General guidelines
You must display your blue badge on top of the dashboard or fascia panel of the parked vehicle with the front of the badge (the side showing the wheelchair user symbol) facing forward so that the badge can be read outside the vehicle.
Only one blue badge is issued per person. If you travel in more than one vehicle, you must move the badge from vehicle to vehicle.
If you don’t have your own blue badge, you shouldn’t park in a disabled space or use someone else’s badge even if you are running an errand for them.
Parking
A blue badge isn’t a licence to park anywhere. The Blue Badge scheme: rights and responsibilities in England guide on the GOV.UK website explains where you can and can’t park with a blue badge.
Blue badge holders may usually park on single or double yellow lines on-street for up to three hours except where there is a ban on loading and unloading. The blue badge must be displayed, together with the blue parking disc showing the time of arrival. You must not park where it would be obstructive or cause a danger to others.
Blue badge holders can use any disabled parking bay. Even if a disabled parking bay appears to have been created and provided for a specific person, other blue badge holders can use the space if it’s empty.
Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry
If you’re a blue badge holder and regularly use the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry, you may be entitled to a Mobility Concession Smartcard.
Using your blue badge abroad
Blue badges are recognised throughout the European Union. Concessions vary from region to region and may change over time, so you should check what concessions are available before you travel.
Vehicle tax
You may not have to pay vehicle tax if you’re disabled. You can find out about vehicle tax exemption on the GOV.UK website.
What happens if my blue badge is lost, stolen or destroyed?
We can issue a replacement badge if yours is lost, stolen, destroyed or so damaged or faded that it can’t be read.
If your old badge has less than three months until it expires, you must complete a new application form. You will need to provide a new photo and pay a £10.00 fee.
If your old badge has more than three months until it expires you will need to request a replacement badge. We will ask you to pay a £10 for your replacement badge.
If your badge is stolen, you need to file a report with the police to say that your badge has been stolen and then provide us with the police crime report number.
If your badge is faded or damaged, you must return it to us after you receive your replacement badge.
If you report a badge as lost we will cancel the old badge and you must not use it if the badge is later found. If this happens return it by post to Blue Badge Assessments, PO BOX 676, Truro, TR1 9EQ.
What to do if a blue badge holder has died?
You should return the blue badge to Cornwall council by posting it to Blue Badge Assessments, PO BOX 676, Truro, TR1 9EQ.
Misuse of a blue badge
Misuse of a blue badge is a serious offence:
- A badge can be withdrawn if it is misused or allowed to be misused by others.
- It is a criminal offence for people who are not disabled to use a blue badge. They could be fined up to £1,000.
- It is a criminal offence to drive a vehicle displaying a blue badge unless the badge holder is in the vehicle, or unless the vehicle is being driven by someone other than the badge holder to pick up or drop off the holder from an area accessible only to vehicles displaying a blue badge.
You can report misuse of a blue badge by ringing us on 0300 1234 121 or by contacting us online. Please give us as much detail as possible.
