In Birmingham, a growing number of drivers are flouting parking regulations by illegally using blue badges to park on double yellow lines and in disabled bays. This deceptive practice involves displaying blue badges that do not belong to the vehicle’s driver, enabling motorists to bypass parking restrictions designed to keep spaces available for disabled individuals.
According to information obtained through a Freedom of Information request by BirminghamLive, this misuse often involves drivers using blue badges issued to relatives. Experts have noted an increase in what is colloquially known as “borrowing Grandma’s badge”—using a family member’s blue badge to secure free and convenient parking, despite being ineligible.
Between 2021 and May 2025, Birmingham authorities recorded 327 incidents where the badge holder was absent from the vehicle, clearly indicating misuse. Alarmingly, dozens of cases involved badges of deceased individuals, sometimes altered or even forged and sold online.
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The consequences of this misuse are significant: it not only breaches the law but also deprives genuinely disabled people of accessible parking spaces. Misusing a blue badge carries a penalty of up to £1,000.
The British Parking Association (BPA) highlights the severity of the issue, reporting that blue badge misuse has surged by over 1,000% since 2016. Alison Tooze, BPA’s chief engagement and policy officer, described the situation as “shocking” and emphasized the need to address the problem urgently, given that those affected are among society’s most vulnerable.
Birmingham’s parking authorities and advocacy groups are calling for stricter enforcement measures to protect disabled parking privileges from exploitation and ensure fair access for those who truly need it.