Written question asked by Lord Bowness (Crossbench) on Tuesday, 8 November 2022, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 22 November 2022. It was answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton (Conservative) on Tuesday, 15 November 2022 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Blue Badge Scheme: Spain

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 28 October (HL2803), whether mutual recognition of disabled persons’ Blue Badges is a matter for individual Spanish local authorities.

Answer: It is for individual EU Member States to decide if they will recognise a Disabled Parking Card issued in another country. Mutual recognition of parking cards across countries is discretionary and not legally binding. In Spain, local authorities are responsible for parking card verification, therefore recognition of foreign issued parking cards is at their discretion. Recognition of the UK Blue Badge in Spain was discussed as part of wider negotiations on driving licence exchange with Spain, but this has not proved to be a workable approach. UK Government advice to disabled travellers has always been to check locally in the area of travel before parking.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL3270
Session: 2022-23
Related items: Blue Badge Scheme: Spain
Friday, 28 October 2022
Written questions
House of Lords
Grouped for answer: Yes
Subjects: Blue badge scheme Local government Reciprocal arrangements Spain
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk