Using an expired Blue Badge is a criminal offence, and comes with harsh penalties
Millions of Blue Badge holders could ensure their permit remains valid beyond its expiry date and steer clear of a potential £1,000 fine, thanks to a little-known trick.
The UK Government recently confirmed that 90% of all Blue Badge applications are now being submitted through the online service. Those due to renew their badge this year may be unaware of a straightforward method to guarantee a seamless changeover from the old badge to the new one, keeping the permit valid at all times.
Badge holders are advised to begin the renewal process 12 weeks before the expiry date. Failing to renew your Blue Badge prior to its expiry could land you with a £1,000 fine – should you continue to display it once it has lapsed.
This is because displaying an out-of-date Blue Badge is considered ‘misuse’. It is a criminal offence and can result in the badge being confiscated, as well as a financial penalty.
However, it is possible to renew your Blue Badge considerably earlier than required, as the start date will be set to the day after the current one expires. This means that if you forget to renew closer to the deadline, your badge will still remain valid — as reported by the Daily Record.
It is also worth noting that once you have completed the renewal process online — which requires you to provide details of your existing Blue Badge, personal information and eligibility criteria — you will receive an email confirming whether or not your application has been successful. Should your application prove successful, the email will also contain instructions on how to make the Blue Badge payment to your local council.
This is £10 in England, £20 in Scotland, and free in Wales.
Once payment has been completed, you will receive a follow-up email from the Department for Work and Transport confirming that your Blue Badge has been ordered and will arrive within 10 working days.
The email will also include the name of your local authority issuing the Badge, Badge start and expiry dates, and your Badge number. If your Blue Badge is due to expire before the end of this year, you can renew it now and have the peace of mind that you won’t forget (or risk facing a fine).
Eligibility for a Blue Badge is also reassessed each time a renewal application is submitted. The eligibility criteria was broadened in 2019 to include individuals living with non-visible disabilities such as Parkinson’s, dementia and epilepsy, helping more people to park closer to their intended destinations when travelling as either a driver or a passenger.
