Where can I park a car with a blue badge?

The BLUE badge allows people with disabilities to access parking spots more easily.

Exclusive parking space for blue badge holder tend to be closer to the entrance and cover larger areas.

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Where can I park a car with a blue badge?

Blue Badge Owner can perched on alone or yellow double line for up to three hours as long as there are no loading and unloading restrictions.

They must display their badge with a parking meter set to the person’s arrival time.

If there is a payment and display machine on the street or a parking meter, you can park there for free with your badge visible.

Any place that has a sign indicating a parking lot with a blue badge is open to your use.

Review private parking if it is free because some places still charge for disabled parking.

If you are not sure where you can park, check the website or contact the council or the owner of the car park.

You must still obey the traffic laws and not park illegally.

The government website says the badge is “not a parking permit anywhere”.

Who can use the blue badge?

Anyone with a disability that limits their mobility is eligible for a blue badge.

You must be incapacitated, difficult to walk, dangerous or harmful while walking.

If you are blind or have a hand disability, you can also get a blue badge.

This can be used whenever you need to travel or park somewhere, either as a driver or a passenger.

It cannot be used by others doing something on your behalf unless you will also be in the vehicle.

How to display the badge?

To display the badge correctly, it needs to be on your vehicle’s dashboard or facia dashboard.

If that is not possible, you need to display it where it is clearly visible from the outside.

The face of the photo should not be seen from the outside but the hologram should be facing up.

Visually impaired people need to make sure that the person displaying the badge tells them the correct way.

If it is not displayed correctly, this may result in a parking fine or penalty charge notice.

In time-limited spaces, you need to display a blue parking meter showing your arrival time.

This watch should come with your badge but can be requested from the board.

What benefits can I claim if I have a blue badge?

Some benefits automatically qualify you for a blue badge.

If you are on the higher rate of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independent Payment (PIP), you will automatically receive a blue badge.

Many badge holders are also eligible for road tax waiver and you get a full refund for the remaining months when you apply for the waiver.

You can also request that a handicapped parking space be created near your home.

Some toll roads are allowed to cross if you have a blue badge.

Your blue badge does not affect your ability to claim government assistance if you are eligible.

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Can a person with a blue badge park in regular parking lots?

If you don’t have parking space in a handicapped bay or a shared bay, it’s easier to park there too.

The same rules apply to a normal bay but remember to show your badge or you may be charged like everyone else.

Disabled parking garages are designed to make parking and getting in and out easier, and therefore tend to be closer to the entrance and wider.

If you have the option, it’s better to park in a designated bay, especially if it’s busy and space is limited for non-disabled drivers.

Green Badge holders are not allowed to park in the queue compartments.

Can I use my blue badge abroad?

Blue badge scheme is used to cover you when travel around the EU.

Now that the UK has left the EU, not all European countries recognize the blue badge.

The UK Government website says negotiations are still ongoing but this has not been updated as of January 2021.

There are no alternative plans in place so the best idea is to check with the embassy of your destination country.

Guidelines also vary outside of the European Union, with some US states recognizing the badge but others not.

Check FIA Guide for visitors with disabilities to check the rules.

When do I have to return the badge?

Blue badges expire every three years and must be returned once this happens.

You can request a new one from the council, costs vary across the UK.

If your mobility improves and you are no longer eligible, you must return the badge.

In the event that you lose your badge and request another badge, if you find the original badge, you must return it as well.

After a while, your badges may become dimmed or illegible, these badges are no longer legal and must be returned.

Regarding the death of the badge holder, it must also be returned to the council.