Warning to anyone with Blue Badge over ‘misunderstood rule' that could land you with £1,000 fine or see you lose permit
BLUE Badge holders have been issued a warning over a "misunderstood rule" that could leave drivers with a £1000 fine.
The Blue Badge scheme was set up to help those with mobility issues by allowing them easier access to parking.
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However, there is often confusion over when it can be used, with recent figures from the RAC revealing that theft and misuse of Blue Badges has risen by a over 1000% since 2016.
Where Can Blue Badge Holders Park?
It is often wrongly assumed that having a Blue Badge allows you to park anywhere.
However, this is not the case.
Blue Badge holders are not permitted to park anywhere where their vehicle could endanger others or obstruct access, such as near junctions, bus stops, or the entrance to hospitals.
Where To Display a Blue Badge
Blue Badge holders must always ensure to display their badge clearly on the dashboard, with the relevant details on show.
Some people mistakenly think that its OK to borrow a Blue Badge from someone, or use it whilst the holder is not present, but this is not the case.
People who use someone else's Blue Badge, when the badge holder is not in the car could be subject to a £1000 fine.
Using a badge that has expired and failing to return a badge that is no longer needed can also lead to hefty fines.
How To Get A Blue Badge
In England, Wales and Scotland, you can apply for a Blue Badge on the Gov.UK website.
Some people qualify for the badge automatically, whilst others are assessed on an individual basis.
Local councils are in charge of assessing eligibility for badges, with applications taking up to 12 weeks.
If the council decides you are not eligible for the badge, you can request them to reconsider your application.
Badges in England cost £10, whilst in Scotland, they are priced at £20.
Badges in Wales are free.
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get.
Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data.
You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
Blue Badges in England and Wales typically last for three years, after which holders must reapply.
However, some badges are valid until the end of certain benefits, such as Personal Independence Payments.
Reminders of expiration are not sent out to badge holders, so you have to keep an eye on the date yourself, and apply for renewal 12 weeks in advance.
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