Blue Badge Scheme
Blue Badge Scheme
The Blue Badge Scheme is designed for motorists with a disability, or their caregivers, to access parking bays closer to their destination than for those ordinarily available to the general motoring public. The Blue Badge Scheme is intended to apply just for on-street parking. Off street parking provided by local authorities, hospitals and private car parks are governed by separate rules.
The criteria for the Blue Badge Scheme are very strict and applications must be made through your local council.
Blue Badge holders must display their badge correctly while they are parked, just as if they were parked in a conventional privately-operated off-street Pay & Display car park. Failure to do so my result in a parking ticket.
Blue Badge holders may park for free in ‘on-street’ parks that use parking meters and Pay & Display machines if their Blue Badge is displayed.
All car parks should provide parking spaces for disabled people. However, Blue Badge holders should always consult the terms and conditions in any off-street parking situation as not all off-street car parks will allow Blue Badge holders to park for free.
While the Blue Badge scheme makes generous provisions for legitimate holders, it is not a license to park anywhere. Users should be cognisant of causing obstruction or parking in a way that might endanger other road users, as these sorts of parking practices can still result in a parking ticket.
Blue Badge holders should also be aware when parking in London. Some London boroughs have their own specific parking conditions for Blue Badge holders.
