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United Kingdom Blue Badge (disabled parking permit) photo requirements

The photo rules set by Local councils (applied for via GOV.UK) for the United Kingdom Blue Badge (disabled parking permit), with the official wording and sources.

Based on 4 official sources · last checked Official sources Page history

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Quick answer

What are the United Kingdom Blue Badge (disabled parking permit) photo requirements?

The online Blue Badge application asks for a recent digital photo showing your head and shoulders. Your council decides the application and may add rules: Buckinghamshire, for example, wants a colour photo taken within the last month, showing only you, unedited and without a hat or sunglasses.

The GOV.UK Blue Badge application asks for a recent digital photo showing the applicant's head and shoulders. A badge costs up to £10 in England and £20 in Scotland, is free in Wales, and usually lasts up to 3 years. The council decides the application, usually within 12 weeks, and may add its own photo rules.

A person can apply for themselves, for someone else or for an organisation, and the same service is used to renew. Northern Ireland has a separate service on nidirect. GOV.UK does not give a photo size, file type or background colour.

United Kingdom Blue Badge (disabled parking permit) photo size and specifications

The requirements as published by Local councils (applied for via GOV.UK):[1]

Head heightHead and shoulders shown
ColourColour (Buckinghamshire Council)
Photo ageRecent (GOV.UK); within the last month (Buckinghamshire Council)
File formatDigital photo (no file type stated by GOV.UK)

Key requirements

  • GOV.UK requirement

    A recent digital photo showing the head and shoulders. GOV.UK does not state a size, file type or background colour.

  • Other documents

    The application also asks for a photo or scan of proof of identity, proof of address and proof of any benefits.

  • Buckinghamshire Council example

    The photo should be taken within the last month, be in colour, show only the applicant, be a real photograph rather than a picture of another document, be unedited and a true likeness, and show the applicant without a hat or sunglasses unless worn for religious or medical reasons.

  • Councils vary

    Rules differ between councils, so the local council's Blue Badge page should be checked.

  • Applying for someone else

    Use a recent photo of the applicant, not of the person applying. Some councils, such as Buckinghamshire, say the photo must show only the applicant.

Do's and don'ts

Do

  • Use a recent head-and-shoulders photo of the applicant
  • Check the local council's own photo rules

Don't

  • Do not use a picture of another document
  • Do not edit the photo
  • Do not include other people

Glasses

No sunglasses (Buckinghamshire Council), unless worn for religious or medical reasons. GOV.UK states no glasses rule.

Headwear and religious dress

No hat unless worn for religious or medical reasons (Buckinghamshire Council).

A digital photo is uploaded with the online application.

Where to submit the photo

Online via GOV.UK (apply for or renew a Blue Badge), uploaded with a photo or scan of proof of identity, address and any benefits. Applications can be saved and completed later. The same service is used for renewal and the applicant must reapply before the current badge expires; a lost, stolen or damaged badge not due to expire within 3 months uses GOV.UK's separate replacement service. Northern Ireland applicants use nidirect.

How to get your United Kingdom Blue Badge (disabled parking permit) photo

  1. Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the United Kingdom Blue Badge (disabled parking permit). Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
  2. Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: gOV.UK requirement; other documents; buckinghamshire Council example; councils vary.
  3. Prepare a print or digital file. A digital photo is uploaded with the online application.
  4. Submit the photo with your application. Online via GOV.UK (apply for or renew a Blue Badge), uploaded with a photo or scan of proof of identity, address and any benefits. Applications can be saved and completed later.

United Kingdom Blue Badge (disabled parking permit) photo FAQ

The GOV.UK application asks for a recent digital photo showing your head and shoulders. Your council may add its own rules, so check its Blue Badge page too.

GOV.UK does not give a size, file type or background for the Blue Badge photo. If your council does not either, a clear digital photo that meets the UK passport photo rules is a sensible standard to aim for.

It depends on your council. Buckinghamshire, for example, says no hat or sunglasses unless they are worn for religious or medical reasons.

GOV.UK asks for a recent photo, and some councils are stricter: Buckinghamshire wants one taken within the last month. Take a new photo when you reapply.

Up to £10 in England and £20 in Scotland. It is free in Wales. How you pay depends on your council.

Usually up to 3 years. You must reapply before your current badge expires, and councils usually decide within 12 weeks.

Northern Ireland has its own Blue Badge application on nidirect, separate from the GOV.UK service.

Related photo specifications

Other United Kingdom documents

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Official sources

  1. GOV.UK. Apply for or renew a Blue Badge gov.uk. Checked 29 October 2026.
  2. Buckinghamshire Council. What you need to apply for a Blue Badge buckinghamshire.gov.uk. Checked 29 October 2026.
  3. nidirect. Blue Badge scheme (Northern Ireland) nidirect.gov.uk. Checked 29 October 2026.
  4. GOV.UK (HM Passport Office). Get a passport photo - digital photos gov.uk. Checked 29 October 2026.

Requirements can change, so always confirm with Local councils (applied for via GOV.UK) before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.

Cite this page

"United Kingdom Blue Badge (disabled parking permit) photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/united-kingdom/blue-badge-photo

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