Do I need to tell DVLA if I have a Blue Badge?

Yes, if you are a driver with a Blue Badge, you must tell the DVLA about any medical condition or disability that could affect your ability to drive safely, even if you have adapted your car. Failing to report a "notifiable" condition can lead to fines up to £1,000 or prosecution if you're involved in an accident. The Blue Badge itself signifies a disability, so the requirement to inform the DVLA is directly linked to holding one and being a driver.

Does having a Blue Badge affect your car insurance?

Can I get cheaper car insurance with a Blue Badge? Yes, some car insurance providers offer a discount if you hold a Blue Badge, which lets people who have mobility problems park closer to shops and public facilities.

What circumstances require you to notify DVLA?

You must tell DVLA if you have a driving licence and:

• you develop a 'notifiable' medical condition or disability.
• a condition or disability has got worse since you got your licence.

Can I use my wife's Blue Badge to do her shopping?

No, you generally cannot use your wife's Blue Badge to do her shopping unless she is with you in the vehicle as a driver or passenger, as the badge is strictly for the holder's use and benefit; letting someone else use it to shop for them (even if for the holder's benefit) is misuse, a criminal offense, and can result in fines and badge confiscation.

Can I use my Blue Badge in a friend's car?

You can use the badge throughout the UK, the European Union and some other European countries. You can use the badge when you are driving or are a passenger in a car. Other people, such as your friends or relatives, can not use the badge unless you are travelling with them.

BREAKING: New Rule for Blue Badge Holders – Disabled Drivers Get £3,750 Free | What You MUST Know!

What medical conditions need to be disclosed to the DVLA?

But while the DVLA's A-Z list shows 189 conditions that may affect driving, seven particular ones must be disclosed to them. These are glaucoma, epilepsy, certain heart conditions including atrial fibrillation and pacemakers, stroke, sleep apnoea, syncope (fainting) and diabetes if you're taking insulin.

What is the new driving licence rule for seniors?

Rather than the standard 10-year renewal period, under section 99(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1988, drivers over the age of 70 must renew their licence every three years. All drivers, regardless of age, are legally obliged to declare medical conditions or disabilities which may affect their driving.

Do I need to tell DVLA I wear glasses?

No, you don't need to tell the DVLA just for needing glasses due to short/long-sightedness, but you must wear them when driving if you need them to meet the legal eyesight standard (reading a number plate from 20m), and you must inform the DVLA about certain eye conditions (like glaucoma, cataracts, double vision) or if your vision worsens significantly, otherwise you risk fines or prosecution, notes Confused.com and GOV.UK. When applying or renewing your license, you'll declare you need glasses (getting the '01' code), and you must wear them, says Specsavers UK and Scrap Car Comparison.

What benefits can I claim if I have a Blue Badge?

Having a Blue Badge primarily grants major parking benefits (free on-street parking, wider bays) and can lead to vehicle tax exemption, discounts on public transport (rail, coach), exemptions from London's Congestion/ULEZ charges, and potential for local council concessions like priority parking near home, though it's separate from direct disability benefits like PIP or DLA, which you may also be eligible for and provide additional support.

What are the new rules for a Blue Badge in 2025?

In 2025, Blue Badge changes focus on clarifying hidden disabilities, updating local authority guidance, and addressing vehicle tax/Motability scheme impacts, with a major shift seeing Electric Vehicles lose tax-free status from April, affecting some Blue Badge holders claiming vehicle tax exemptions, while ongoing improvements in Wales and England aim for fairer assessments and better processes, including new digital tools for parking payments and stricter enforcement.

What are Blue Badge holders entitled to?

The Blue Badge is a legal document that allows persons with disabilities (document holders) to park their vehicle, or the vehicle in which they are travelling in, in reserved parking bays (blue bay) due to difficulties in their mobility or other disability.

Do you have to declare a Blue Badge to DVLA?

If you are a driver and your disability is likely to affect your ability to drive (even if your car is adapted), the law says you must tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

What color car gets the cheapest insurance?

The color of your car doesn't affect your insurance rate. Instead, your insurance company uses other information, like your car's age, location, usage, and your driving record, to help determine insurance rates.

What can't you drive after 70?

Once you renew your licence at 70 years of age you will automatically lose the C1 (Medium sized vehicles between 3500kg and 7500kg) and D1 (Minibuses) categories on your licence. If you wish to still hold these you will need to complete a D2 (Application Form) and a D4 (Medical Examination Report).

Is it safe for 80 year olds to drive?

Senior Driver Fatality Statistics

While teen drivers have the highest rates when it comes to accidents, injuries, and the deaths of others in accidents, seniors over the age of 80 have the highest rate of driver fatalities in accidents they caused, according to the AAA Senior Driving.

Can I touch my sat nav while driving?

It's illegal to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send or receive data, while driving or riding a motorcycle. This means you must not use a device in your hand for any reason, whether online or offline.

What are the new DVLA rules for elderly drivers?

Current Rules for Drivers Over 70 (Updated 2025)

The DVLA has introduced several important changes for senior drivers: – Mandatory Eyesight Test Confirmation: From August 2025, proof of an eyesight test within the last 12 months is required for license renewal.

What are the six conditions that affect your driving?

The Six Conditions Of Driving

• The six conditions which influence your driving are Light, Weather, Road, Traffic, Vehicle, and the Driver.
• ALCOHOL. Don't mix driving and drinking. ...
• AGE. Know your limitations and adjust to them. ...
• ATTITUDE. ...
• DROWSINESS AND FATIGUE. ...
• DRUGS. ...
• PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENTS. ...
• EMOTIONS.

Can you drive on blood pressure medication?

Driving a car or motorbike

Some blood pressure medications cause side effects that could make it unsafe to drive, such as dizziness or tiredness. Speak to your doctor about any side effects you're experiencing and whether it's safe to drive. You should be able to try a different medicine or a lower dose.

Can my mum use her Blue Badge in my car?

The badge is for you only. It can only be used if you are the driver or the passenger. It cannot be used by other people, even if they are doing something for you.

Does having a Blue Badge affect my car insurance?

Having a Blue Badge is unlikely to have a significant impact on your car insurance. But you might find it does bring the cost of your premiums down with some insurance providers because you have more parking options, meaning you can park in some safer places than other drivers.