The Blue Badge (formerly known as the Orange Badge) allows people to park for free at places like parking meters and pay-and-display bays. It also allows extended parking where there is usually a time restriction and on single and double yellow lines, unless there is a ban on loading and unloading. You cannot park in bus or cycle lanes and must obey other parking regulations. It does not apply on private land.

You should not be wheel-clamped if the badge is displayed correctly, though the police may remove your car if it is causing an obstruction. You can use the Blue Badge either if you are the driver of the vehicle or a passenger in your own or someone else's vehicle.

The scheme is administered by your local authority and applies throughout England, Wales and Scotland, but the London areas Westminster; Kensington and Chelsea; the City of London and parts of Camden have different rules. Other areas may also have their own variations. You should contact your local Social Services Department (Social Work Department in Scotland).

To be eligible for the Blue Badge you must satisfy one of the following conditions:

• Receive the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement.

• Use a vehicle supplied by a Government health department; or
• Be registered blind; or
• Have a severe disability in both upper arms, drive a motor vehicle regularly but be unable to turn the steering wheel by hand even if that wheel is fitted with a knob; or
• Have a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.

Our Keeping Mobile leaflet, which contains advice on keeping active in later life, is available to download from the health advice page.