Blue Badge Scheme

This is the second article about the Blue Badge Parking Scheme for Disabled People.  The first article dealt with the process of applying for a Parking Card and can be found here:

• http://disabledpeople.org/essentials/can-i-get-a-blue-badge/

In this article, we will look more at the ways the card can be used.

How To Display Your Badge

No matter where you live in the United Kingdom, the design of the Disabled Persons Parking Card is the same (except the Welsh version has some Welsh language on it).

The Front of the card has:

• The Blue “Wheelchair” Symbol
• The UK “EU” Symbol
• Card Expiry Date
• Name of Issuing Body
• Serial Number of the card

The Back of the card has:

• The Card Holder’s Personal Details
• Forename
• Surname
• Signature
• Photograph

It is very important that the card can be clearly seen through the windscreen of the vehicle, FRONT side up.  If you can see your Photo, it’s the WRONG way up.

There are loads of reports all the time of Jobs-worth people getting stroppy about this and refusing to drop fines because of an honest mistake.  Don’t take the chance, get it right!

In ENGLAND and WALES, you MAY need a time clock to go with your badge.  These are not necessary in Scotland but if you are a Scot travelling South, make sure you have one with you.

Parking Concessions

The Blue Badge Scheme in the UK allows holders a series of parking concessions relating to On Street Parking.  This means that a holder can park without paying and for as long as they need where spaces are controlled by parking meters or on street pay and display.  This is providing there aren’t any local regulations in place.  This applies to Scotland, England and Wales.

Badge Holders can also park on single and double yellow lines provided there are no loading restrictions and they are not causing an obstruction.  Here though the rules differ depending on where you are.  In ENGLAND and WALES you are limited to three hours but in SCOTLAND there is no time limit.  In LONDON there are areas where the Blue Badge is not valid at all.

Red lines generally mean that vehicles are not allowed to stop.  A Blue Badge holder can stop to load but is not allowed to park.

The final concession for On-Street parking refers to time limits.  There are a lot of regional and local variations here but in the main, you should be able to ignore any time restrictions placed on free, on street parking spaces.

Off Street Parking

At the moment there Blue Badge does not automatically entitle the holder to any off street concessions.  That said, there are many example of both local authorities and private companies using the Blue Badge Scheme to give concessions to their customers.  Restrictions and concessions vary, so notice should be taken of any signs.

It is also worth noting that there are rules in place that stop vehicles displaying Blue Badges from being towed or clamped.

Other Concessions

As well as parking concessions, the Blue Badge can also entitle the holder to a series of other concessions.  This includes bridge tolls and ferry fares.  Sometimes these concessions need a bit of forward planning like the exemption from the central London congestion charge.  These need to be applied for in advance.

Comment

If you qualify for a badge you should be sent a booklet with your badge outlining it’s use.  This is easy to read and tells you all you need to know.  It’s fairly easy to get the hang of the restrictions and concessions in your home area but it’s always worth a check if you’re travelling a little further from home, especially if you are travelling into central London or crossing the England/Scotland  border.

Remember that the card is for the use of the card holder only.  A traffic warden has the right to inspect the card at any time and it can be taken away if you aren’t using it correctly.

Links

• Welsh Assembly Information about the Blue Badge Scheme
• Scottish Government Information about Blue Badges
• Blue Badge Information for Disabled People in Northern Ireland
• Blue Badge Information on Direct.gov