The Department for Transport has issued the update for drivers travelling to France and Spain
Rules for Blue Badge holders were changed because of Brexit(Image: Universal Images Group via Getty)
The Government has issued an update on Blue Badge rules for drivers travelling to France and Spain in a breakthrough in parking rules for disabled drivers. The Department for Transport has confirmed that mutual recognition deals are being finalised for disabled drivers.
Transport Minister Simon Lightwood has clarified the status of the UK Blue Badge abroad, announcing that formal recognition has been secured with France, while a final deal with Spain is now on the horizon. It comes after UK travellers have faced uncertainty regarding whether their disabled parking permits would be accepted in European holiday hotspots following Brexit.
However, the Government has now confirmed that through “close working and partnership,” mutual recognition has been officially secured with French authorities. This means UK Blue Badge holders can now use their permits in France just as they did previously, ending the risk of fines or confusion at the roadside.
While the deal with France is finalised, drivers heading to Spain will have to wait a little longer as the DfT has confirmed it is currently “working on the final agreement” with Spanish officials to ensure the same level of reciprocity. The government expects this to be settled shortly, allowing badge holders to “travel with confidence” to both of the UK’s most popular Mediterranean destinations.
When questioned about the scheme, Simon Lightwood said: “The Blue Badge scheme in the UK is administered and enforced by local authorities and applies to on-street parking locations only. While the UK has informal reciprocal arrangements with EU Member States, acceptance of any non-UK badge is ultimately a matter for local authority discretion.
“The UK is a member of the European Conference of Ministers of Transport Resolution ECMT Resolution 97/4 and has accepted Resolution 97/4, but this is not mandatory, nor is it reflected in UK domestic legislation. The UK continues to recognise disabled parking cards issued in individual EU/EEA Nations for people visiting and travelling in the UK.
“Any confirmation of reciprocity of this goodwill gesture is not legally binding. It is for individual EU Member States to decide if they will recognise a Disabled Parking Card issued in another country. Using a Blue Badge in Europe – GOV.UK
“The Department for Transport has ongoing discussions with individual countries regarding continued recognition of the UK Blue Badge across the European Union (EU).Through close working and partnership with our French and Spanish friends and allies, this Government has now secured the mutual recognition with France regarding each other’s disabled parking permits and are now currently working on the final agreement with Spain.
“This means that UK Blue Badge holders can now travel with confidence when heading to France for their holidays or travel and this will also apply to Spain in due course.”
The DfT is still advising for Blue Badge holders to check the specific rules of their destination before setting off. The scheme is often “not reflected in domestic legislation” of the host country, so local enforcement can vary.