It is a criminal offence to misuse a Blue Badge. Doing so could lead to a £1,000 fine and confiscation of the badge.
When using your Blue Badge, it must:
- only be used in the vehicle that the badge holder is travelling in
- be clearly displayed and visible through the windscreen, with the photo face-down
- not be used by friends or relatives to run errands without the badge holder
- be accompanied by a 'parking-clock' (provided with the badge) showing the start of your parking session
You can find out more about how to use your Blue Badge in the GOV.UK Blue Badge rights and responsibilities guidance which is provided with every Blue Badge.
Where to use your badge
The badge is for on-street parking.
Off street car parks, supermarkets, hospitals, and privately owned roads, have separate rules and you should check the signs on display. The rules for parking in council-operated car parks can vary between councils.
Your badge is valid across the UK, but there are some restrictions in central London. You can also register for congestion charge exemption on the Transport for London website.
Parking concessions vary in each country within the European Union (EU). Before travelling with a Blue Badge, you should check the government's guidance on using your badge in the EU.