Blue Badge Car Park Charging Policy revised 2024

The purpose of this policy is to align the offer that Dorset Council gives to Blue Badge holders within Dorset Council car parks.

The policy should be is easy to understand and consistent across Dorset Council.

The objectives are to:

• have one pan-Dorset Council scheme for Blue Badge holders
• have a policy that meets the needs of Blue Badge holders

The policy does not include applying for a Blue Badge and on-street parking restrictions as these are national arrangements, thus do not fall under the remit of local authorities.

2.1 Scheme for Dorset Council car parks

Dorset Council will offer two concessions:

• provide 3-hours free parking for Blue Badge holders who receive certain allowances, through the purchase of a Restricted Mobility Parking Permit
• provide an additional 1-hour parking to all Blue Badge holders when a valid pay & display ticket is purchased.

The proposed scheme fulfils the needs of Blue Badge holders, by giving free parking to those who receive certain allowances due to having higher mobility needs.

Besides this, it acknowledges the extra time that it may take Blue Badge holders to transition to and from their vehicle and destination, and that they made need more time at their destination.

2.2 Criteria for Restricted Mobility Parking Permit

Blue Badge holders who receive specified allowances will be entitled to apply for a Restricted Mobility Parking Permit (RMP). Applicants must have a Blue Badge and be in receipt of one of the following:

• higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• 10 points or more on the 'Moving around' section of the 'Mobility component' of Personal Independence payment (PIP)
• higher rate mobility component of Child Disability Payment
• War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• Attendance Allowance

Or evidence that the vehicle registered in the disabled person’s name is disabled tax exempt. It must only be used when the disabled person is present in the vehicle at some point during the trip. It cannot be used by a driver of a Blue Badge holder for their own personal use.

The permit holder can only have one RMP at any one time, and it cannot be used with the Dorset Council Short Stay Permit.

The permit has an administration cost and will expire when the holder’s Blue Badge expires. The RMP cannot be transferred to other Blue Badge holders.

The Blue Badge must be displayed with the RMP to receive 3-hours free parking. The Blue Badge parking clock must be set at time of arrival.

The RMP is valid for use by Blue Badge holders in any parking bay including disabled bays (except those as stated in Section 2.4).

2.3 Criteria for 1-hour free parking

Blue Badge holders will qualify for 1-hour additional parking when a valid minimum tariff pay & display ticket has been purchased. The Blue Badge parking clock must be set at time of arrival.

The 1-hour additional parking is valid for use by Blue Badge holders in any parking bay including disabled bays (except those as stated below).

2.4 Car park restrictions

• vehicles must be parked within the bay markings. The pay and display charges apply to all bays, including ‘disabled’ bays
• some of our car parks have extra-wide designated ‘disabled’ parking spaces. Vehicles parked in ‘disabled’ spaces must have a valid blue badge clearly displayed, as well as a valid pay and display ticket/RMP
• parking is not permitted on double yellow lines or on yellow hatched areas within car parks
• parking is not permitted in spaces designated for use by other users (such as permit holders) unless the Blue Badge holder also has the relevant permit
• parking is not permitted in spaces designated for use by specific types of vehicle (such as solo motorcycles) unless the Blue Badge holder’s vehicle is of the type for which that space has been reserved
• the maximum stay in car parks must be adhered to

2.5 Enforcement

As well as standard enforcement, Blue Badge holders may have their badge withdrawn/receive a Penalty Charge Notice for:

• not displaying the badge clearly
• not displaying the time clock set at time of arrival
• use of a badge that is no longer valid
• use of a badge that has been reported as lost or stolen
• letting a friend or relative use the badge
• use of a copied badge
• altering the details on the badge, for example, the expiry date
• making a fraudulent application (for example, providing false information on the application form) or using a badge obtained fraudulently

Misuse by a third party:

• using someone else's badge (with or without the badge holder's knowledge) without the badge holder being present in the vehicle at some point during the trip
• using a badge belonging to someone who has died
• copying, altering or faking badges
• using a stolen badge
• using a fake badge

The Blue Badge Policy will be reviewed annually.

When reviewing parking charges Dorset Council will consider:

• national changes to the Blue Badge scheme
• the effectiveness of the policy for Blue Badge holders
• the effectiveness of the policy for keeping highways clear
• the policy of neighbouring authorities and by private sector car parks within the local area, as well as comparing it with Dorset’s Town Councils

Any significant change in policy will be subject to the usual legal procedure for consultation and advertisement, as well as an updated equality impact assessment (EQIA)

This policy was last reviewed in 2024. 

The next expected review date is 2025.