Enforcement officers at Nottingham City Council are reminding motorists they face prosecution if they continue to use blue badges which belonged to deceased relatives.

They are urging drivers to respect the integrity of the UK-wide scheme – which ensures that people with severe mobility issues caused by disabilities can park closer to their destinations – following a sharp rise in cases this year.

When a badge holder passes away, the council is notified via the Tell Us Once service or the National Fraud Initiative. These systems allow for the prompt cancellation of the badge and all enforcement officers are equipped to check validity at the roadside.

In 2024, there were 53 cases of misuse involving blue badges which had been cancelled following the holder’s death. As of early August 2025, the same figure has already risen to 73 with more than four months of the year still to go.

The majority of these cases involve friends or relatives of the deceased badge holder. While some claim accidental use, such as picking up the wrong badge, there is no valid excuse for using one that has been cancelled.

Some of the explanations given by drivers include:

• “I thought I could use it because it was still in date”
• “I used it for sentimental reasons”
• “I need my own badge so thought I’d use this one until I sort out mine”
• “I inherited the badge with the car”
• “Nobody told me I couldn’t”
• “It was only for seven minutes”
• “It was early and there were loads of spaces, so I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong”

Using a cancelled badge is a serious offence and drivers caught face a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), potential vehicle removal and legal action. Recent prosecutions have resulted in fines exceeding £1,000.

In one case from March 2025, a Ford Fiesta was found displaying a badge cancelled in October 2023 after the death of an 80-year-old Nottingham resident. The driver, the deceased’s son, admitted knowingly using the badge and described his actions as “selfish and stupid”. He was fined £1,015.

In another incident the following month, a Land Rover was found in Wollaton Street displaying a badge cancelled by Derbyshire County Council. The driver refused to allow the officer to inspect the badge – itself an offence – and was fined £1,024.

The latest warning follows a wider crackdown by the city council in May as part of National Blue Badge Day of Action where a car was towed away and more than 30 people were fined for misuse of a badge.

Since the start of 2025, the council’s compliance checks have identified almost 500 cases of blue badge misuse. These include use without the badge holder present; use of expired, stolen, or fake badges; and use of badges that have been revoked. More than 400 PCNs have been issued and 117 badges seized.

Councillor Linda Woodings, Executive Member for Regional Development, Growth and Transport at Nottingham City Council, said: “Our message is simple – if you misuse or abuse a blue badge in Nottingham, you will be caught and face legal consequences.

“The council is absolutely committed to protecting this vital scheme, which supports people with genuine mobility needs. Fraudulent use is not only illegal, but selfish and unfair.

“It directly undermines the whole purpose of the scheme, which is to support people with significant mobility impairments.

“When badges are used fraudulently or by those not entitled, it reduces the availability of accessible parking spaces for those who genuinely need them. This can lead to increased stress, reduced independence and missed appointments or opportunities for disabled people.

“Ensuring the integrity of the scheme is therefore not only a matter of enforcement but also of equity, accessibility and dignity for legitimate badge holders. We make no apology for holding those to account who misuse blue badges in our city.”

It is a criminal offence for anyone to use a badge they are not entitled to, and doing so could lead to a £1,000 fine and confiscation.

Anyone who suspects a blue badge is being misused can call 0115 876 1888, email [email protected] or report it here.