Drivers with autism and dementia could get Blue Badges under new parking laws
Blue Badge rules will be given biggest overhaul since they were introduced in 1970. People with dementia and autism will be give the parking exemptions under 'invisible disability' laws
BLUE Badges could be extended to drivers with "hidden disabilities" under new plans.
People with conditions like dementia and autism would be handed the permits as part of a huge overhaul of the rules.
The Department for Transport (DfT) revealed it's plotting the biggest changes to the parking scheme since it was introduced in 1970.
Ministers want to even out rules for the treatment of physical and mental health.
And it's hoped the changes will make it easier for people with "invisible" conditions to travel to work, socialise and shop.
The DfT said councils have different interpretations of existing rules with only some recognising hidden disabilities.
Around 2.4 million disabled people in England have a Blue Badge with the new policy designed to provide "clear and consistent" guidelines - and stop a potential boom of bogus claims for badges.
A Blue Badge entitles the holder to park free of charge in pay and display bays and for up to three hours on yellow lines - while in London they exempt holders from having to pay the congestion charge.
Around three out of four holders say they would go out less often if they did not have one, according to the DfT.
Transport minister Jesse Norman said: "Blue Badges give people with disabilities the freedom to get jobs, see friends or go to the shops with as much ease as possible.
"We want to try to extend this to people with invisible disabilities, so they can enjoy the freedom to get out and about, where and when they want."
The proposals, which are being put to an eight-week public consultation, also include changes to Blue Badge assessments.
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A larger variety of healthcare professionals who can spot if mental health is causing mobility issues will be able to carry out the tests to make sure only those truly eligible are given permits.
Sarah Lambert, head of policy at the National Autistic Society, said amending parking permit access could be "a lifeline" for many autistic people, who often do not qualify under current regulations.
Autistic people can suffer anxiety from not being able to park in a predictable place close to their destination, and some can "experience too much information" from surroundings on public transport, Ms Lambert said.