There has been a significant increase in people using the Blue Badges of deceased relatives, with some claiming they parked using the badge for “sentimental reasons” or believing they had “inherited it.”
Since the start of 2025, more than 77 cases of misuse of deceased badges have been recorded in Nottingham. By comparison, 53 cases were reported throughout 2024. With four months left in the year, the council has already identified 24 additional cases.
Drivers caught with cancelled badges have offered a variety of excuses. Some said, “I thought I could use it because it was still in date” or “I used it for sentimental reasons.” Others explained, “I needed my own badge, so I used this one temporarily” or “I thought I inherited the badge with the car.”
Some claims were even more casual: “Nobody told me I couldn’t,” “It was only for seven minutes,” and “There were lots of spaces, so I didn’t think I did anything wrong.”
Beyond deceased badges, Nottingham City Council has identified over 500 cases of Blue Badge misuse in 2025. These include fake badges, stolen badges, expired badges, or badges that had been revoked.
Marcus Hall, a parking compliance officer with the council since 2004, said the system has improved enforcement. “Previously, people made their own badges. Now the Department for Transport handles them centrally, which makes it easier to catch misuse.”
He added that the rise in misuse is not limited to deceased badges. “Stolen and fake badges have also increased. Many stolen badges come from London. Some people even buy badges on social media platforms like Facebook Marketplace. The fakes are getting better, but they’re still easy to spot.”
Hall emphasised the impact of misuse: “It’s not just taking a parking space - it’s taking money from the public. Most cases involve disabled spaces in the city, which should be reserved for genuine users.”
Using a cancelled badge can lead to Penalty Charge Notices, vehicle removal, or legal action. Some fines have exceeded £1,500. In one March 2025 case, a Ford Fiesta displayed a badge cancelled over two years earlier. The driver, the deceased’s son, later admitted his actions were “selfish and stupid.”
Councillor Linda Woodings, Nottingham City Council’s executive member for regional development, growth, and transport, said:
“Our message is simple - misuse a Blue Badge in Nottingham, and you will face legal consequences. The council is committed to protecting this vital scheme for people with genuine mobility needs. Fraudulent use is illegal, unfair, and directly undermines the purpose of the scheme.
“When badges are misused, it reduces available accessible parking, increasing stress and limiting independence for disabled people. Protecting the scheme is about fairness, accessibility, and dignity for legitimate badge holders. We will continue to hold those who misuse Blue Badges accountable.”
