London - Congestion Charge & Blue Badge Holders

Brassedoff

Why don't people do a search on the forum before asking a question. No offence OP, but in about 3 years this same questions come up many times.

jeanmd

saving_pennies wrote: »

As a blue-badge holder, I thought I had to pay £10 to register for 100% discount on congestion charge. However on seeing your post I am wondering if having a disability exempt tax disc means that I do not have to pay the £10 to register for no congestion charge - does anyone know the answer to this? Also, can anyone tell me how they know that I am exempt from paying road tax and therefore do not have to pay the congestion charge.

That's correct, you will not need to pay the ten pound. Also you can park in any parking bay free of charge for as long as you want with your blue badge according to the lovely traffic warden we spoke to when looking for a parking space. Do be careful about parking on yellow lines though as they are very strict.

If you are going to use a car without an exempt tax disc you need to pay the £10 and it will take a few weeks to come through.

They know your car has an exemption as the cameras that are used for the congestion charge uses registration plate recognition.

Please see here:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/congestioncharging/17098.aspx

Exemptions

You don't have to pay the Congestion Charge or register with us if the vehicle is recorded at the DVLA in one of these categories:

Two-wheeled motorbikes (and sidecars), and mopeds
Emergency service vehicles, such as ambulances and fire engines, which have a taxation class of 'Ambulance' or 'Fire engine'
NHS vehicles that are exempt from road tax
Vehicles used by disabled people that are exempt from road tax and have a 'disabled' taxation class
Vehicles for more than one disabled person (for example Dial-A-Ride) exempt from road tax and have a 'disabled' taxation class

saving_pennies

Thank you everyone for your helpful responses to my question.

Kurgon, I will check with them to see if they have correct info re: my car having disabled tax, I don't want any surprise penalty charges. Jeanmd, thanks for advise re yellow lines and parking.

kurgon

Hi

Check this site out as well as parts of London do not allow normal use of the badge - the City of London, the City of Westminster, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and parts of the London Borough of Camden

http://www.bluebadgelondon.org.uk/

grazzzz

jeanmd wrote: »

That's correct, you will not need to pay the ten pound. Also you can park in any parking bay free of charge for as long as you want with your blue badge according to the lovely traffic warden we spoke to when looking for a parking space. Do be careful about parking on yellow lines though as they are very strict.

If you are going to use a car without an exempt tax disc you need to pay the £10 and it will take a few weeks to come through.

They know your car has an exemption as the cameras that are used for the congestion charge uses registration plate recognition.

Please see here:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/congestioncharging/17098.aspx

Exemptions

You don't have to pay the Congestion Charge or register with us if the vehicle is recorded at the DVLA in one of these categories:

Two-wheeled motorbikes (and sidecars), and mopeds
Emergency service vehicles, such as ambulances and fire engines, which have a taxation class of 'Ambulance' or 'Fire engine'
NHS vehicles that are exempt from road tax
Vehicles used by disabled people that are exempt from road tax and have a 'disabled' taxation class
Vehicles for more than one disabled person (for example Dial-A-Ride) exempt from road tax and have a 'disabled' taxation class

That isnt correct you cant park in westminster unless its in a disabled bay otherwise you have to pay but you get an extra hour free on top of the paid amount this also applies to Kensington and Chelsea

jeanmd

grazzzz wrote: »

That isnt correct you cant park in westminster unless its in a disabled bay otherwise you have to pay but you get an extra hour free on top of the paid amount this also applies to Kensington and Chelsea

Thank's for this, it's good to know.

jeanmd

The traffic warden even told us that there was a parking space on Pratt Walk near the police station (normal bay) near Lambeth Bridge. So if you come across a T/W when looking to park, do stop and ask about parking if you are in a position to do so.

grazzzz

if you have an smartphone download the app "parkright" its free it willl show you live info of parking spaces available in westminster in real time so no need to search for a space