Where you can park as a Blue Badge holder
Being a Blue Badge holder means you are entitled to park in accessible on-street parking bays near to local amenities in towns and cities across the UK.
Although there may be accessible bays in public or council run car parks, different rules do apply and it is down to the car park owner to apply these restrictions.
Who qualifies for a Blue Badge
Gov.uk has outlined the qualification requirements for a Blue Badge if you live in the UK, which is split into automatic qualification and possible eligibility based on your criteria.
Automatic eligibility:
- You are registered blind (severely site impaired)
- You cannot walk more than 50 metres and you receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- You are in receipt of War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
- You have been certified as having a permanent or substantial disability that causes inability to walk or considerable difficulty in walking and you have received a lump sum benefit levels 1 – 8 of the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Scheme
- You receive the higher rate of the motability component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Possible eligibility:
- You cannot walk at all or require assistance from another person or a mobility aid
- You have a terminal illness which means you find walking difficult and have a DS1500 form
- You have a severe disability in both arms and drive regularly, but cannot operate pay-and-display parking machines
- Your child under the age of 3 has a medical condition that requires bulky medical equipment or the child must be kept close to the vehicle in case they need emergency medical treatment
- You frequently become extremely anxious or fearful of public/open spaces
If you do not automatically qualify, your local council will make the decision based on your application.
When you apply for a Blue Badge, you will need to provide the following information:
- Proof of identity
- Proof of address
- A recent photo
- NI number
- Contact details
- Proof of benefit (if applicable)
- Proof of eligibility (medication, treatment)
Who can use a Blue Badge
A Blue Badge should only be used by the person the badge is intended for, or their driver and must only be used when the owner is with the driver. The Blue Badge cannot be used by the driver if they are not the owner of the badge.
There are fines of up to £1,000 for misusing the badge as well as confiscation of the badge.
How the Blue Badge works
There are two ways in which the Blue Badge can be used. The first is simply displaying the badge visibly in on the dashboard where there are no time restrictions.
The second is when parking in a bay that has a time restriction, which is when you should display the clock alongside the badge. The clock should be set to the time of your arrival. You should display the clock clearly, facing outward so it can be read by any parking wardens.
Where Blue Badge holders can park
If you have recently qualified for a blue badge or you are heading to a new place you might want to confirm where you can and cannot park with a blue badge. Blue badge holders can park on on-street parking bays, on-street disabled bays and in off-street car parks in some instances. See below for the restrictions of each option.
On-street parking bays:
Blue Badge holders are entitled to park in on-street parking bays where there are parking meters or pay-and-display machines.
Ensure you check the signs and restrictions and if there are any time limits, set your parking clock alongside your Blue Badge.
On-street disabled parking bays:
If you are parking in on-street parking bays that have a blue wheelchair symbol, you can park for free using your Blue Badge as well as the clock if a time limit is stated.
Yellow lines:
Blue Badge holders are permitted to park on single and double yellow lines for up to 3 hours, providing there are no restrictions such as no loading.
You must always display your Blue Badge and ensure you are not blocking any access, either to a driveway, entrance or causing an obstruction to visibility for other drivers.
You should be aware that certain areas of London have their own regulations so it’s recommended you check these restrictions before you travel.
Off-street car parks
Off-street car parks are exempt from Blue Badge regulations, but often they will allow free parking for Blue Badge holders. It’s recommended you check the signs before parking up as the car park owners are the ones who will set the restrictions.
Where you cannot park with a Blue Badge
Being a Blue Badge holder means you still have to obey the rules of the road as outlined in the Highway Code.
Where you cannot park with a Blue Badge:
- A bus stop
- A ‘keep clear’ area outside a school
- An urban clearway during restricted hours
- Clearways/no-stopping
- Pedestrian crossings (all types)
- Zig zag lines
- Bus, tram or cycle lane
- Where double white lines are in the centre of the road
If you are looking to upgrade to a wheelchair accessible vehicle, look no further than Wholesale Car Company, who would be happy to assist.