People with a Blue Badge who meet certain requirements can apply for an additional parking permit allowing them to park free of charge in our car parks for up to three hours.
The new Restricted Mobility Car Park Permit (RMCPP), which will need to be displayed alongside their Blue Badge, gives holders more time to complete their shopping and tasks in Dorset’s towns.
Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “Some people, because of their mobility, need a little longer to carry out their tasks so our new Restricted Mobility Car Park Permit will give them three hours free parking and more peace of mind when out and about.”
Blue Badge holders who don’t qualify for the RMCPP have also seen a change to their parking, with the introduction of a free one hour’s parking in Dorset Council car parks on top of that purchased. They will need to purchase a valid parking ticket, so, for example, if they buy 30 minutes’ parking they can stay for an hour and a half.
Cllr Bryan continued: “This change makes parking across our car parks consistent. Previously there were different rules for towns in the former district and borough councils that existed before Dorset Council was formed, and this sometimes caused confusion.
“The free hour for Blue Badge holders on top of their purchased parking offers consistency and fairness across our car parks, and takes into account the extra time an individual may need when shopping or visiting our towns.”
How to apply for a Restricted Mobility Car Park Permit (RMCPP)
Blue Badge holders can apply for the RMCPP if they receive one of the following:
- Higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- 10 points or more on the ‘Moving around’ section in the ‘Mobility component’ of Personal Independence payment (PIP)
- Higher rate mobility component of Child Disability Payment
- War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
Alternatively, they will need to provide evidence that the vehicle registered in the name of the person with a disability or their nominated driver’s name is tax exempt.
Apply here
Anyone who needs assistance applying can call Dorset Council on 01305 221000.
The RMCPP costs £15 and will expire at the same time as the permit holder’s Blue Badge.
These changes do not apply to car parks not owned by Dorset Council or on-street parking. Drivers are advised to always check the car park’s information board when parking their vehicle.
Additional exemption parking permits held by some Blue Badge holders in the Dorset Council area will remain valid for use until their expiry date. Holders are advised to check car park tariff boards for eligibility.
Drivers who live outside the Dorset Council area who meet the criteria can also apply for the RMCPP for use in Dorset Council car parks.
Tried four time s to apply for disabled permit and each time when I go to upload evidence it collapses and have to start again. If I can’t apply I will continue to park legally on yellow lines as I have a vehicle with sleeping facilities which you call a motorhome but which fits in a car space easily and in West bay I can only use one car park which is often full so what choice do I have??
Hi Geoff, I’m sorry to hear you’re having difficulty uploading the evidence. You can still fill in the online form without uploading the evidence and then email the evidence to our customer services team. Please type RMP evidence and your application in the email subject line and send the email to: customerservices@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Being a blue badge holder I would like to know when the new one hour free parking starts.
Kind regards.
Hi Ray, it is effective now. Please do let us know if you have any more questions, best regards, Claire
I find your websites completely mystifying.
For the last few years I have had a disc for free parking in Christchurch car parks. Now you no longer have Council offices I went into Christchurch library and was told I still qualify but must apply online ONLY and that disc is now for one year.
I am disabled, have a blue badge and Council tax disability reduction. I also receive Living allowance at the higher rate. I have severe arthritis, asthma, bronchiectosis and am recovering from breast cancer?
How do I apply. What documents do you need to see?
Hi Patricia, parking in Christchurch is managed by BCP Council as Christchurch has come under that council since 2019. I have checked their website and there is a phone number for Blue Badge enquiries, which is 01202 123 100. Best regards, Claire
Hi. I live in Wimborne and have a East Dorset Disabled Parking Permit which expires at the end of 2024 with my blue badge. This enables me to park 24/7 in any East dorset car park with no limits. I paid £15 for it .
Can I now use this Permit in other Dorset Car Parks please, do I have to pay, and for how long can I park using it
It all seems very confusing
With thanks
Susan Webber
Hi Susan, I have forwarded your question to our Blue Badge team and asked them to get in touch with you. For reference, their email address is parkingbadges@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Best regards, Claire
Some car parks in Weymouth have a maximum stay of 2 hours, will I still be able to use the permit in those car parks for the 3 hours?
Hello Michael, I have passed your question to our parking team at parkingtransformation@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk Regards, Claire
I have a blue badge but live outside of Dorset. In the rest of the Country you can park in residential permit bays or on double yellow lines, your website is not clear as to whether this is allowed?
Hi Tracey, I have forwarded your question to our Blue Badge team by email at parkingbadges@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk and have asked them to respond to you. Best regards, Claire