Where can I park with a Blue Badge?
Vehicles displaying a valid Blue Badge can park in:
- Resident Permit Holder Only bays for an unlimited time.
- Shared Use bays (permit holder/paid for parking) for an unlimited time.
- Pay and Display bays on the highway within Cambridge City for an unlimited time.
- On double or single yellow lines (where no loading restrictions are in place – indicated by single or double kerb markings) for up to three hours with a time clock set at arrival.
- Limited waiting bays (30 mins, one hour, etc.) for an unlimited time.
- Disabled badge holders only bays for unlimited time.
Valid Blue Badge holders can park within some Cambridgeshire County Council operated on-street parking bays. A valid badge must be correctly displayed ensuring the expiry date and serial number are visible in the windscreen to prevent a Penalty Charge Notice being served. The vehicle must be correctly parked within the bay and not causing an obstruction.
Please check the bay has not been suspended before parking the vehicle. Blue Badge holders are not permitted to park in a suspended bay.
Blue Badge holders are not permitted to park in any bays which are reserved for other vehicles or used for a specific purpose.
This includes but is not limited to:
- Taxi ranks
- Bus stops/layovers
- Loading bays
- Electric vehicle charging bays
- Coach bays
- Car club bays
- Doctors bay
- Suspended bays
- Samaritans bays
- Motorcycle bays
Please also ensure you park considerately. Avoid parking where the vehicle may cause an obstruction or safety concern such as on school keep clear ways, zig zags and pedestrian crossings.
Find more information on Pay and Display bays in Cambridge.
Visit Cambridge Resident Parking schemes to find a Resident Parking bay location. Select a scheme to see which roads are included and operational hours.
Who can use the badge?
The badge is for your use and benefit only. It must only be displayed if you are travelling in the vehicle as a driver or passenger, or if someone is collecting you or dropping you off and needs to park at the place where you are being collected or dropped.
Don’t allow other people to use the badge to do something on your behalf, such as shopping or collecting something for you.
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You must never give the badge to friends or family to allow them to park for free, even if they are visiting you.
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You should not use the badge to allow non-disabled people to take advantage of the benefits while you sit in the car.
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It’s a criminal offence to misuse a badge. This includes people other than the badge holder taking advantage of the parking concessions provided under the scheme.
For further information visit The Blue Badge scheme, rights and responsibilities in England.
How to correctly display your Blue Badge and time clock
Display the blue badge on your dashboard or fascia panel so it can be clearly read through the windscreen. The front of the badge should face upwards, showing the hologram.
You must display your clock with your badge when you park on yellow lines or in a disabled space with a time limit. Set the clock to show when you arrived and put it next to your blue badge on the dashboard or fascia panel.
Using a Blue Badge in a private/off-street car park
It’s up to the car park’s owner to decide whether a parking exemption may be applicable for car park users who hold a valid Blue Badge. Please ensure you check the signs in the car park for details.
For off-street car parks within Cambridge City Centre including pay on exit you can find details for Blue Badge holder parking here; https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/free-parking-for-blue-badge-holders
Can I drive in bus lanes and bus gates with a Blue Badge?
In Cambridge there are several bus lane/gate restrictions in the City Centre. Blue Badge holders are not permitted to drive in bus lanes or bus gates.
Please see the Bus Lane and Bus Gate enforcement page for information regarding restrictions including location and the time of operation.
Who can inspect a Blue Badge?
Police officers, traffic wardens, parking attendants and civil enforcement officers have the power to inspect the badge. These people should produce an identity card with their photograph on it to prove they are who they say they are. However, Civil Enforcement Officers are allowed to operate in plain clothes.
If any of these people ask to see the badge, you must show it to them. If you do not, you will be breaking the law and you could be fined up to £1,000. Enforcement officers also have right to retain the badge, without police presence, if they have reasonable grounds to do so, such as if it is being misused. If the badge is removed by a Civil Enforcement Officer, it will returned to the Council’s Blue Badge team who will contact the registered blue badge holder.
It is a criminal offence for you or anyone else to misuse a Blue Badge. If you are using the parking concessions as a passenger, it is your responsibility to make sure that the driver is aware of all the rules.
Learn more about the rights and responsibilities of a Blue Badge holder.
If you suspect a Blue Badge is being misused to take advantage of the parking concessions, you can report this to the Parking Control Team. You can do this by calling 01223 727 915 (lines operate Monday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm or Friday from 9am to 4.30pm) or by emailing parkingcontrol@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.
Please provide us with as much information as possible, including where possible:
- Name
- Serial number on the Blue Badge
- Expiry date
- Location where the badge is being used
Once you have provided this the team will look to investigate and take action as appropriate.
International Blue Badge holders
If you are a visitor from abroad, you can use your valid disabled badge/parking card in Cambridge City. You can park in the bays outlined within the “Where can I park with a Blue Badge?” section on this page.
Appeals
If you receive a Penalty Charge Notice and wish to appeal, follow the instructions provided on the notice document. You will need to include a copy of your valid disabled badge or parking card.
