Blue badge holders traveling to France
. My wife is the holder of a blue badge in the UK. As her driver/carer has anyone got any useful tips for using a blue badge in France. We are going for the whole of September. I have printed off the form supplied by the FIA, and the information supplied
by them suggests to check locally as different rules apply in different regions for parking. Any information and experience as a disabled person who has recently travelled to France whether it be parking or anything else, would be most welcome. Thank you Jonny.
Comments
-
Travelling through and in France for a blue badge holder is not difficult. I was not aware there are regional differences and I have been going through France for over 20years. You will find blue badge parking spots and many of the motorway aires have disabled toilet facilities. There may well be regional differences on how long or how much you pay for parking but I have not noticed these as we have rarely used them, especially over the last 15 years of using a motorhome there. Generally life has got easier for the disabled on the Continent over the years and I don't think you have anything to worry about that you would not have to worry about in this country. You still do have to pay tolls, I have not come across any concession at all on the Autoroutes or any other tolls. Good campsites have disabled facilities but they do vary in quality.
peedee
0 -
You still do have to pay tolls, I have not come across any concession at all on the Autoroutes or any other tolls. Good campsites have disabled facilities but they do vary in quality.
peedee
Write your comments here...out of interest why should a disabled person get any reduction in tolls or any other fee such as parking?
0 -
You still do have to pay tolls, I have not come across any concession at all on the Autoroutes or any other tolls. Good campsites have disabled facilities but they do vary in quality.
peedee
Write your comments here...out of interest why should a disabled person get any reduction in tolls or any other fee such as parking?
In the UK on some car parks I have I have come across a fee for up to 2 hours but if a disabled badge is shown then that is increased to three. There was a car park not far from home that had first 30 mins free you just took a ticket and displayed for a
quick shop. For disabled this was an hour to allow for a slower pace presumably. Seemed reasonable to me0 -
You still do have to pay tolls, I have not come across any concession at all on the Autoroutes or any other tolls. Good campsites have disabled facilities but they do vary in quality.
peedee
Write your comments here...out of interest why should a disabled person get any reduction in tolls or any other fee such as parking?
In the UK on some car parks I have I have come across a fee for up to 2 hours but if a disabled badge is shown then that is increased to three. There was a car park not far from home that had first 30 mins free you just took a ticket and displayed for a
quick shop. For disabled this was an hour to allow for a slower pace presumably. Seemed reasonable to meWrite your comments here...unless of course you are Oscar Pistorious!!
0 -
You still do have to pay tolls, I have not come across any concession at all on the Autoroutes or any other tolls. Good campsites have disabled facilities but they do vary in quality.
peedee
Write your comments here...out of interest why should a disabled person get any reduction in tolls or any other fee such as parking?
In the UK on some car parks I have I have come across a fee for up to 2 hours but if a disabled badge is shown then that is increased to three. There was a car park not far from home that had first 30 mins free you just took a ticket and displayed for a
quick shop. For disabled this was an hour to allow for a slower pace presumably. Seemed reasonable to meWrite your comments here...unless of course you are Oscar Pistorious!!
Write your comments here...with or without
0 -
You still do have to pay tolls, I have not come across any concession at all on the Autoroutes or any other tolls. Good campsites have disabled facilities but they do vary in quality.
peedee
Write your comments here...out of interest why should a disabled person get any reduction in tolls or any other fee such as parking?
I have no idea MichaelT, ask the operators of those that do give concession like the M6 toll. I was just pointing out the difference between that expect in the UK and France.
peedee
0 -
You still do have to pay tolls, I have not come across any concession at all on the Autoroutes or any other tolls. Good campsites have disabled facilities but they do vary in quality.
peedee
Write your comments here...out of interest why should a disabled person get any reduction in tolls or any other fee such as parking?
I have no idea MichaelT, ask the operators of those that do give concession like the M6 toll. I was just pointing out the difference between that expect in the UK and France.
peedee
Write your comments here...I did not know that thanks, I wonder why
0 -
I have a Blue Badge and I definitely wouldn't expect to be treated any differently on the french toll roads. Next time we go though we will get a TAG. I had problems getting out of the car to reach the booth.
