Blue Badge misuse and enforcement
A Blue Badge is for the use and benefit only of the person to whom the badge has been issued.
Blue Badge misuse is a criminal offence that could lead to a £1,000 fine and confiscation of the badge. A court prosecution can affect employment, job prospects, travel visa applications, insurance, etc. Legal action may also be taken in circumstances where false information has been provided to acquire a Blue Badge.
Blue Badge holders and anyone driving on their behalf should be fully aware of the following four key rules:
- Blue Badge holders must never allow friends or relatives to use the badge to run an errand on their behalf
- A Blue Badge should only be displayed if the badge holder is travelling in the vehicle as a driver or passenger, or for the badge holder to be picked up or dropped off
- A Blue Badge should not be used by a visitor unless they have parked to pick up the badge holder
- The badge holder should not wait in the car while a friend or relative goes shopping. This could prevent another badge holder from parking within a manageable distance of their destination
In Bexley, Blue Badge holders are permitted to park in residents’ bays, but they are not permitted to park where there are restrictions on loading or unloading indicated by yellow kerb dashes and/or signs on plates. GOV.UK - The Blue Badge scheme: rights and responsibilities in England.
Blue badge checks
As a badge holder, you may have noticed that our officers are regularly checking Blue Badges, or you may have been asked to hand over your own Blue Badge for inspection. If you are not around when an inspection takes place, a Civil Enforcement Officer has the right to ask the driver to hand over your badge for inspection and will need to establish that it is being used in accordance with the rules. We appreciate your co-operation and value your continued support.
Police officers, council officers and civil enforcement officers have the power to inspect a Blue Badge and confiscate it if they believe it is being misused. Officers may operate in plain clothes but will be able to produce identification to prove who they are. A Blue Badge must be shown to the officer when such a request is made.
Please also remember
You should return expired or cancelled badges or those that are no longer needed to the issuing authority shown on the badge immediately.
Report suspected misuse
You can report Blue Badge misuse if you have any information or concerns about this. The council will seek to prosecute all cases of misuse.