Blue Badges (Disability Parking Scheme)
Main Details
Sample Blue Badge image
Blue Badges replaced the Orange Badge Scheme. Orange badges will continue to be recognised until they expire.
Blue Badge Holder Parking on our Car Parks
Blue parking badges allow cars carrying people who are registered blind or who have severe walking difficulties to park near shops, stations and other facilities. Blue Badges enable preferential parking but does not guarantee free parking.
If you park in a designated disabled bay you can park free of charge for up to 3 hours. You must clearly display your Blue Badge, serial number and expiry date facing upwards, along with the clock set to the time of arrival.
If these bays are not available and you park anywhere else on the car park then Blue Badge holders are expected to purchase a Pay & Display ticket and clearly display it in their vehicle.
About the scheme
- The concessions provided under the scheme apply to on-street parking only.
- Badge holders may park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours in England and Wales, except where there is a ban on loading or unloading.
- There is no time limit for parking on yellow lines in Scotland.
- Badge holders may park for free and for as long as they need to at on-street parking meters and pay-and-display machines, unless there is a traffic sign specifying a time limit for holders of Blue Badges.
- Where a time limit is in force, you must display both the Blue Badge and the special blue parking disc showing time of arrival.
- While the scheme operates throughout the UK, there are small variations in its application in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Please see the relevant website for further information. The information on this page relates to England unless specified.
A range of people are eligible for Blue Badges including :
- People who are registered blind
- People who receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance
- People who use a motor vehicle supplied for disabled people by a government health department
- People who receive a government grant towards their vehicles
- People who a War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement
- People who have a permanent and substantial disability that makes walking impossible or very difficult
- People who have a severe disability in both upper limbs, regularly drive a motor vehicle but cannot turn the steering wheel of a motor vehicle by hand even if that wheel is fitted with a turning knob
- Parents of disabled children over two years old and under 16 years.
- Blue Badges can also be issued to an organisation which transports disabled people.
People can apply for a Blue Badge by contacting the Lancashire County Council Customer Service Centre on 0845 053 0049, or apply on-line
The card clocks which come with the blue badge must be displayed when using a blue badge for disabled parking. The Social Services in Scotland do not issue these clocks. Before visiting England, or on arrival, customers from Scotland should obtain a clock from either Lancashire Social Services in Lytham or Fylde Direct (Fylde Borough Council One Stop Shop) in St Anne's. Clocks are issued free upon production of proof of disability.
Parking in an allocated disabled space on car parks is for a maximum of 3 hours.
Frequently asked questions are available in the related content section to the right of the page.
