Using UK Disabled Parking Badge

[SimonV]

OK, we've been looking into this after several queries about an apparent change in policy by the Florida Department of Transport, and it seems that the rules HAVE changed.

Now, instead of just using your blue UK Disabled Parking Badge, you need to take it (along with your passport) to one of several local vehicle licensing offices in Orlando and pay a $15 fee for a temporary US parking badge. This is obviously quite different to the info that is in the Brit's Guide at the moment, but this is the official info from the FDoT. The temporary permit is good for 90 days after issue.

To find out the nearest Orange County tax office where you can visit to pay the fee and pick up your temporary badge, visit their website here: http://www.octaxcol.com/OfficeLocations.htm#South Semoran Tag Agency

There are eight Orlando offices where you can pick up the necessary badge (listed under Motor Vehicle Registrations), and it must be stressed this is the new official policy, hence you DO risk a parking fine if you don't comply with these regulations.

In Osceola County, there are four tax offices, listed on this website: http://www.osceolataxcollector.com/locations-hours.html

 

[loadsapixiedust]

Maybe this can be made a sticky?
Does this change in policy also apply for parking at theme parks and malls or is this only for on-street parking?

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Useful info. indeed as we have used our blue disabled badge for a few years now , free of charge.

 

[Goofyish]

It's a shame they don't open an office at the airport so if you need a parking permit you can get one when you hire your car.

 

[Revtel]

Thanks for that, Simon.

What is the position with Disney? We have always shown our Blue Badge and been waved through to the "handicapped" parking.

 

[Ali and boyz]

It's a shame they don't open an office at the airport so if you need a parking permit you can get one when you hire your car.

we get one when we hire our car but we hire the car from a mobility company

 

[leise]

It's a shame they don't open an office at the airport so if you need a parking permit you can get one when you hire your car.

Better still they could open one at WDW, maybe Downtown Disney.

Interested to hear if we need them for parking in the WDW parks or if they will still accept the UK blue badge

 

[spencem]

My wife's standard UK Blue Badge worked fine in MGM on Friday and MK yesterday, like someone said the CMs just told us to follow the blue line once they had our $10.

We're off to EPCOT in a while, so we'll check if it still works there.

We're not going to risk it on the street though after hearing about the change. We'll see what Universal and Sea World make of it later in the week.

 

[mikki.young]

All Disney parks accepted the standard one this/last month and so did Downtown Disney. Have not tried it at Universal so don't know about them.

 

[alisonbestford]

Thanks for that Simon

 

[SimonV]

We have also checked this with Disney today and their official position is as follows:

"Foreign handicap badges are not recognized by local police departments and guests run the risk of fines. However, any Disney guest can drive up to the parking tenant at our theme parks and explain to them their disability (having a medical certificate or the UK handicap badge would help) and the attendant will work to get them to a designated area closest to the ticket gates, similar to handicap parking."

So, Disney WILL allow the UK badge as proof to access their disabled parking areas (or 'handicapped' as they insist on calling them in America; for some reason they think the term 'disabled' is actually more offensive to people with disabilities), but the bottom line is you cannot use a public parking space without first getting the new temporary permit (or risk a fine). Perhaps this is something we can take up with the authorities........

 

[mikki.young]

We have also checked this with Disney today and their official position is as follows:

"Foreign handicap badges are not recognized by local police departments and guests run the risk of fines. However, any Disney guest can drive up to the parking tenant at our theme parks and explain to them their disability (having a medical certificate or the UK handicap badge would help) and the attendant will work to get them to a designated area closest to the ticket gates, similar to handicap parking."

Perhaps this is something we can take up with the authorities........

As of last month if you show your blue badge at Disney they direct you straight to the 'handicap' parking, not to something similar. Are they covering their backs somehow?

Do you think some kind of online petition would help take it up with the authorities Simon?

 

[SimonV]

I think it might be worth starting a petition, and then it's something we could take to the authorities later this year. You never know.....

Incidentally, Universal have also responded to this query, and they say their parking attendants will happily accept the blue UK badge as proof of a disabled access parking requirement.

 

[SimonV]

Another up-date. Cypress Gardens are sticking with FDoT guidelines, so you WILL need the $15 temporary Florida disabled badge to use the disabled parking there.

 

[yorkshiregirl]

Thank you Simon for clarifying the situation.
Any one got any recent experiences with applying for the permit?

 

[SueM in MN]

We have also checked this with Disney today and their official position is as follows:

"Foreign handicap badges are not recognized by local police departments and guests run the risk of fines. However, any Disney guest can drive up to the parking tenant at our theme parks and explain to them their disability (having a medical certificate or the UK handicap badge would help) and the attendant will work to get them to a designated area closest to the ticket gates, similar to handicap parking."

So, Disney WILL allow the UK badge as proof to access their disabled parking areas (or 'handicapped' as they insist on calling them in America; for some reason they think the term 'disabled' is actually more offensive to people with disabilities), but the bottom line is you cannot use a public parking space without first getting the new temporary permit (or risk a fine). Perhaps this is something we can take up with the authorities........

I don't know about the situation for UK badges, but the Disney handicapped parking area (Disney calls it 'Medical Parking') has some parking spots that have a sign that says "Handicapped Parking" and information on the sign about possibly getting a ticket and a fine if parking there without a valid handicapped parking permit. That same parking area has some spots that are not labled that way and don't have blue painted lines. If you are able to park in one of those spots, you won't risk getting a ticket.

Also, if you don't have a wheelchair or scooter (ECV) with you and are able to step up to ride the parking lot trams, WDW recommends doing that because your walk will be shorter (there are no parking lot trams for the handicapped parking lots). The parking lot CMs save some spots close to the tram stops for people with mobility issues.

 

[SimonV]

Another quick up-date. SeaWorld will also accept the UK badge as proof for disabled parking access. They also tell us their disabled-accessible spaces often get fully occupied quite early in the morning, so you need to arrive early (i.e. by park opening time) to get one.

 

[spencem]

We also used my wife's standard UK Blue Badge at Busch Gardens (where they give you one of their own that hangs from the mirror at the ticket booth) and at Kennady Space Centre last week.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

Remember that if you take your 'blue badge' to Florida, you may not be able to leave your car in a 'disabled' spot at the airport in the UK.

You wouldn't want to find a ticket on your windscreen when you get back!!

Andrew

 

[yorkshiregirl]

When we have gone via Manchester or Heathrow we have booked in advance so they had our blue badge no etc and had no problems in a disabled spot.