Across England, around 4.2 per cent of the population have a Blue Badge according to the most recent data from 2021.

For many, a Blue Badge is essential to their everyday life, allowing them to park close to a destination whether it be for the driver or passenger.

Although many people in England are holders of a Blue Badge, not everyone is aware of their rights and responsibilities surrounding the government-issued document.

It's important to note that while a Blue Badge is used across the UK, rules for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland vary.

What responsibilities do Blue Badge holders have? 

The government states that as a holder you "must use the Blue Badge properly", adding: "The badge and its concessions are for your use only."

If you misuse the badge it is a criminal offence and could lead to a £1,000 fine and confiscation of the badge.

The government adds: "If you are using the parking concessions as a passenger, it is your responsibility to make sure that the driver is aware of all the rules set out in this guidance."

What can you not do with a Blue Badge?

If you are a Blue Badge holder you must never give the badge to friends or family to allow them to have the benefit of the parking concessions.

Furthermore, you must never use a copied badge to park or try to change the details on a badge.

If you misuse the badge you not only risk a fine but as the badge remains the property of the issuing local council, they can ask for the badge to be returned if it is being misused.

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Who can get a Blue Badge?

The following categories mean you automatically qualify for a badge.

  • you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
  • you receive a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) because you can’t walk more than 50 metres (a score of 8 points or more under the ‘moving around’ activity of the mobility component)
  • you are registered blind (severely sight impaired)
  • you receive a War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
  • you have received a lump sum benefit within tariff levels 1 to 8 of the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation) Scheme and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking
  • you receive the mobility component of PIP and have obtained 10 points specifically for descriptor E under the ‘planning and following journeys’ activity, on the grounds that you are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress

The following people may be able to get a Blue Badge:

  • you cannot walk at all
  • you cannot walk without help from someone else or using mobility aids
  • you find walking very difficult due to pain, breathlessness or the time it takes
  • walking is dangerous to your health and safety
  • you have a life limiting illness, which means you cannot walk or find walking very difficult and have a SR1 form
  • you have a severe disability in both arms and drive regularly, but cannot operate pay-and-display parking machines
  • you have a child under the age of 3 with a medical condition that means the child always needs to be accompanied by bulky medical equipment
  • you have a child under the age of 3 with a medical condition that means the child must always be kept near a vehicle in case they need emergency medical treatment
  • you are constantly a significant risk to yourself or others near vehicles, in traffic or car parks
  • you struggle severely to plan or follow a journey
  • you find it difficult or impossible to control your actions and lack awareness of the impact you could have on others
  • you regularly have intense and overwhelming responses to situations causing temporary loss of behavioural control
  • you frequently become extremely anxious or fearful of public/open spaces

What is the correct way to display a Blue Badge?

Blue Badge holders must display the badge on the dashboard or facia panel so it can be read through the front windscreen.

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If there is no dashboard or facia panel in your vehicle, you must display the badge in a place where it can be clearly read from outside the vehicle.

The front of the badge needs to face upwards showing the hologram and the side showing the photograph should not be visible through the windscreen.

Plus, you must also ensure that the details on the front of the badge remain legible, if they become unreadable through fading or wear and tear, you must return the badge to your local council so they can issue you with a new one. 

If you display a badge that is illegible it may result in a parking fine.