BlueBadge
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
Joined
·
706 Posts
We was in France last year with friends who had a blue badge and they used it
http://www.theaa.com/public_affairs/reports/blue_badge_abroad.pdf
http://www.theaa.com/public_affairs/reports/blue_badge_abroad.pdf
Joined
·
9,766 Posts
The interesting part of the blue badge in France surrounds the exemption which reduces the autorute tariff for a class 2 "adapted vehicle" to be entitled to pay only a class 1 toll. Take a look here for details:
http://www.autoroutes.fr/fr/services-aux-personnes-a-mobilite-reduite.htm
The actual statement (translated by Google) is:
This of course could be of great benefit for the average disabled M/H owner.
The wording though does specify that the vehicle must be "specially adapted" similar to the rules for VAT exemption in the UK, however I do know of several instances where the display of a blue badge has resulted in a class 1 tariff being charged.
Worth placing your blue badge in the side window facing the toll booth, you never know.............
http://www.autoroutes.fr/fr/services-aux-personnes-a-mobilite-reduite.htm
The actual statement (translated by Google) is:
- In all the stations, you can ask to be served by an attendant.
- The adapted vehicles (class 2) for the transport of disabled people benefit from tariff class 1 To qualify for this downgrade.:
- Borrow a lane with publican
- In automatic stations, call support by using the intercom. - In case of breakdown or accident, if you are alone in your vehicle and if orange emergency terminal is not accessible to you, you can dial 112 on your cell phone. In this case, it is important that you can locate you as accurately as possible.
This of course could be of great benefit for the average disabled M/H owner.
The wording though does specify that the vehicle must be "specially adapted" similar to the rules for VAT exemption in the UK, however I do know of several instances where the display of a blue badge has resulted in a class 1 tariff being charged.
Worth placing your blue badge in the side window facing the toll booth, you never know.............
Joined
·
13,668 Posts
Yes, we used Viv's blue badge when travelling with the motorhome in Europe; some places were better than others, italy rather poorly served. One interesting useful tip we received was to take the blue badge to Paris on a weekend away (not in the motorhome), and we managed to jump the queues for the Louvre and Eiffel Tower by flashing the card - there was no way the Viv could have managed to wait in line for the time required in the "normal" queue.
Joined
·
19,218 Posts
We live in France and although I have a BB I have never sought out the concession that Gaspode correctly explains. The "special adaptations" mentioned has been mentioned elsewhere but I do not know of one person who has been asked to confirm such modifications.
The parking concessions used (and sadly abused) in the UK, do not apply in the same way in France as the restrictions are much less onerous - there are few yellow lines prohibiting parking EXCEPT near junctions, where the yellow kerb painting indicates a total prohibition of parking - and there are no exceptions (unless you happen to be a French driver who fails to see such things and is only going to be there for a short while - say 6 hours+).
The one time when a BB is used is that there are a large number of spaces labelled specifically for use by BB holder displaying the blue wheelchair symbol as well as initials indicating war disabilities and other disabilities. There are rarely any concessions in car parks IMO, except sometimes at airports. Generally they simply give you closer access to doors. Most shops with a car park have at least one space just outside the door - but of course these are rarely suitable for MH.......
On autoroutes, there are labelled spaces either side of entrance doors to the facilities and good facilities normally inside. On the autoroute you can also request assistance at the toll booths if needed - although IMO few of them are now manned.... so you may be working via an intercom with a French speaker determined to speak at the same rate as Usain Bolt runs i.e. to complete every conversation in less than 9.58 seconds..... and they do not always have the ability (or willingness) to speak English.
The one thing that UK citizens DON'T get is the Priority Card for use in supermarkets..... I have a special photo-id card which allows me to go straight to the front of the lane displaying the wheelchair Priorite sign - that can save a considerable amount of time as the cashiers are not allowed to ignore the request, although the shoppers waiting may be less happy - but I have never been refused or made to feel REALLY guilty...... (but I don't like using it and rarely do).
http://www.focusondisability.org.uk/reciprocal-park-europe.html
Getting such a BB is a LOT harder than in the UK (and rightly so IMO), the form (no surprise there then) has to be obtained from the Mairie, then filled in by the disabled person, then by the GP, then again by the Mairie. It then has to be sent off by the Mairie to the correct office, and the wait then begins.......
that normally lasts about 3 months, and then a letter tells you that "you have been judged not disabled enough to receive a disability pension but have been awarded a BB plus ID card, my assessment was 79% disability and I had to have 80% for the pension - which was not my reason for requesting one..... what happens next time remains to be seen.....
The cards are valid for longer than in the UK - mine has a life of 6 years c/w 3 in the UK (?).