In most towns you can use your badge as you do over here in disabled parking spaces. In Bayeux we had no problems.
I didn't know the M6 Toll gave concessions. Why?
0 -
The M6 toll gives a discount to any CC member producing their card - if going through an auto booth you push the help button first before handing over the money. (I didn't realise that and paid full whack as there were no manned booths to choose.)
0 -
Disabled facilities on sites abroad are very rarely like the ones on Club sites.
Generally you will find a designated disabled shower cubicle in both the ladies and the gents, but not a "unisex" type one, unless the site has unisex facilities. So not good if the disabled person requires assistance when showering.
The cubicle will be larger than normal, but sometimes does not have a toilet in it. It is also very common that the shower head is fixed high up on the wall. Quite why anyone would think that suitable for a disabled person is beyond me.
The cubicles are often locked, so you may have to request a key.
We find it much easier for my OH just to use our own facilities.
0 -
The M6 toll gives a discount to any CC member producing their card - if going through an auto booth you push the help button first before handing over the money. (I didn't realise that and paid full whack as there were no manned booths to choose.)
Just to clarify, I think this is just while you are towing, or in a motorhome Pippah. I don't think there is a reduction for CC members if you are just in the car.
David
0 -
Correct David.
0 -
The M6 toll gives a discount to any CC member producing their card - if going through an auto booth you push the help button first before handing over the money. (I didn't realise that and paid full whack as there were no manned booths to choose.)
Just to clarify, I think this is just while you are towing, or in a motorhome Pippah. I don't think there is a reduction for CC members if you are just in the car.
David
I didn't know that. Just as well I was towing then when I reluctantly used the toll when on my way home from S-in-L in Tamworth
0 -
If you have Blue Badge Parking is there for you in France and the Bays are in Blue like the op said. As for not wanting any reduction on the tolls , well i say if there is any discount i am all for it . Disabled or Not.
0 -
1. The M6 Toll road is free for disabled drivers but not for Blue Badge holders.
2. French motorways charge only class one for disabled drivers of caravans/motorhomes but not for BB holders.
3. In Europe there are only a few disabled parking spaces, but you will always find a free one, in the UK there are loads and loads and they are all full!!!
0 -
I am a Blue badge Holder, and I expect to pay the full price for my parking! The blue badge allows me to park closer to the area of interest, - I expect nothing more. Why should the fact that I have difficulty in walking too far entitle me to park for free?
Sensibly more and more authorities are now charging for BB parking but many do allow a longer period because of the reduced speed of movement.
Europe has much the same attitude to BB's.
TF
0 -
1. The M6 Toll road is free for disabled drivers but not for Blue Badge holders.
Not entirely true. You have to register the vehicle for which there is/was a charge. Only vehicles which are registered with the DVLA as exempt from VED due to a disablity can be registered.
I don't know if similar rules apply in other countries because we never take a VED exempt vehicle on holiday.
peedee
0 -
Sensibly more and more authorities are now charging for BB parking but many do allow a longer period because of the reduced speed of movement.
TF
True TF and I don't have a problem with this but all it does is drive many BB holders to park on yellow lines which they can do free of charge for a limited period providing if it does not cause an obstruction, but I am sure you know that.
peedee
0 -
peedee, Actually I had forgotten that, as personally I would never do it. I think it is an abuse of the privelidge, unless the holder is severely disabled and that is a different matter.
I only ever make use of mine in car parks, supermarkets and malls etc.
