BLUE BADGES: This section also has guidance on the eligibility criteria for the Blue Badge disabled parking scheme in England and Wales.
The main aim of the UK Blue Badge scheme is to help people who have severe mobility problems. It also addresses the difficulties and problems people face when using public transport.
Thus, having Blue Badges means disabled drivers can park closer to the place they want to visit.
The UK Government changed the way it assesses who qualifies for a Blue Badge. They say the modern process for qualification is clearer.
This is a result of bringing the scheme into line with their reform of disability benefits. Even so, having the blue window card means you must follow the Blue Badge rules and regulations.
Blue Badge Rules A to Z
Apply for a Bus Pass
Disabled Persons
Bus passes are part of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme. You can apply for a disabled person’s bus pass if you are ‘eligible disabled’ and living in England.
Elderly Persons
You can apply for an older person’s bus pass when you reach female State Pension age. It applies to all men and women who live in England.
- Free Travel in London: Check if you qualify for free travel with the 60+ London Oyster photocard.
- Bus Pass in Scotland or Northern Ireland: You can get an older person’s bus pass from the age of 60.
- Bus Pass in Wales: If you live in Wales you can get a bus pass from the council when you reach age 60 (or sooner).
Apply for a Dropped Kerb
Having the kerb dropped allows road vehicles to cross over the pavement into a driveway. Contact your local council to apply for a dropped kerb and further information.
Blue Badge Scheme
Apply for a Blue Badge
Check out the process of Blue Badge application and renewal. Follow the steps to get a Blue Badge online or renew an expired parking permit.
Blue Badge Parking Spaces
Check where Blue Badge holders can park their vehicle. The search function also informs you where the local council provides parking spaces.
Changing Your Details
Changing a name or address means you need to replace and change the details on a Blue Badge. You will need the original Blue Badge number, your NI number, and the name of your local council.
Lost or Stolen Blue Badge
You need a crime reference number to replace a lost or stolen Blue Badge at the council. A replacement costs £10 and you can continue to use your old badge until the new one arrives.
The Blue Badge Scheme
Disabled drivers and passengers can park closer to their destination. Use your postcode to get Blue Badge information from the local council in England.
Note: Another section explains who can get a disabled parking badge in England, Scotland, and Wales, and how the process differs in Northern Ireland
Driving and Transport
Driving Rules
Learn the traffic requirements as vehicle drivers, motorcycle riders, and as pedestrians. The driving and transport rules section is for anyone using roads and highways around the UK.
Eyesight Rules
What are the eyesight requirements for driving in the United Kingdom? The guide explains the DVLA legal eyesight standard for driving and for passing the driving test.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions and disabilities can affect your ability to drive ‘safely’. Find out when to inform DVLA of a medical condition or a disability and what happens to your licence.
Report an Unlicensed Taxi
You are within your rights to report unlicensed private hire vehicles or taxis. The report goes to TfL inside the borough and to your local council if you are outside of London.
Invalid Carriages
All mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs must follow the road rules. In the UK, invalid carriages are classified according to their design and capabilities for road use.
Parking Tickets
Appeal a PCN
In some cases, you can make an appeal against a penalty charge notice or a parking ticket. The section explains the ‘charge certificate’ process and ‘order of recovery’ time limit.
Challenge a Parking Fine
Contact the council who issued the PCN to appeal a parking fine. In England and Wales, you have 28 days to challenge a penalty charge notice (14 days for the 50% discount).
Parking Ticket Laws
The parking tickets rules guide explains how to pay PCN and FPN fines. There is extra information on how to challenge a PCN at your local authority or from the police.
Pay a Parking Fine
Go online to pay a parking fine or Penalty Charge Notice issued by a local council. You must live in England or Wales and know your postcode to use the GOV.UK payment tool.
Note: If you have the 16 digit Notice number and Offence code (found on the paperwork) you can also pay a Fixed Penalty online via the Home Office website.
Pay FPN Online
You will need the 16 digit Notice number to pay a Fixed Penalty online. You will also need the Offence code found on the ticket paperwork.
Short Term Driving Licence
There are several ways of renewing a short term medical driving license. You may have one due to a medical condition. It can last for 1, 2, 3 or 5 years before it expires.
Surrendering a Driving Licence
There is no legal age to stop driving, but a medical condition may force you to give up your licence. In this case, you would need to surrender your driver’s licence to the DVLA.
- Car or Motorcycle Licence
Download the document titled ‘Declaration of surrender for medical reasons‘. Return the filled in form to the DVLA with your driving licence. - Bus, Coach, or Lorry licence
Download the form titled ‘Surrender entitlement to drive large vehicles (VCERT)‘. Return it to DVLA address written on the form along with your driving licence.
Toll Concessions for Disabled Drivers
You can get toll concessions at bridges, river crossings, and tunnels if you are a driver with a disability. As a rule, you would need to apply in advance to qualify for the price reductions.
Transport for Disabled Persons
Providing easy access to transport for disabled people gives them an opportunity to use public services. Find out how transportation has become more accessible to people with disabilities.