Parking tips for Blue Badge holders

The Blue Badge scheme helps disabled people park closer to their destinations when they’re out and about. Local councils manage the Blue Badge scheme which is a huge help to lots of people with limited mobility. In this article, you’ll find some parking tips to keep in mind when using your Blue Badge.

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In 2023, over 2.5 million people in the UK had a Blue Badge. Having a Blue Badge allows you to park in many places that others cannot, often for longer periods. However, it’s important to know what the rules are for using your Blue Badge, so that you know you’re using it properly. Whether it’s a local council car park, a private car park, or on a public road, the rules can vary across the UK. 

To help you better understand some of these rules, we’ve put together a short list of things you should know about using your Blue Badge.

By following these tips and understanding how to use your Blue Badge properly, you can have a better driving experience. Plus, if you lease a vehicle through the Motability Scheme, you’ll also enjoy the benefits of a worry-free lease package, including insurance, breakdown cover, tyres, and maintenance.  

1. On-street parking with your Blue Badge

While your Blue Badge does give you the right to park in lots of spaces, it does not mean you can park everywhere.

The UK Government states that your badge is intended for on-street parking only, and there are different rules for off-street private car parks (such as those found at hospitals or shopping centres). The Blue Badge parking concessions do not apply to privately owned roads.

In general, you can park on-street in the following places for free:

• On single and double yellow lines for up to three hours, unless there is a ban on loading or unloading in that area. Check the local signs to be sure.
• In ‘on-street’ disabled parking bays, marked with a blue wheelchair symbol. You can park in these for as long as you need unless the signs say a specific time limit.
• Where there are parking meters, pay & display machines, or spaces where a wheelchair symbol is displayed. 

If you’re ever unsure about parking somewhere, you can check the local council’s rules online. The UK Government website has an easy tool. This lets you type in a postcode, and then takes you to the relevant council’s website so that you can find the parking information you need. 

You might also find it helpful to look on the Government website for the different Blue Badge parking rules in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

2. Off-street parking with your Blue Badge

As a Blue Badge holder, you can only use your badge to park on-street. Your Blue Badge does not entitle you to use your Blue Badge in off-street car parks, but there are lots of places that offer free, dedicated parking spaces for disabled people.

You’ll need to check the signs to make sure before you park, as you could risk getting a fine if you’re not allowed to park there. Motability Scheme customer Helen shares her experience of this happening:

In the early days of having a Blue Badge, I parked in an off-street pay and display car park. I wrongly assumed that like on-street parking, it was free for Blue Badge holders. On returning to my car I saw the bright yellow ticket slapped on my windscreen and realised I’d made a mistake […] It completely depends on the car park whether Blue Badge holders have to pay so always check the signs when you park your car.”

Helen’s advice to always check the signs wherever you park is helpful. She shares that while pay and display machines can be difficult to use for herself and other Blue Badge holders, the option to pay by her phone has made this a lot easier.

3. Rules for using your Blue Badge in London

London is the city with the largest population in the UK. So, it’s no surprise some London boroughs have their own parking rules that differ from other councils. In some cases, this means you cannot park on yellow lines, and you may need to have a special Red Badge* when you park in the City of London.

Here are some other rules to be aware of when using your Blue Badge in London:

• Make sure you clock in: If you park somewhere with a time restriction, make sure you display your parking clock clearly. 
• Do not park on pavements: Pavement parking is not allowed in London (except where there are signs saying it is allowed). 
• Be mindful of pedestrians and traffic: Never park where you can cause obstructions to others. 

Learn more about using your Blue Badge in London.

*The Red Badge scheme is for City of London residents and workers with disabilities. This badge gives extra parking facilities within the City of London. The City of London Family Information Service shares more information on this.

4. Your Blue Badge must always be visible

It sounds simple, but one of the most important things to remember when using a Blue Badge is that you must display it correctly. Here are some things to be mindful of when displaying your badge:

• Display your badge on the dashboard 
• It must be clear to see through the windscreen from outside the car and should be facing upwards with the hologram on show
• You do not need to have the side that shows your photograph on display

If someone is displaying the badge for you, make sure they know how to do this properly. 

If your Blue Badge is not displayed correctly, this could result in a parking fine or a penalty charge notice.

5. You need to reapply for a new badge before your current one expires

Blue Badges usually last up to 3 years and you need to reapply before your current one expires. 

Motability Scheme customer Sarah shares her experience of reapplying for a Blue Badge. She’d forgotten to renew it until three weeks before it was due to expire, and this caused her a lot of stress. Sarah shares her advice, so others do not make the same mistake as she did:  

“I’ve made sure that I will not forget next time by putting the date in my phone. I schedule everything in my phone, such as hospital appointments, birthdays, everything. So, two months before my Blue Badge permit is due to expire, I have blocked the whole month out in red to remind me that I need to renew it.”

You can apply or renew your Blue Badge online on the UK Government website. Here’s a list of some of the things you need to have for your Blue Badge application:  

• A recent digital photo showing your head and shoulders
• Proof of your identity, such as a passport or driving licence
• Proof of your address, such as a Council tax bill
• Proof of benefits (if you receive them), such as Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
• Your National Insurance Number (if you have one)
• The details of your current Blue Badge (if you already have one)

6. Rules for using your Blue Badge to park in Europe

If you’re travelling in Europe, then your Blue Badge can also allow you special parking concessions in some countries. It’s worth checking the UK Government website before you travel, so you can find a list of countries that accept it and find out what the rules are.

7. Only you can use your Blue Badge

Your Blue Badge is for your personal use and benefit only. To use your badge, you should either be driving, travelling as a passenger, or being picked up or dropped off. You should not allow someone to use your badge to do something on your behalf, like shopping or collecting something for you. It’s a criminal offence to misuse your badge.

Find more information about who can use your Blue Badge on the UK Government website.

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