Blue badge parking question

[DustyLee123]

My Dm recently got a blue badge for parking. I am taking her to the hospital, and you usually pay for parking. How will the camera recognition know we’re using a blue badge, or do we still pay?
sorry if it’s a stupid question, but we’re still working it out.

Depends on the hospital. Some hospitals will let Blue Badge holders park for free (in a designated bay with the badge displayed) but I've found that most require you to register the badge at reception and then you are waived the parking charge automatically.

Different hospitals operate in different ways. Some you have to go to the main reception, others the parking security hut and another let you buzz on the way out and you hold up your badge for the camera. Easiest way is to call the main reception and ask. There might be designated bays away from the main parking area too.

Purely depends on the hospital. Some you still pay the normal charge but get extra room using the disabled bays.

You can normally find out by reading the hospital letter or looking at the website.

Agree with @Junibug , it does depend on the hospital. Best thing is to check with them beforehand. They may need you to register the badge (and renew the registration when you get a new badge, otherwise you'll get fined!); or park and scan the badge when you leave if it's a barrier-operated car park. Some hospitals have an area which is just for blue badge holders with no barriers and this makes things easier. But do check first!

Definitely ask! Our local one scans the barcode on mums blue badge on our way out. I've found in about 60% of car parks overall allow you to park for free ~ this will be clearly displayed on the T&Cs on the pay machines if so ~ some still expect you to pay though. I try and go with the default of expecting to pay, and having a pleasant surprise if I don't.

At mine I had to register my badge at reception. I can now park in the blue badge bays in any of the hospitals in the group. There should be instructions telling you what you should do when you arrive.

Read the signs as with any car parks the rule of thumb with BB

As others have said, each hospital may be different. Some you scan your blue badge at the payment machine, others the specific blue badge car park oes not have an exit barrier.

One tip with blue badge parking (not hospital) is if you have to display your blue badge on the dashboard, but get a ticket to exit the car park from reception or somewhere, take a photograph of both sides of the blue badge on your phone to show reception.

Look at be hospital website as some near us require you to register your badge and usual cars used online before you go, or within 24 hours after. But once done it was registered with them for 2 years, so all further trips nothing needed doing .

Others needed badge scanning at pay machine on exit, as well as displaying in the car, so as previous poster suggested, take a photo of badge and barcode, or we carried a printed colour scan, to save trips back to car.

It does depend on the hospital. I have a BB and at Norwich for example parking is free but you have to go to the reception desk with a photo of your badge (which you’ve left in the car obviously) and they give you a free ticket you scan as you exit.

Thanks, just had to register the badge number and my car registration for free parking.