Where you can park with your Blue Badge

ind out where you can and cannot park asa Blue Badge holder. You must always check signs to see what the rules are in place.

If you do not drive yourself, it is important to share this information with anyone who will be carrying you as a passenger. 

Yellow lines 

Badge holders may park on single or double yellow lines, for up to 3 hours, where no loading restrictions are in place.  Loading or unloading restrictions are indicated by yellow kerb dashes  or signs on plates. 

Some councils have chosen to exempt Blue Badge holders from this loading and unloading restriction. You should always check the rules for the area where you are parking.

You cannot park on yellow lines in off-street car parks. 

When parking on yellow lines, you must:

  • display the Blue Badge and the blue parking clock showing the quarter hour period during when you arrived
  • wait for at least 1 hour after a previous period of parking before you can park the same vehicle in the same road on the same day.

On-street parking meters and pay-and-display machines 

Blue Badge holders may park for free with no time restrictions. The Blue Badge must be displayed clearly.

On-street disabled parking bays 

Always try to use disabled parking bays instead of parking on yellow lines. these can be identified by the signs which show a blue wheelchair symbol.

When using a disabled parking bay:

  • you can park for free
  • you must display the Blue Badge
  • there are usually no time limits, unless there are signs stating time restrictions
  • if it is time-limited, you must display the blue parking clock
     

Places you need to check before parking 

There are a number of restrictions and local parking schemes that you need to be aware of. If in doubt, ask the relevant council before you travel.

Off-street car parks

For example  supermarket, hospital or local council car parks.

Off-street car park operators should provide parking spaces for disabled people. However, it is up to the car park owner to decide whether badge holders can park free of charge. 

Do not assume you can always park for free. Always check the local signs for information.

Town centres where local schemes are in operation 

Check the local signs for information.

Free on-street parking areas for all motorists with a time limit

Blue Badge holders can usually park for free  without time limit. However, if signs show that there is also a time limit for badge holders, you must comply with the time limit shown and display your parking clock showing the quarter hour period when you arrived.

Road systems at airports 

Contact the airport in advance to check the parking arrangements.

Private roads 

Do not park unless you have permission from the owner.

Places reserved for specific users 

You should check whether a particular council has chosen to allow Blue Badge holders to park in places reserved for specific users, such as residents’ bays or loading bays.
 

Red routes

Red routes are major roads in Greater London which are marked with a single or double red line.

Transport for London has general information on concessions for Blue Badge holders on roads that have priority red route controls. You can obtain this information by ringing them on 0845 305 1234 or by visiting the Transport for London website. 

There are a small number of red routes outside of London. Contact the relevant local council for advice on parking restrictions on these routes.

Where you cannot park

The Blue Badge is not a licence to park anywhere. Like other road users, you must obey the rules of the road, as laid out in the Highway Code. 

You cannot park in:

  • places where a ban on loading or unloading is in force this will be indicated by kerb markings or signs. 
  • parking places reserved for specific users such as resident’s bays or loading bays. 
  • pedestrian crossings, for example, zebra, pelican, toucan and puffin crossings.
  • any areas marked by zig-zag lines
  • clearways, no stopping is allowed, always check for local signs
  • bus stop clearways during its hours of operation
  • an urban clearway within its hours of operation, you may pick up or drop off passengers, but all parking is forbidden
  • school ‘keep clear’ markings during the hours shown on a yellow no-stopping plate
  • bus, tram or cycle lanes or cycle tracks. 
  • places where there are double white lines in the centre of the road, even if one of the lines is broken
  • suspended meter bays or when use of the meter is not allowed
  • areas where temporary parking restrictions are in force, as shown for example by no-waiting cones.

Some councils have chosen to exempt Blue Badge holders from certain loading and unloading restrictions, and places reserved for specific users. But you should always check the rules for the area where you are parking.

Consequences of not parking legally

Parking in forbidden areas where it would endanger or obstruct other road users is an offence, that could result in you receiving a parking fine. You could also be prosecuted, have your car towed away, and the Blue Badge withdrawn. 

You cannot legally be wheel clamped on the public highway (‘on-street’) for parking offences, provided you correctly display a valid Blue Badge according to the rules of the scheme.