Blue Badge misuse

New legislation was introduced in March 2015 to protect Blue Badge users across Scotland.

Blue Badge parking spaces and the Blue Badge scheme provide an essential service for disabled people allowing access to parking bays which are normally closer to work, shops and other community services. This parking access often makes the difference as to whether people with mobility problems live their lives as fully as they can.

Parking in a designated disabled space illegally, even for a few minutes, has a significant knock-on effect for the legitimate Blue Badge holders who are unable to find a suitable parking space. Normal everyday tasks such as going to the shops, attending a doctor’s appointment or even going to work, things that most of us take for granted can become impossible due to lack of access.

The legislation in the Disabled Persons’ Parking Badges (Scotland) Act 2014 gives local authorities the power to cancel badges which have been reported lost or stolen and confiscate badges that are being misused.

The extra powers for local authorities to tackle Blue Badge misuse and confiscate badges that are not valid or are being used illegally by a third party for their own benefit, allows disabled badge holders access to services in the community and help them lead independent lives.