Blue Badge windscreen mistake that could result in parking ticket

Blue Badge holders could face a parking fine even if they're entitled to park in a disabled space. The Blue Badge scheme is designed to assist those with disabilities or health conditions, allowing them to park closer to their destination.

It permits the holder, or anyone travelling with them in the same vehicle, to use a disabled parking bay or even park on double yellow lines.

The scheme also offers financial benefits as badge holders often enjoy free parking in disabled bays and certain car parks. Moreover, the badge isn't tied to a specific vehicle and can be used in any car as long as the holder is present, including taxis.

However, there are responsibilities that come with possessing a Blue Badge. For instance, it's a criminal offence for the holder or anyone else to misuse the badge.

If found guilty of misusing the badge, the holder could face a £1,000 fine and have the badge confiscated. Additionally, Blue Badge holders who are passengers in a vehicle must ensure that the driver is fully aware of all the rules regarding its use.

Failure to adhere to these rules could result in further fines and parking tickets being issued by local authorities. Official guidelines state that the Blue Badge must always be clearly displayed on the dashboard or facia panel where it can be seen through the front windscreen.

Otherwise, the badge must be displayed in a manner that allows it to be clearly read from outside the vehicle. Failure to do so could lead local authorities to suspect the parking space is being misused, which can result in a fine.

According to official guidelines, when displaying a Blue Badge, holders should ensure it meets the following criteria:

• Someone on the outside can clearly read the badge
• The front of the badge should face upwards, showing the hologram
• The side showing the photograph should NOT be visible through the windscreen
• Details on the front of the badge are legible

If the vehicle is parked on yellow lines or another location with a time limit, the holder should display a blue parking clock indicating their arrival time. Like the badge, the clock must be displayed on the vehicle's dashboard where it can be clearly seen through the front windscreen.

If the Blue Badge holder is blind, they should ensure that whoever is displaying the badge for them knows how to do so correctly to avoid receiving a parking ticket.

Full details on the rules surrounding Blue Badges can be found here.