If anyone wants any more info. please ask, but generally BB cards are welcomed throughout Europe and generally concessions are available for visitors - but they are not always identical to the UK. I can use mine in the UK, but do not need to display the timeclock as they are not part of the package in France (I actually have a UK clock and do use that to ensure that I do not overstay my welcome).
Dave
The parking concessions used (and sadly abused) in the UK, do not apply in the same way in France as the restrictions are much less onerous - there are few yellow lines prohibiting parking EXCEPT near junctions, where the yellow kerb painting indicates a total prohibition of parking - and there are no exceptions (unless you happen to be a French driver who fails to see such things and is only going to be there for a short while - say 6 hours+).
The one time when a BB is used is that there are a large number of spaces labelled specifically for use by BB holder displaying the blue wheelchair symbol as well as initials indicating war disabilities and other disabilities. There are rarely any concessions in car parks IMO, except sometimes at airports. Generally they simply give you closer access to doors. Most shops with a car park have at least one space just outside the door - but of course these are rarely suitable for MH.......
On autoroutes, there are labelled spaces either side of entrance doors to the facilities and good facilities normally inside. On the autoroute you can also request assistance at the toll booths if needed - although IMO few of them are now manned.... so you may be working via an intercom with a French speaker determined to speak at the same rate as Usain Bolt runs i.e. to complete every conversation in less than 9.58 seconds..... and they do not always have the ability (or willingness) to speak English.
The one thing that UK citizens DON'T get is the Priority Card for use in supermarkets..... I have a special photo-id card which allows me to go straight to the front of the lane displaying the wheelchair Priorite sign - that can save a considerable amount of time as the cashiers are not allowed to ignore the request, although the shoppers waiting may be less happy - but I have never been refused or made to feel REALLY guilty...... (but I don't like using it and rarely do).
http://www.focusondisability.org.uk/reciprocal-park-europe.html
Getting such a BB is a LOT harder than in the UK (and rightly so IMO), the form (no surprise there then) has to be obtained from the Mairie, then filled in by the disabled person, then by the GP, then again by the Mairie. It then has to be sent off by the Mairie to the correct office, and the wait then begins.......
that normally lasts about 3 months, and then a letter tells you that "you have been judged not disabled enough to receive a disability pension but have been awarded a BB plus ID card, my assessment was 79% disability and I had to have 80% for the pension - which was not my reason for requesting one..... what happens next time remains to be seen.....
The cards are valid for longer than in the UK - mine has a life of 6 years c/w 3 in the UK (?).
If anyone wants any more info. please ask, but generally BB cards are welcomed throughout Europe and generally concessions are available for visitors - but they are not always identical to the UK. I can use mine in the UK, but do not need to display the timeclock as they are not part of the package in France (I actually have a UK clock and do use that to ensure that I do not overstay my welcome).
Dave
Joined
·
787 Posts
We have used marked bays with a blue badge in France, Spain, Portugal, Germany and Austria. One advantage is that they are sometimes big enough for the motorhome!
We have tried the reduction from class 2 to class 1 tolls as our vehicle is fitted with hand controls therefore it is adapted but they are on the right hand side so cannot be seen from the booth. We have on very rare occasions been granted the reduction - on one of the shorter stretches of course! - so rare we have given up asking now. We were told we needed the disabled ID card to enable reduction! The info on the website does indicate that it is ANY class 2 vehicle which is adapted for the disabled which is entitled to the reduction - but so What?
If you have a disabled tax disc - or current equivalent some bridges / tunnels in the UK are free if you are in the vehicle which has that tax allowance.
As we have a motorbility car - that is the one which has that entitlement!
Seems a long drawn out answer but hope it helps someone
We have tried the reduction from class 2 to class 1 tolls as our vehicle is fitted with hand controls therefore it is adapted but they are on the right hand side so cannot be seen from the booth. We have on very rare occasions been granted the reduction - on one of the shorter stretches of course! - so rare we have given up asking now. We were told we needed the disabled ID card to enable reduction! The info on the website does indicate that it is ANY class 2 vehicle which is adapted for the disabled which is entitled to the reduction - but so What?
If you have a disabled tax disc - or current equivalent some bridges / tunnels in the UK are free if you are in the vehicle which has that tax allowance.
As we have a motorbility car - that is the one which has that entitlement!
Seems a long drawn out answer but hope it helps someone
Joined
·
1,855 Posts
We used our BB in Brienz in Switzerland last year with the MH. Saw a disabled bay in the car park where the boats go from. Pulled up in it and the lady in the ticket kiosk waved her hands to say no you cannot park there. When I put the BB on the dashboard she said, very sorry, park as long as you like and no charge. Not bad considering Switzerland is not in the EU. All over Switzerland they accept our BB.
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
