[Ottiebow]

Hi

I have a blue disabled badge which I use for parking.  I’ve been housebound a lot so not had chance to use it much so looking for some guidance as i’m finding it confusing.

For instance – If i’m parking in a council shopping car park, and the car park uses ringo app.  The parking sign says Disabled badge users can park for free.  Am I supposed to use the ringo app to park as I presume the app will charge me?

Am i supposed to register my disabled badge with the parking apps?

If I park on the street (managed by ringo app) do I use the ringo app or just put the disabled badge in the windscreen and not log onto the ringo app?

I seem to be getting very confused how to use these apps along side a disabled badge and don’t want to end up with a parking fine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Topic

[BigDave]

Ottiebow wrote:

Hi I have a blue disabled badge which I use for parking. I’ve been housebound a lot so not had chance to use it much so looking for some guidance as i’m finding it confusing. For instance – If i’m parking in a council shopping car park, and the car park uses ringo app. The parking sign says Disabled badge users can park for free. Am I supposed to use the ringo app to park as I presume the app will charge me? Am i supposed to register my disabled badge with the parking apps? If I park on the street (managed by ringo app) do I use the ringo app or just put the disabled badge in the windscreen and not log onto the ringo app? I seem to be getting very confused how to use these apps along side a disabled badge and don’t want to end up with a parking fine.

@ottiebow

The problem is that council run car parks, rather like private ones, can have differing rules, often car park to car park and/or council area to council area.

The only safe  way to check entitlement is to fully read the signs on the car park (take a clear photo of the signage if necessary so you can enlarge it). A check of the relevant council’s website or even calling them and asking may also be helpful, but again do check the signage on the particular car park when parking.

You may have to register your vehicle on an app (or might not), it can again very council to council and car park to car park.

Sorry to be so non-specific, but there is such variance between what local authorities offer disabled parking wise it is impossible for anyone here to know, particularly as you haven’t named the local authority (council) area concerned.

[kezo]

Ottiebow wrote:

Hi I have a blue disabled badge which I use for parking. I’ve been housebound a lot so not had chance to use it much so looking for some guidance as i’m finding it confusing. For instance – If i’m parking in a council shopping car park, and the car park uses ringo app. The parking sign says Disabled badge users can park for free. Am I supposed to use the ringo app to park as I presume the app will charge me? Am i supposed to register my disabled badge with the parking apps? If I park on the street (managed by ringo app) do I use the ringo app or just put the disabled badge in the windscreen and not log onto the ringo app? I seem to be getting very confused how to use these apps along side a disabled badge and don’t want to end up with a parking fine.

You may find this useful

Ringo Blue Badge parking

• Check Signage: Always review the local parking signs for the specific rules set by the parking operator before using RingGo for Blue Badge parking.
• No Registration Needed with RingGo: You do not need to register your Blue Badge with RingGo. Just follow the rules for Blue Badge display in your vehicle.

https://support.ringgo.co.uk/hc/en-us/articles/16808611805596-Blue-Badge-Parking

[ChrisK]

If your parking on a public road that has parking meters there’s no need register any apps so just display the badge, though you have to be careful that the road your on is actually a public road.

Parking in council car parks is a minefield and I try to avoid them where I can and just go elsewhere to shop.

My local council in Bristol is a rare one in that you only have to display your badge for free parking so I’m OK at home and in places that I’m a regular visitor I try to buy a parking permit. I always have one for Dorset county council because I visit about 3 times a year or more, cost for 3 years on last renewal was £17. Summer just gone I bought one for Cornwall councils at £10 for a year but only used it for the one week holiday, at a loss because I wouldn’t have spent that much parking anyway,  but its the convenience that matters.

[Ottiebow]

thanks everyone for your thoughts.

I did ring my local borough Council and the general gist was:   if a road/car park is patrolled by a parking attendant on foot then it’s likely that the disabled badge in the windscreen is all that is required.

If it is monitored by some other means (I presume CCTV) then you need to use the app.

[Jason23]

As the others have said, it all depends on where you are and where you park.

I was in Cornwall in August and went Bodmin. I parked in a local council car park and the lady at the council reception took a copy of my Blue Badge so I was allowed to park there for free.

 

[ChrisK]

It’s odd that there’s differing information about free Blue Badge parking in council car parks in Cornwall. Maybe it’s county or town councils that have different policies. One thing we can be sure of when it comes to dealing with local and national government and that’s confusion.

This is the Blue Badge permit I used this year…

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/blue-badge-disabled-parking-permits/free-disabled-parking-when-you-dont-pay-car-tax

[Glos Guy]

Ottiebow wrote:

thanks everyone for your thoughts. I did ring my local borough Council and the general gist was: if a road/car park is patrolled by a parking attendant on foot then it’s likely that the disabled badge in the windscreen is all that is required. If it is monitored by some other means (I presume CCTV) then you need to use the app.

As others have said, never assume. Always check the signs every time you park. I use Apcoa car parks occasionally and have registered for a blue badge online permit, but they make it clear that free parking for blue badge holders applies at most, but not all, of their car parks and you must check the signage at each location. It’s a minefield and making an incorrect assumption is likely to get you a parking fine!

[Author]

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