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Topic: Using Blue Badge abroad

JULIED444

21/5/2016 at 9:31am
Location: SOUTH EAST
Outfit: CARAVAN - Bailey Pegasus

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This is our first time travelling abroad with a Blue Badge, can you use it the same way as in the UK? Is it recognised? Thanks.

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Julie
Summer 2016 Camping las Dunas, Spain

Woop Woop I won £50 of Halfords vouchers for one of my camp site reviews - make sure you do yours!

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

DaveS1

21/5/2016 at 9:37am
Location: Hatfield Peverel Essex
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Yes, never had a problem.
DaveS1

Baguette95

21/5/2016 at 9:45am
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Yes it is. I was only challenged once & when I showed my badge & then was obviously on crutches as I got out of the car, I was showered with apologies and was I okays.
I found the French were generally very gracious towards me when I was disabled. In UK I've been shouted at when 1/2 way across a pedestrian crossing and the lights changed, (as if I could run, FFS), I've been knocked out of the way, pushed in front of at tills & called a spakker, (naice).
In France, I've walked on my crutches round those busy markets & people stepped to the side & gave me room.
If I was anywhere near the kerb, the cars would just stop; whether I was crossing or not!
I think that you'll be fine over there. I found the French mind set much more caring & understanding than the British one!

iank01

21/5/2016 at 9:54am
Location: Worcestershire
Outfit: Buccaneer Cruiser

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Quote: Originally posted by Baguette95 on 21/5/2016
Yes it is. I was only challenged once & when I showed my badge & then was obviously on crutches as I got out of the car, I was showered with apologies and was I okays.
I found the French were generally very gracious towards me when I was disabled. In UK I've been shouted at when 1/2 way across a pedestrian crossing and the lights changed, (as if I could run, FFS), I've been knocked out of the way, pushed in front of at tills & called a spakker, (naice).
In France, I've walked on my crutches round those busy markets & people stepped to the side & gave me room.
If I was anywhere near the kerb, the cars would just stop; whether I was crossing or not!
I think that you'll be fine over there. I found the French mind set much more caring & understanding than the British one!

We are in France for the first time and have noticed the attitude towards those that are disabled. Also lots of disabled bays more convenient to town centres.

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

tango55

21/5/2016 at 12:27pm
Location: Lichfield
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You need to read the terms and conditions of the 'Blue Badge' as it only states what the law requirements are in England and Wales (which are the same law) and Scotland which is a different legislation. In England and Wales you can park on double yellow lines providing you are not causing an obstruction for a maximum of 3 hours and you have to set the correct time of arrival. In Scotland there is no time limit as you can park for 24 hours a day with the same application regarding the obstruction rule. Unless you have the legal details regarding the country you are visiting in black and white then you could possibly commit an offence without knowing what the law requirement is so although you may be able to use the Blue Badge in another European country the legislation could well be different to that of the UK.
If you want to know the facts of the Blue Badge in Europe you really need to ask the proper authorities for the legal documentation because if you receive a prosecution for illegal parking then you have no chance of appeal if you don't even know the law.
People on forums will offer advice but you can't blame them if you happen break the law in a foreign land for false information so it's best to conduct your own research.

Tom#n#Gill

21/5/2016 at 6:42pm
Location: Bolton
Outfit: Smart but casual.

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Use mine in Spain and France, mainly for street and supermarket parking in the appropriate bays, never had a problem.

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TomnGill

lizex

21/5/2016 at 6:58pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: n+1 tents

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It seems we now have the European Parking Card i.e. the Blue Badge!

This is what the AA says,

The relevant bit is "The Blue Badge is recognised in all European countries. When you display it on the dashboard, it allows you to make use of the same parking concessions allowed for the country's own citizens with disability."

It seems there's a booklet which you leave on the dash with the wording for France uppermost. It's freely available online.
Here: http://www.theaa.com/public_affairs/reports/blue_badge_abroad.pdf

These are the rules for France.

Here's the bit you print & leave on the dash.

hope that helps!

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

JULIED444

21/5/2016 at 8:38pm
Location: SOUTH EAST
Outfit: CARAVAN - Bailey Pegasus

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Thanks very much for the advice, grateful received. Happy holidays everyone!

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Julie
Summer 2016 Camping las Dunas, Spain

Woop Woop I won £50 of Halfords vouchers for one of my camp site reviews - make sure you do yours!

iank01

22/5/2016 at 8:43am
Location: Worcestershire
Outfit: Buccaneer Cruiser

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As there are a lot more Disabled bays in towns in France than the UK. We have never had an issue finding parking and never found the need to park on yellow lines. Just use a bit of common sense when in a foreign country and you should be okay.

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