While blue badge holders are typically allowed to park on yellow lines, this is not always the case
Blue badge holders have been issued a serious warning about parking on yellow lines as they could be breaking some rules. Experts have cautioned you must never presume your badges permit them to park wherever they choose.
Although the badges typically enable people with disabilities or certain medical conditions to park on double yellow lines or in car parks without charge, this won’t always apply. Certain areas may have particular regulations regarding blue badge usage, so without proper care, motorists could find themselves facing a penalty, even if they were unaware they were breaching any rules.
Blue badge regulations aren’t uniform across all locations, so it’s always crucial to check the signs. As reported by BirminghamLive, Daniel Swain, from Seacroft Mobility, explained: “It’s a really common problem. Most people think their blue badge is a licence to park anywhere for free, but that’s just not the case.
“Different councils, and even different car parks, have their own rules. A simple mistake could cost you hundreds in fines or, in the worst cases, result in your badge being taken away.”
A spokesperson for Seacroft Mobility added: “A blue badge doesn’t always guarantee free parking in a private car park, like at a supermarket or hospital. You must always read the signs there, as you might still have to pay or register your car.”
Even when you can park on a yellow line, there’s usually a time limit of three hours. “If you don’t display your parking clock showing your arrival time, you can be fined,” they added.
This is supported by advice on the GOV.UK website. The Government states that you should check the rules with the local council.
“Badge holders may park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours, but in general not where there are restrictions on loading or unloading – indicated by yellow kerb dashes and / or signs on plates,” it says.
“You may wish to check whether a particular local council has chosen to exempt blue badge holders from this restriction. Where local schemes apply, such as those that apply in parts of central London, you should check the rules for that area. You are not entitled to park on yellow lines in off-street car parks.”
On top of this you must make sure you correctly display your badge in the car windscreen. It says: “You must display the blue badge and the blue parking clock showing the quarter hour period during which you arrived.
“You must wait for at least one hour after a previous period of parking before you can park the same vehicle in the same road or part of a road on the same day.”
It is important to remember that it is also a criminal offence for you or anyone else to misuse the badge. Doing so could lead to a £1,000 fine and confiscation of the badge.
GOV.UK adds: “The badge is for your use and benefit only. It must only be displayed if you are travelling in the vehicle as a driver or passenger, or if someone is collecting you or dropping you off and needs to park at the place where you are being collected or dropped.”
Therefore you must not:
- Allow other people to use the badge to do something on your behalf, such as shopping or collecting something for you
- Give the badge to friends or family to allow them to park for free, even if they are visiting you
- Use the badge to allow non-disabled people to take advantage of the benefits while you sit in the car
For more information, visit the Government website here.