Last updated: 23 January 2025
Next review: 23 January 2026
Visit GOV.UK to see your rights and responsibilities as a Blue Badge holder.
This includes:
- where you can and can't park
- using your badge abroad
Important things to remember:
- Please note that disabled permit bays on Housing Estate Land are only for permit holders - Blue Badges are not valid in these type of bays.
- You must be a passenger or driver of the vehicle at all times when a Blue Badge is displayed
- You can’t use your badge if you remain in the vehicle while an able bodied passenger leaves the vehicle
- You mustn’t let anyone else use your badge including carers carrying out business on your behalf
- You cannot use your badge if its out of date, or when the information on it is wrong or faded
- You can’t allow anyone else to reproduce your badge
Displaying your badge
Your Blue Badge must be displayed on top of the dashboard of the vehicle.
The side showing the wheelchair symbol must face forward so the expiry date can be seen from outside the vehicle.
Parking clocks
A parking clock if needed, must be displayed so it can be read clearly through the front windscreen.
It must be:
- on the dashboard or fascia panel
- set to show the quarter hour period during which you arrived
It must not be:
- used instead of, or without, the Blue Badge
When to use parking clocks
| Type of parking bay | What to display |
|---|---|
| Waiting restrictions for three hours | Badge and clock displayed to arrival time |
| PaybyPhone bays | Badge displayed |
| Shared use bays | Badge displayed |
| Market trader bays for three hours | Badge and clock displayed to arrival time |
| Short stay parking bays without time restrictions | Badge displayed |
| On street disabled bays max stay three hours, no return same day | Badge and clock displayed to arrival time |
| Car park disabled bays max stay three hours, no return same day | Badge and clock displayed to arrival time |
| Car parks, other bays without restrictions | Badge displayed |
Where can I park?
The rules on where Blue Badge holders can park vary depending on which Local Authority you park in.
For Waltham Forest, please download our Blue Badges parking guide (PDF)
Resident within a controlled parking zone (CPZ) who hold a Blue Badge, you can apply for a free annual resident parking permit.
Using your Blue Badge in Europe
You can check which European countries recognise your UK Blue Badge on GOV.UK.
Using a European Blue Badge in the UK
The UK recognises badges issued by EU and EEA countries used by visitors to the UK. If you are a UK resident, you should apply for a Blue Badge from your local authority.
Return a badge
Your Blue Badge is the property of Waltham Forest Council.
Badges should be returned to us if:
- they are found
- they have expired
- they are no longer needed due to the owner being deceased
- your mobility improves
- your automatic entitlement ceases
You must send the badge with a note explaining why it is being returned to the Mobility team.
Report misuse
Misuse of a Blue Badge is a criminal offence, which can carry a fine of up to £1,000. If you think a Blue Badge is being misused please contact Parking Enforcement.