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Parking
The Blue Badge parking scheme
For drivers or passengers with severe mobility problems, the Blue Badge scheme offers a range of parking benefits throughout the UK.
Click here to find out if you qualify for a Blue Badge
The scheme applies to on-road parking only, and allows you to park without charge at metered or 'pay and display' parking bays. It is also possible for Blue Badge holders to park on yellow lines for up to three hours (except where there are other stopping restrictions in force), and there is generally an exemption from the parking time limits imposed on other vehicles.
There are certain parking spaces reserved exclusively for Blue Badge holders, and it is an offence to park a vehicle without a Blue Badge there.
Off-road parking facilities - for example, supermarket car parks - are not covered by the Blue Badge scheme, and although they will have designated disabled parking bays, there is no legal power to prevent non-disabled motorists from using them. There is however, considerable moral power, so do report abuse to the management.
The Baywatch Campaign, which has the support of the RAC, Department of Transport, and the four big supermarket chains, monitors the situation, and campaigns to change attitudes. Their latest annual survey found around one in five disabled parking spaces being used by a non-disabled motorist: there is still clearly some way to go in changing attitudes.
Your Blue Badge can also be used when travelling around the EU and some toher European countries. You apply for it from your local authority.
If you travel to London, the Blue Badge will exempt you from the Congestion Charge - but you need to apply to Transport for London (TfL), before travelling. Telephone: 0845 900 1234 Minicom users: 020 7649 9123
Do you qualify for a Blue Badge?
You may do if:
• you receive the higher rate of the Mobility Component of the Disability
Living Allowance (DLA)
• you are a registered blind person
• you receive a War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement
• you use a motor vehicle supplied by a government health department
• you are a regular driver with severe disability in both arms,
making it impossible to turn a steering wheel by hand, even if it has
a turning knob
• you have a permanent and substantial disability which makes it
impossible or extremely difficult for you to walk
