Blue badge scheme

The scheme is administered by local authorities who deal with applications and assessments as well as the issue of the badges. If you are registered blind or have a mobility disability you may be entitled to a blue badge – contact your local council for details.

For details of parking concessions in Europe for holders of blue badges, please contact the Department for Transport. 

Basic rules for Blue Badge Holders

• Always display your badge and clock clearly on the dashboard of the vehicle
• Never stop where your vehicle will cause an obstruction to traffic or pedestrians
• Never stop on white ‘zig-zag’ markings
• Never park on the pavement (except where signs indicate that this is legal)
• Never park in suspended bays
• Be careful to observe the special rules for central London (City of London, City of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea and parts of Camden) and Gatwick and Heathrow airports
• Do not park on red routes, unless you are in the signed red route box bays provided
• Do not allow others to use your blue badge – this is a criminal offence.

Congestion Charge

Blue Badge holders may apply for a 100% discount to the Congestion Charge zone. Information can be found on the Congestion Charge page of the Transport for London website, where there is also specific information about the Blue Badge exemption. 

Blue Badge Fraud

Blue Badge fraud usually takes two forms. This is either the misuse of valid badges by friends and family members not permitted to use the badge, or by drivers using lost, stolen or counterfeit badges. In all instances, the illegal use of Blue Badges constitutes a criminal offence. 

All councils, together with the Metropolitan Police, City of London Police, British Transport Police and Transport for London are determined to stamp out Blue Badge fraud and will aim to prosecute abusers. A successful prosecution will result in a criminal record and a hefty fine (usually over £1000).