a child under 3-years-old who needs to be kept close to a vehicle for medical treatment are responsible for a child under 3-years-old who uses bulky medical equipment that cannot be carried around have a mental health condition that means you lack awareness about the danger of traffic when making journeys Join the conversation on our Money Saving Scotland Facebook group for money-saving tips, the latest benefits news, energy updates and the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Sign up to our Record Money newsletter and get the top stories sent to your inbox daily from Monday to Friday, including a special cost of living edition on a Thursday - sign up here . You can also follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @Recordmoney_ for regular updates throughout the day. You can also get money news alerts on your phone by joining our Daily Record Money WhatsApp community .
.
