FAQ

|Why do the national Blue Badge parking concessions not apply in central London?
Where do the central London concessions operate?
Where can I park in central London with my Blue Badge?
Where can't I park in central London with my Blue Badge?
Why can’t I park on yellow lines in the central London area?
Can I rely on using my Blue Badge if I need to visit central London regularly?
Can I park in a suspended bay?
What should I do if I get a parking ticket (PCN)?
Can a vehicle displaying a Blue Badge be clamped or removed?
Are there any off-street disabled parking facilities in central London?
Do I have to pay the congestion charge if I use my Blue Badge?
Can I use my disabled badge from another country?
Can I refuse to let an enforcement officer see my badge?
Can a traffic warden ask to see my badge?
Can an enforcement officer take away my badge?
How do I get a Blue Badge?

Why do the national Blue Badge parking concessions not apply in central London?

Central London has been exempted from the national Blue Badge regulations because of the unique parking problems and traffic congestion in this area.

Where do the central London concessions operate?

The City of London, the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, the City of Westminster, and part of the London Borough of Camden, south of Euston Road.

Where can I park in central London with my Blue Badge?

Special Blue Badge Parking Bays
There are special Blue Badge parking bays in popular locations throughout the central area. You can park for free in these bays. Some Blue Badge bays are limited to a four hour maximum stay from Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 6:30pm; other bays do not have a maximum stay limit. During limited hours, you must display your clock as well as your Blue Badge.
Meter, Pay and Display and Pay by Phone Bays
As long as you have made a payment (from the minimum up to the maximum time allowed) at a pay and display machine, you can have one hour of free parking after the time you have paid for has run out. You must display your Blue Badge and clock showing time of arrival.

Where can't I park in central London with my Blue Badge?

Resident parking bays during controlled hours
Double yellow lines at any time
Single yellow lines during controlled hours
Suspended parking bays
Diplomatic bays
Doctor's bays
Out of order meter or pay and display bays
Personalised numbered disabled bays
Loading bays
Solo motorcycle parking bays
Taxi ranks

Why can’t I park on yellow lines in the central London area?

There is such a demand for parking space in the central area that the boroughs concerned continually review their yellow line restrictions and minimise them to locations where parking would compromise safety or traffic flow or impede servicing. If it was safe to park on these yellow lines, the Councils would have converted them to parking bays years ago.

Can I rely on using my Blue Badge if I need to visit central London regularly?

Yes, but if you work or study in the central London area you may be entitled to a local disabled badge operated by the boroughs. There are also special arrangements for patients receiving regular treatment at hospitals in central London. For more details visit the website of the authority in question:

City of London - www.cityoflondon.gov.uk
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea - www.rbkc.gov.uk
Camden Council - www.camden.gov.uk
City of Westminster - www.westminster.gov.uk

Can I park in a suspended bay?

No. Suspended bays are reserved for special services or works. No one else is allowed to park on them.

What should I do if I get a parking ticket (PCN)?

If you believe that the ticket (penalty charge notice or PCN) has been issued incorrectly then you should challenge in the usual way as detailed on the ticket; otherwise it must be paid. Appeals against PCNs from Blue Badge holders who have misunderstood the regulations are treated sympathetically.

Can a vehicle displaying a Blue Badge be clamped or removed?

No, a vehicle displaying a valid Blue Badge permit will not be clamped or removed to a car pound. However, if the vehicle is causing an obstruction or a hazard, or at the request of the Police, it will be relocated to the closest appropriate parking space.

Are there any off-street disabled parking facilities in central London?

Yes there are, but Blue Badge holders are not automatically exempt from charges in car parks. The parking concessions provided under the Blue Badge Scheme only apply to on-street parking, they do not apply in off-street car parks or on the road systems at some airports. The conditions of use of off-street facilities are entirely down to the individual car park owner or operator to determine and these should be clearly displayed at the entrance. See our list of car parks.

Do I have to pay the congestion charge if I use my Blue Badge?

Blue Badge holders can apply for an exemption, for more details visit the Transport for London website

Can I use my disabled badge from another country?

The United Kingdom recognizes disabled parking badges that are issued by countries that are part of the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) and all ECMT associated countries. (This includes all European Union member states.)

These ECMT countries and ECMT associated countries are:

Australia
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Canada
Cyprus
the Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
the Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
the United Kingdom
the United States

Can a traffic warden ask to see my badge?

Yes. New powers have been granted to enforcement officers to inspect Blue Badges. The enforcement officers who have been given this new power are police officers, traffic wardens, local authority parking attendants and civil enforcement officers. These people should produce an identity card with their photograph on it to prove they are who they say they are.

Can I refuse to let an enforcement officer see my badge?

No. If an enforcement officer asks to see your badge, you must show it to them. If you do not, you will be breaking the law and could be fined up to £1,000.

Can an enforcement officer take away my badge?

No. Only the Police can seize Blue Badges.

How do I get a Blue Badge?

Blue Badges are issued by local authorities. Click here to find your local authority.

FAQ