A Blue Badge can only be used in a vehicle when it is used to transport the badge holder.
A Blue Badge can be used if:
- The badge holder is travelling in the vehicle as a driver or passenger;
- and is personally making use of a parking concession.
Under no circumstances should someone other than the badge holder be claiming the Blue Badge concessions. The badge must never be given to anyone to use, if the badge holder is not travelling with them. Important note: This includes friends and family members.
Please note: you cannot benefit from the parking concessions until the badge is received.
Misuse of the badge by someone who is not disabled is an offence under Section 117 of the Road Traffic Act. The maximum fine on conviction is £1,000. This applies in addition to whatever penalty may be imposed for any parking offence.
For more on this policy, please read:
Blue Badge fraud is on the increase and undermines the integrity of the scheme. In 2016, this Council approved a policy that details how we will deal with Fraud and Misuse. Since its introduction, we have successfully prosecuted 12 people for Blue Badge misuse. A further 11 have accepted an official caution (figures up to 31st March 2021).
If you suspect a Blue Badge is being used illegally, we encourage you to report it. Please use this form:
All personal information will be dealt with in strictest confidence.
Examples of successful prosecutions for misusing a Blue Badge
Below are details of some of the cases that have been successfully prosecuted for misusing a Blue Badge:
- A Bradford man was prosecuted for displaying the Blue Badge of a relative who had died. This was while he parked on Trinity Road in Halifax. A Penalty Charge notice was issued for the parking offence. The case was also referred to Court for the offence of misusing the Blue Badge. The man pleaded guilty to the offence which was contrary to Section 117 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. He was fined £485 and ordered to pay £450 costs.
- A Halifax man who parked in a designated disabled parking bay on Thomas Street, Halifax. He used his wife's Blue Badge Permit, even though she was not with him. He pleaded guilty at Bradford Magistrates Court to the offence under Section 117 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. He was fined £80 with £150 costs.
- A woman parked in Halifax Town centre and displayed her mothers Blue Badge. She pleaded guilty at Bradford Magistrates Court to misusing the badge. She was fined £440 and ordered to pay £400 costs. The woman had dropped her mum off at a different location before parking near her place of work. When interviewed, the woman admitted the main reason for parking and displaying the badge was to go to work.
- In a similar case, a Halifax man who failed to attend Court was found guilty of misusing a Blue Badge. He was fined £440 and ordered to pay a further £400 in costs. The offence took place when he displayed his wife's Blue Badge when parked on Goal Lane (Halifax). In an interview, he admitted that his wife the had not been with him when he parked. Also, that he had displayed the badge while he went shopping.