TF
0 -
Thank you guys for your contributions. Quite what the M6 toll has to do with France is anyone's guess. Tangents perhaps? I was not so much concerned with concessions, as l was understanding the French written language at parking bays for the disabled, in
towns etc, but obviously this has not been a problem for anyone, or has it? The FIA information was some what limited and it seems to me in my old age, experience from those who have travelled over the years is more helpful than anything else, ie useful tips,
that have helped you. Many thanks , Jonny0 -
The parking bays for disabled people are well signposted, usually, often with a painted wheelchair on the ground, and this might help: Parking for people with a disability. You could use google translate to read it in English. There are generally more disabled parking bays than you would find in England. Wheelchair access in some towns may not be as easy though as pavements in France are notoriously difficult, often narrow, with missing paving stones, and lethal obstructions - so do take care. Campsites generally make good provision for disabled people but access to toilets in cafes and restaurants may not always be easy. Check it out for yourself before deciding on where to buy a drink or have a meal.
Parking in smaller towns in France is often free, even beachside parking, too, so another advantage.
Whereabouts are you heading? Someone may know of particular issues which might help you.
0 -
Thank you guys for your contributions. Quite what the M6 toll has to do with France is anyone's guess. Tangents perhaps?
In theory, there is a European agreement that blue badge holders are treated equally across the EEC. For conformity, that was one of the reason why the colour of the badge changed from orange to blue. As I pointed out if you have a VED exempt vehicle due
to a disability you can claim reliefs from bridge and motorway tolls and congestion charges in the UK. In theory the same should apply in other EEC countries. However I think those with VED exempt vehicles going on holiday on continental Europe will find that
because the entities charging tolls are privately run, they are a law unto themselves.peedee
0 -
I forgot a point about locked toilets for the disabled. Again I believe there is an agreement on a common key and you can buy a Euro key, but it is far from useful because many of the locked toilets do not conform. Usually there is a notice where you can borrow a key, sometimes from a tourist or campsite office or even from a nearby shop/cafe. Its an evolving picture but certainly the availability of accessible toilets has improved greatly over the years.
peedee
0 -
In Palais sur mer, near Royan, a half of the car park is marked in blue. There are no signs indicating it is for driver's with diabilities. I asked a warden and she said I should park up, and then go to the nearby Tabac (newsagent). I went in and said I
wanted to park and was charged 2 Euros and was given a disability card complete with time of arrival setting. I bought it and then went back. I stayed in the bay for an hour (having paid the 2 Euros when the main car park was free), and then did not use it
again. It did amaze me I could buy a permit over the counter.0 -
In Palais sur mer, near Royan, a half of the car park is marked in blue. There are no signs indicating it is for driver's with diabilities. I asked a warden and she said I should park up, and then go to the nearby Tabac (newsagent). I went in and said I
wanted to park and was charged 2 Euros and was given a disability card complete with time of arrival setting. I bought it and then went back. I stayed in the bay for an hour (having paid the 2 Euros when the main car park was free), and then did not use it
again. It did amaze me I could buy a permit over the counter.Those 'blue' areas are not for people with disability, nor is the disc the same as a 'Blue badge' (though confusingly they are also blue)! The disc you bought was the same one we have in Harrogate, (see images
here) which entitles 'residents or visitors' to limited hours of parking in bays designated for ''disc parking'. The numbers of hours varies - in inner Harrogate it might be just an hour, in the further out streets perhaps up to three or even four hours.
You just pay the one-off fee for the disc and then no more for parking. A British disc can be used in France in disc parking areas which have similar signs and restrictions.0 -
Hi Guys, we had a brill time in France and not only was I impressed with the help I got from the French when I asked whether the disabled spaces were free, but was often directed to parking areas that were free for all, by very kind and helpful French people.
But I have to say that the French seem to take a very different attitude to those people who are able bodied and choose to park in disabled spaces. The signs show a truck towing them away, and a note underneath which roughly translated states:- You take my
space then take my disability. Bravo to the French Authorities, perhaps our Councils should take note and for that matter our Supermafkets also.0 -
There is thread on another forum which points out that BB holders are exempt from charges levied on the French Aires but only where charges are collected by an attendant. I certainly was not aware of this but we usually do not display a BB in the motorhome
although we have had charges waived in attendant manned car parks when the disability has been observed and I have come across at least one Stellplatz with marked disable bays. That was free to all anyway.peedee
0
