Blue Badge scheme and parking

A Blue Badge will help you to park closer to your destination, either as the driver or passenger if you're disabled with a severe mobility problem, or non-visible (hidden) condition or disability causing you to severely struggle with journeys. .

You are automatically eligible if you:

receive the Higher Rate of the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (HRMCDLA)
are registered as severely sight-impaired (blind)
receive 8 points or more under the ‘Moving Around’ section within the Personal Independence Payment (PIP
receive 10 points exactly under the Planning & following a journey activity for descriptor E, cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress
receive a War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement;
a benefit under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)
or are certified as having a permanent and substantial disability by the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA)

You may also be eligible if you:

are unable to walk or can only walk with severe difficulty
have a severe disability in both arms, drive an adapted car and are unable to operate, or have considerable difficulty operating, a parking meter
have a child (under 3 years of age) who must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment
have a child (under 3 years of age) who must always be kept near a motor vehicle for treatment or transport
have a non-visible (hidden) condition or disability causing you to severely struggle with journeys between a vehicle and a destination

Blue Badges are only issued for enduring conditions, not expected to improve within the next 3 years.

You can apply for a Blue Badge by visiting the gov.uk website. Should you be entitled to a blue badge, there is a £10 fee for all new or renewed badges issued by the Department for Transport (Dft) on behalf of Lincolnshire County Council.

For more information about eligibility and how to apply for a Blue Badge, please visit the Lincolnshire County Council Blue Badge website.

As a Blue Badge holder you may be exempt from paying for parking, but you should always check and not assume it is free. There are places you must not park and you must obey the rules of the Highway Code. More information about your rights and responsibilities when using a Blue Badge are available on the gov.uk website.

A booklet is sent with a badge when it is issued which details the responsibilities of the badge holder and the provisions of the badge.

As a Blue Badge holder there are several places you can park for free while displaying your badge (where there are no restrictions in place):

yellow or double yellow lines (for up to 3 hours)
on-street parking meters and pay-and-display machines
on-street disabled parking bays (you may park for free unless signs say otherwise you may park without time limit)

You must display your blue badge parking clock alongside your blue badge in your vehicle when you are in time limited areas or parked on yellow lines.

Some roads and car parks have additional restrictions and/or charges, you should check with operators, owners, or signage when parking:

in an off-street car park (such as supermarket, hospital, or local authority car park)
in locations outside of Lincolnshire (specifically areas of London)
in town centres where local schemes are in operation
in an on-street parking where all motorists park for free but only for a limited time
on road systems at airports
on private roads
on Red Routes or roads with single or double red lines

There are places you must not park and you must obey the rules of the Highway Code. More information about your rights and responsibilities when using a Blue Badge are available on the gov.uk website The Blue Badge scheme: rights and responsibilities in England - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Parking Permits

Parking permits for car parks are administered by District Councils and can reduce the cost of parking. You should ensure you have the correct permit for the car park you are using.

Residential permits are available from some district councils. There are reduced rates for Blue badge holders in some cases. Visit your District Council website for details.

In the UK

Other local authority areas, specifically London boroughs, and those outside of England have different rules for Blue Badge parking.

For more information about disabled parking in London you can visit the Transport for London website.

When travelling outside England, but within the UK, the concessions may not always be the same. You should check with the relevant local authority in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.

More information on where you can park with a Blue Badge in the UK, and who is the responsible authority, visit the gov.uk website.

Europe and Worldwide

You must check before visiting a country outside of the UK as to whether your Blue Badge is recognised.

To find out more please visit Using a Blue Badge in the European Union and European Economic Area - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Vehicle tax exemption and reduction

If you are a blue badge holder you may be eligible for exemption from vehicle tax (sometimes referred to as 'road tax'). People who do not hold a blue badge may also qualify for vehicle tax exemption. To qualify you must be in receipt of one of the following benefits:

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
War Pensioners Mobility Supplement (WPMS)

You can only be exempt from vehicle tax for one vehicle at any one time. The vehicle must be registered in your name or someone authorised to act on your behalf.

For more information about vehicle tax if you have a disability, visit the gov.uk website.

Vehicle tax reduction

You can get a 50% reduction in vehicle tax if you get the PIP standard rate mobility component.

More information about how to make a claim for vehicle tax reduction is on the gov.uk website.

Toll Concessions

You may not have to pay the full fare at some bridges, tunnels, and river crossings if you hold a blue badge. In most cases, you have to apply in advance to get a concession.

More information about which tolls you may be exempt from are on the gov.uk website.

Getting a disabled residential parking space or parking permit

Not all district councils operate residential permits. There are reduced rates for Blue badge holders in some cases. For further information visit your District Council website.

Car parks are available across Lincolnshire including council owned car parks and private car parks. Please ensure you check the signs in the car park as to regards to charges and time limits before leaving you parked vehicle.

Information on council owned car parks are available on each local authority website:

Find parking, Car Parks, Street Parking, Private Garages and more. Parkopedia allows users to book a car space, find parking charges and opening hours on a map across the UK.

Park & Ride

For information on Lincoln Park & Ride see the public and community transport page.

A current badge holder will receive a notification by e-mail or post 12 weeks before their existing badge is due to expire. This ensures that enough time is given to process a new application and allow time, should the applicant be successful for them to receive their new badge before the existing badge expires.

Should you wish to contact the Blue Badge team for any support, advice or update on a current application, they can be contacted via e-mail at disabledcarparking@lincolnshire.gov.uk