Parking with a Blue Badge

You must always display your Blue Badge and the disabled person's parking disc showing the time of arrival. You can only park with a Blue Badge if the badge holder is driving the vehicle or the badge holder is being dropped off or picked up at the place where the vehicle is parked. The parking must be of benefit to the badge holder (eg a badge holder cannot stay in a parked vehicle whilst another person leaves the vehicles to visit as shop etc).

Displaying your Blue Badge

You must display your Blue Badge on top of the dashboard or facia panel of the vehicle with the front of the badge (the side showing the wheelchair-user symbol) facing forward so that the details are readable from outside of the vehicle.

If the vehicle does not have a dashboard or facia panel you must place the badge wear it is clearly visible.

The badge should only be displayed when using the parking benefits under the Scheme, except if the vehicle is being driven by someone other than the badge holder for the purpose of entering or leaving an area (which is accessible only to vehicles displaying a Blue Badge) in order to pick up or drop off the badge holder.

Similar badges given to organisations caring for disabled people must not be used by non-disabled members for their own benefit. These badges must not be on display except when the vehicle is being used for the benefit of disabled people.

How to use the disabled person's parking disc

You will need to display a parking disc when you park on yellow lines or in a reserved parking place for badge holders which has a time limit. The disc must be displayed every time you park and be set to show the time of arrival.

Where you can park with a Blue Badge

Badge holders may park free of charge and without any time limit at on-street parking meters and on-street "pay-and-display" parking, unless a local traffic order specifying a time limit for holders of disabled parking Badges, is in force.

Badge holders may be exempt from limits on parking times imposed on other users. Badge holders may usually park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours except where there is a ban on loading or unloading. You cannot park the same vehicle in the same road for least one hour after leaving.

Remember: always check local signs for information on parking.

Parking on private land including council car parks

You are not automatically entitled to park free of charge in privately owned car parks.  Please check the signs in the car park for any restrictions.

Blue Badge holders can park in Bedford Borough Council car parks free of charge and without any time limit.

Places you must not park

The Blue Badge is not a licence to park anywhere. You must not park:

• during the time a ban on loading or unloading is in force (normally indicated by one or two yellow marks on the kerb at the times shown on post mounted plates) .
• where there are double white lines in the centre of the road even if one of the lines is broken
• in a bus or tram lane during its hours of operation
• in a cycle lane
• on any clearway, double or single red lines during their hours of operation
• on Zebra, Pelican or Toucan crossings
• on zig-zag markings before and after Zebra, Pelican or Toucan crossings
• in parking places reserved for specific users eg loading bays, taxis, cycles
• on a residents parking bay, unless there are signs showing that you may do so
• in suspended meter bays or when use of the meter is prohibited
• where temporary restrictions on parking are in force along a length of road eg as indicated by no-waiting cones
• on school "keep clear" markings during the hours shown on a yellow no-stopping plate
• in a way which causes any obstruction

Obstructive parking

If you park where it would cause an obstruction or danger to other road users your vehicle could be removed by the police. You could also be prosecuted and your badge withdrawn.

For example:

• at school entrances, bus stops, on a bend, or near the brow of a hill or hump bridge 
• where it would make it difficult for others to see clearly eg close to a junction
• where it would make the road narrow eg by a traffic island or where roadwork is in progress
• where it would hold up traffic eg in narrow stretches of road or blocking vehicle entrances
• where emergency vehicles stop or go in and out eg hospital entrances
• where the kerb has been lowered or the road raised to form a pedestrian crossing
• on a pavement unless signs permit it

Any vehicle found to be causing an obstruction must be moved if a police officer or a traffic warden in uniform requests it.

Your duties as a badge holder

It is your responsibility to ensure that the badge is used properly. You must not allow other people to use the badge.

If your badge expires or is no longer needed, please return it to us at the following address:

Blue Badges
Borough Hall
Cauldwell Street
Bedford
MK42 9AP

If you are a disabled driver

Remember that if you are a disabled driver and your disability is such that it is likely or may become likely to affect your ability to drive (even if your car is adapted) the law requires you to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).