Urgent warning drivers CAN be fined £1,000 for parking in disabled bay even if they have a badge

DRIVERS have been warned they can be fined a whopping £1,000 for parking in a disabled bay, even if they have a badge.

There are a number of ways drivers can “misuse” their blue badge without even realising it – which can land them in hot water.

The badges were created so people with disabilities can park in places others can’t, for example in a space reserved for blue badge holders.

They are linked to a person rather than a vehicle meaning they can also be used if a person is driving a hire care or using a taxi, the Citizens Advice Bureau explains.

However there are several rules badge holders must be aware of to avoid paying the pricey penalty.

Those who give their badge to someone else to use, those who keep using it when they no longer need to and those who use it to park while they are just waiting in the car can all face the fine.

Badge holders are also not exempt from following usual parking regulations and therefore can be slapped with a hefty fine if they park somewhere illegal, for example somewhere that endangers people.

The site also advised that the badges don’t work everywhere – some areas have different parking schemes for disabled people. 

These include: City of London, City of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Gatwick Airport, Heathrow Airport and Camden – although in Camden you can still use your Blue Badge in some areas.