Blue Badge Misuse
Blue Badge Misuse and Enforcement
The Blue Badge Scheme is an asset to millions, but it must be used correctly, and it is a criminal offence under the Road Traffic Act to misuse a blue badge. An enforcement mechanism was brought into place in 1984 however no funding was made available to enforce the scheme and it is estimated that 1 in 5 badges are being used by someone other than the badge holder.
BBFI have the experience and skills to pull the various stakeholders together and effectively manage the scheme, investigating fraud and misuse to improve compliance, protect parking revenue, and help local authorities meet their statutory requirements.
How We Can Help
We strongly believe that working with local authorities and enforcing the scheme is essential and want to ensure that the disabled community can park in their local town when they need to.
Working with each local authority and building long standing relationships, the BBFI team investigate those suspected of misuse, prepare cases for court/prosecution, and provide each council with continued support and guidance.
BBFI have helped over 20 local authorities and investigate almost 2,000 cases a year.
What Counts as Blue Badge Misuse?
Misuse is the use of the badge by a person other than its registered holder, for any purpose other than to pick up or drop off the badge holder from the place where the vehicle is parked.
If you are offered a stolen/found badge or a fake badge call BBFI on 0207 370 0027
What is the Penalty for Blue Badge Misuse?
The penalty for misuse, on conviction in a magistrates’ court, is between £100 and £1000. In most cases the prosecuting council is also awarded costs.
The badge remains the property of the issuing authority and may be permanently retained under the Disabled Persons Parking Badges Act following a conviction for misuse.
The rear of the badge contains the following warning in red:
“This badge can only be used by the named badge holder, or by a person who has dropped or is collecting the Badge holder from the place where the vehicle is parked. It is a criminal offence for anyone else to use this Badge in any other circumstances.”
Stamp Out Blue Badge Misuse
As stated by the Government – ‘The Blue Badge scheme helps those with severe mobility problems who have difficulty using public transport to park close to where they need to go’.
In 2020 Department for Transport (DfT) figures showed that 32 out of 175 local authorities in England prosecuted 10 more people. Forty-six authorities neither have a blue badge misuse enforcement policy or prosecuted anyone. One in 412 blue badge abuses is currently prosecuted. Blue Badge scheme statistics: 2020 – gov.uk
This means that the disabled community, with a legitimate Blue Badge, are at times unable to park near where they need to, which can lead to isolation and frustration of not being able to do a simple task like doing your shopping or meeting friends and family in their local town.
Working to Enforce the Blue Badge Scheme
BBFI want to work with Local Authorities to stamp out misuse, protect the rights of the disabled and enforce the Blue Badge scheme across the UK.