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I have a British disabled badge does it work in France or Spain. If it doesn’t what do I need to do to get requisite documentation
thanks
My suggestion if you cannot find out localy, is use it where there are dedicated parking spaces, but try and avoid the parking on double lines situation unless you can stay with the vehicle.I have been looking around and this is the best info that i can find.
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Using a Blue Badge in Europe
www.gov.uk
So the answer is maybe, but for some countries you have to print out an associated notice.
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I think within reason it will be fine in most European countries if you are parked reasonably.FYI.
My wife’s works in Cyprus.
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I can gaurantee you that the Disabled Parking - four places - at our local Supermarket are usually empty, except in the summer when they will be occupied by UK registered cars with UK 'Disabled' badges.Our gov are too soft and obliging.
And this is explained where, uk government website says.The Answer is yes you can use your blue badge in France and Spain
Disabled parking, in supermarkets shopping centers etc are governed by whoever is responsible at the comercial center.I can gaurantee you that the Disabled Parking - four places - at our local Supermarket are usually empty, except in the summer when they will be occupied by UK registered cars with UK 'Disabled' badges.
The vast majority of French people, including my neighbor who would qualify for one under the strict regulations that exist in France for obtaining a Disabled Badge, consider it not to be a 'Badge of Shame' but something that belittles them in the eyes' of others; bearing in mind we are talking small towns were everyone knows every one else. Therefore, as a matter of Pride they would rather walk an additional 10m or so then been seen as special.
Robert
Sorry it seamed to have included half a previous reply as wellAnd this is explained where, uk government website says.
Disabled parking, in supermarkets shopping centers etc are governed by whoever is responsible at the comercial center.
But on public highways it is controled by the police.
Here in Hérault i haven't particularly noticed a lack of use by disabled people, but like everywhere quite a lot of misuse by able bodied people.
But at least, unlike the UK, you dont get lines of family with children spaces, right in front of the entrance and disabled 1 or 2 rows back.
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I know the question was about France and Spain but the additional information about "the states" if that means the United States. is inaccurate. In the state of Florida, for example, it used to be the case that if you had a Blue Badge you could apply by post or in person for a visitors temporary handicap tag using your Blue Badge as evidence. However the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles has confirmed that anybody who has a Blue Badge which displays the international symbol of disability, namely the wheelchair symbol, is entitled to use their Blue Badge in Florida and no longer has to apply for a temporary tag. See their website) Good news since it means less hassle and a $15 dollar issue saving.My suggestion if you cannot find out localy, is use it where there are dedicated parking spaces, but try and avoid the parking on double lines situation unless you can stay with the vehicle.
They are not accepted in the states, but all the national parks we went to were happy to issue us a pass on presentation of one (in our case a french one) so we could get to the disabled parking areas that were often a lot closer to points of interest that the normal parking.
Here in Hérault i haven't particularly noticed a lack of use by disabled people, but like everywhere quite a lot of misuse by able bodied people.
You do in some car parks in ukGot a shock in Germany when holidaying on the Mosel with my disabled wife. You have to buy a parking ticket as well as have a disabled badge to use the disabled parking spot! Was 10 years ago tho![]()
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Not always, the overwhelming majority are free but some are going for the Australian model of providing a suitable space but you pay like everyone else, all in the name of equality.Got a shock in Germany when holidaying on the Mosel with my disabled wife. You have to buy a parking ticket as well as have a disabled badge to use the disabled parking spot! Was 10 years ago tho![]()
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Believe me I would much prefer not to need a blue badge. It may help me with parking but it does nothing to help the on going difficulties I experience having fractured my lower spine.Surely even for you UK residents just visiting any Super Market you must wonder why all these 'Disabled Parking Places' are required! We have had experience of visiting UK and going out with a seriouly 'Disabled' MiL with a Blue Badge and failed to find a parking place in the 'so called' Disabled Parking Bays'. We have had to park as near as possible in the Public parking area and watched the Car Park entrance blocked by cars' queing up waiting for a free space to become vacant. Then watched people sprinting for the entrance.
It is no wonder the UK 'Blue Badge'is held in such little regard in mainland europe where it has already been posted that it is not that easy to obtain, nor do people seem to aspire to obtaining one.
Please enlighten me,
Robert
Also been verbally abused for daring to pull out of an ordinary Parking Place as no Disabled Place was vacant in order to try to get a MiL out of her wheel chair into the car, French registered which I suppose didn't help.
Yes quite true & amazingly it is far ,far easier to get a disability pension than it is to get a blue badge.They are not excepted here in Spain,apparently you have to jump through hoops and it takes two years in Spain to get one.
Bob.
they obviously either don't know the new rules or can't be bothered if there is no problem.Just returned from Spain. Whilst parked in a disabled bay in Santander my badge was inspected by the local police and they said all was okay and no need to pay.
I think within reason if you are parked in a designated disabled bay, its only going to be the jobs worth that cause any problems, but if you tried a restricted zone like double yellow lines or equivalent then you may get into more trouble.Just returned from Spain. Whilst parked in a disabled bay in Santander my badge was inspected by the local police and they said all was okay and no need to pay.
I absolutely accept that there are people, you, my late 'MiL' and anybody else who is medically proven to be in need of a 'Blue Badge' should be able to claim one and gain the exemptions provided. No dispute, my problem is all the people who don't qualify for one but who are either issued them, or use them fraudently. When my wife handed her Mothers' Blue Badge into the Council Office they were aghast as virtually no one surrenders them. Tells you something about fraudalent use.Believe me I would much prefer not to need a blue badge. It may help me with parking but it does nothing to help the the on going difficulties I experience having fractured my lower spine.