What are the rules for blue badges?

The Blue Badge scheme has been created in order to help people with sever mobility problems. The Blue Badge that is provided to some motorists that mobility problems will allow them to park close to where they need to go. The scheme operates throughout the UK and is operated by local authorities in different areas. The local government authorities will have a department that will deal with the applications for the scheme and they are responsible for issuing the badges.

Misuse of the Blue Badge will result in it being removed and different potential convictions are in place. It is an offence to allow anybody else to use the blue badge that has been issued. This includes cases where the badge owner has asked somebody else to do something on their behalf while they stay at home, this will result in the badge being removed. Allowing friends or family to use the badge so that they can park for free is also strictly forbidden; even in cases where the badge holder is being visited by them. Letting non-disable people taken advantage of the benefits of the badge while the badge holder is in the car is also against the rules. The maximum fine that can be imposed for mistreatment of the Blue Badge benefits can be 1,000. This does not include any penalty charges that may be imposed for parking offences.

There are numerous officials who are in the position to check the Blue Badge and to check who is displaying the badge. These people include police officers, traffic wardens, local authority parking attendants and civil enforcement officers. Badge holders should produce an identity card that has a photograph on in order to prove who they say they are. If an enforcement official requests to see the Blue Badge the badge holder must produce it, failing to so would see the laws being broken and this could see a fine of up to 1,000 being imposed.

Badge holders are responsible for ensuring that they follow the rules which are in place in regards to the Blue Badge Service. Parking should be within a clearly marked disabled bay and the Blue Badge should be on show at all times. There are two parts to the badge and both of these should be displayed. Failure to park within a disable bay with the blue badge visible may result in a parking fine being imposed and may also result in the badge being revoked.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/disabledpeople/motoringandtransport/dg_4001061