Disabled badge misuse?

[Boofshoes]

I've just had lunch with a friend at a soft play so I was expecting a light afternoon. They confided in me that their partner has started taking their disabled badge and using it without them with them when they are wfh. I told them it's a criminal act and they said they've told them that but can't stop them. Will my friend get in trouble if someone reports it or will just the partner?

I didn't say they could do it if the disabled person was away for some time running errands. I said they could do it if the disabled person was due to arrive shortly by which I meant in the next 5 or 10 minutes.

I personally think 10 minutes is pushing it - that's not exactly a pick up. It should (generally) only take a minute or two if the badge holder texts/calls the drive to let them know they're on their way back to the car.

You don't know it would only take a minute or two! The non disabled person may be parked miles away. It depends very much on the situation.

My scenario is that I go into the pharmacy or shop with OH, but can't stand up to wait for long. If there are no chairs or benches (very common since covid when they were removed and often not replaced) and the nearest safe sitting place is actually his car, I need to get back to the car. I have a passenger door car key. (I'm a passenger, and it's my Blue Badge.)

I leave OH to pay for my stuff with my money/card and head back to the passenger seat on my crutches. The meds would have my name on them.

Anyway, very helpful, thank you. I'm pretty sure the enforcement officers would be OK with it as the Blue Badge use has been for my sole benefit. I have enhanced PIP for mobility, so automatic entitlement.

Yes, it would be fine to do that.