Know the rules
A Blue Badge is for the use and benefit only of the person to whom the badge has been issued. Further information is available on the GOV.UK website: The Blue Badge scheme: rights and responsibilities in England information
Blue Badge misuse is a criminal offence which could lead to a £1,000 fine and confiscation of the badge. A court prosecution can affect employment, job prospects, travel visa applications, insurance, etc. Legal action may also be taken in circumstances where false information has been provided to acquire a Blue Badge.
Please remember:
Parking for Blue Badge holders is free and unlimited in all council operated pay to park facilities, provided that the Blue Badge is clearly and correctly displayed and the rules of the Blue Badge scheme are followed.
Blue Badge holders and anyone driving on their behalf should be fully aware of the following four key rules:
- Blue Badge holders must never allow friends or relatives to use the badge to run an errand on their behalf.
- A Blue Badge should only be displayed if the badge holder is travelling in the vehicle as a driver or passenger, or for the badge holder to be picked up or dropped off.
- A Blue Badge should not be used by a visitor, unless they have parked to pick up the badge holder.
- The badge holder should not wait in the car while a friend or relative goes shopping. This could prevent another badge holder from parking within a manageable distance of their destination.
Blue Badge checks
Police officers, council officers and civil enforcement officers have the power to inspect a Blue Badge and confiscate it if they believe it is being misused. A Blue Badge must be shown to the officer when such a request is made. Officers may operate in plain clothes but will be able to produce identification to prove who they are.
As part of our measures to enforce the Blue Badge scheme and protect its integrity, our officers conduct checks on the status of all Blue Badges seen on display around the borough against real-time information stored on the government’s database. A Penalty Charge Notice may be issued if a Blue Badge is found to have been cancelled for any reason alongside a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the incident with the potential for prosecution where abuse of the scheme is found to have occurred.
Please also remember
You should return expired or cancelled badges or those that are no longer needed to the issuing authority shown on the badge immediately.
Report suspected misuse
You can report Blue Badge misuse if you have any information or concerns about this. The council will seek to prosecute all cases of misuse.