03 September 2023 , 08:32
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The Blue Badge enables people with disability or health condition that impacts their ability to walk to park closer to places they want to go. Any holder, whether it be a vehicle's driver or passenger, can park in accessible parking bays.
However, some simple examples of its misuse can lead to prosecution from authorities as they are classed as a crime. These include displaying the piece of plastic in such a way that the details on the front aren’t readable, and entering the wrong time on its clock when parking in a time-sensitive bay.
Guidance states that when you are parking in an area where the badge is required, it must be placed on your vehicle's dashboard where it can be read clearly through the front windscreen. The front of the badge - which includes its expiry date - should face upwards, rather than the reverse, which includes the holder's photograph.
The creation of a copy of the Blue Badge or allowing another person to use it are two of the most common forms of misuse, meanwhile, and are strictly forbidden. The Department of Transport guidance says: "It is a criminal offence for you or anyone else to misuse the badge. Doing so could lead to a £1,000 fine and confiscation of the badge."
And importantly, it adds: "If your badge becomes unreadable through wear and tear, return the badge to your Local Authority so that they can issue you with a new one." A full list of rules and regulations when using the Blue Badge can be found below.
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One of the most important things to remember is to display the Blue Badge facing upwards on your dashboard in a clearly visible manner (Universal Images Group via Getty Images)Top tips for parking with your Blue Badge
- If you are not getting out of the vehicle, you should not use your Blue Badge to get a parking space
- If you are a passenger, someone else can use your Blue Badge to drop you off or pick you up
- If you are a passenger and the driver is remaining in the car, the badge must be removed from the vehicle and the driver should park in a non-disabled parking space
- You should check for time restrictions on nearby signs or with the Local Authorities and use a parking clock
- You can park on single or double yellow lines, unless there are loading restrictions in place
- Never park where it would endanger, inconvenience or obstruct pedestrians or other road users - parking here could result in a fine or having your vehicle removed
Where you can park with a Blue Badge
- parking free of charge and without time limit at on-street parking meter spaces
- parking free of charge and without time limit at on-street pay-and-display spaces
- parking free of charge at on-street disabled person’s parking spaces
- parking free of charge on single or double yellow lines, unless there are loading restrictions in place and as long as it is safe to do so
11 places where you cannot park
Even with a Blue Badge you cannot park in the following places:
- in loading/unloading bays unless signs specify time limits for badge holders
- on double or single red lines during their hours of operation
- where there are one or two yellow markings on the kerb
- where there are double white lines in the centre of the road, even if one of the lines is broken
- parking places reserved for specific users such as residents or taxis
- pedestrian crossings and zigzag lines
- clearways (no stopping) including urban and bus stop clearways, during their hours of operation
- school ‘keep clear’ markings during the hours shown on yellow no-stopping plate
- bus, tram or cycle lanes (Badge holders are not entitled to drive in bus lanes)
- suspended meter bays or when use of the meter is not allowed
- where temporary parking restrictions are in force - such as roadworks or no-waiting cones
Top 10 things to remember when using your Blue Badge
- You must follow the rules when using your Blue Badge, if you don’t you are committing a crime
- You can only use your Blue Badge as a driver or passenger
- No-one else should use your badge if you are not in the vehicle with them
- If you are not getting out of the vehicle, you should not use your Blue Badge to get a parking space
- You must not let other people use your badge
- You must display your Blue Badge the right way up so the number can be seen clearly and your photo is face down
- You must apply for a new badge before your old badge runs out
- If your badge gets damaged you must apply for a new one
- Keep your badge safe. If it is lost or stolen, you must tell the police and the Local Council
- Check signs to make sure that Blue Badge holders are allowed to park there
Returning your Blue Badge
You must return a badge to your Local Authority if:
the badge has expired
your medical condition or mobility improves and you no longer qualify for the badge
the badge becomes damaged or faded and cannot be read
your entitlement for a temporary badge ends
the badge holder dies
you have misused your badge and have received a withdrawal notice
A Blue Badge costs up to £10 in England, £20 in Scotland, and is free in Wales. They are valid for three years - find out whether you qualify and how to apply for one here.