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Contents
International Disabled Parking Permits
Can I use my international disability parking permit in Scotland?
What do I need to do in order to use it?
How do I find which Council area I am travelling in?
Where can you park?
What do I need to do in order to use it?
How do I understand when parking times are limited?
How to tell the difference between public and private owned parking
Travelling outside Scotland but within the UK
International Disabled Parking Permits
Disabled parking permits issued by the UK are called Blue Badges. There are no temporary blue badges so you need to be a disabled UK resident in order to obtain one.
Can I use my international disability parking permit in Scotland?
Any authentic international disability parking permit will usually be accepted in Scotland and treated in the same way and according to the same parking rules as the blue badge if you follow the steps required by individual councils so you can use it.
What do I need to do in order to use it?
What you need to do in each local authority area varies. Some Councils will require you to contact them in advance and send a photo of your disabled parking permit while others do not. Doing this means that you are less likely to have issues with traffic wardens not recognising your permit.
You should display your permit on the dashboard where it’s easily visible from outside the car and clearly shows the expiry date if there is one.
How do I find which Council area I am travelling in?
You can search by postcode for the Council areas you are travelling to and find their contact details. See link below.
https://www.mygov.scot/contact-local-council
If you have difficulties you can email us at Disability Information Scotland on info@disabilityscot.org.uk and we will do our best to find you contact details.
Where can you park?
You can find details of where you can park here:
https://www.mygov.scot/how-to-use-a-blue-badge/where-you-can-park-with-a-blue-badge
For the most part, there are no time limits while parking with a disabled parking permit in most blue badge bays or at parking meters in Scotland. There are, however, some exceptions. For example, in the town centre in Oban there is a three hour limit for parking even with a blue badge and you must display the time you arrived beside your parking permit on the windscreen.
How do I understand when parking times are limited?
It is essential to read signs and to know that the blue badge parking rules only apply to public car parks and parking places which are run by the local Councils. Additional limits may also be listed on signs. Do be aware that vertical lines across the kerb at double yellow lines mean added restrictions. You can get a better understanding of signs and road markings here:
Additionally, blue badge holder may not park in resident’s parking areas unless they have a residents’ permit displayed as well as a blue badge.
How to tell the difference between public and private owned parking
All public car parks will have the names of the council on parking signs and tickets. Ones that have company names are private. Most supermarket car parks are private and the parking at a number of visitor attractions may also be private. You may have to pay for parking in some these car parks. You must read the signs to find out what the rules are.
Travelling outside Scotland but within the UK
If you are travelling outside Scotland but within the UK,
England, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own rules for Blue Badge parking. Details can be found using the following links
Northern Ireland https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/rights-and-responsibilities-blue-badge-holders
Information last updated on 4 March 2026. Please note that information may be subject to change. All information is provided in good faith but Disability Information Scotland does not endorse any product or service referred to within this resource.
We are grateful to the Scottish Government for funding this publication
