Whether you are leaving your car at the Heathrow airport on a long term basis while you’re on a business trip, or just parking for an hour while you drop off a friend for her flight, it’s important to know the rules for disabled parking at Heathrow Airport. Both short and long term parking options exist, all of which have spaces designed to accommodate those visitors who are disabled and carry a blue badge.

Use your Blue Badge with Disable Parking at Heathrow Airport

First things first — you must always display your blue badge on your vehicle when you park in a disabled spot at Heathrow airport, unless you plan on taking the badge abroad and alert the car park operator of such plans. The badge should be placed on your windshield so that the logo on the front side faces outwards and can easily be seen and verified by a parking official. Per England law, if a police officer asks to inspect your blue badge, you must hand it over for review. Since you are not parking on a double yellow line, or in a time restricted area, you don’t need to worry about using your parking clock when leaving your car at Heathrow.

The United Kingdom has an arrangement with many nations in the European Union regarding disabled parking, so you may be able to use your blue badge in another country. If you are traveling to another city in which the blue badge is recognized and you want to take the placard with you, make sure that you show your blue badge to the car park operator at Heathrow before you head into the terminal. This way, the car park will be able to document that you are entitled to one of the disabled spots, even though your blue badge is not on display. You can get in contact with the car park operator via a green telephone at a help point, or by pressing the help button when you enter the car park.

If you’re used to parking on single or double yellow lines with your blue badge, keep in mind that no cars can be parked on the road ways within the Heathrow airport — even with a blue badge. Cars that are parked illegally on the road will be towed at the owner’s expense and you’ll have to pay to get the vehicle back. Only park in designated disable car parks at Heathrow Airport.

Short Stay Disable Parking at Heathrow Airport

Short stay car parks are a good option when you’ll only be at Heathrow for a few hours. Parking spots for cars with a blue badge are available at all short stay parks, conveniently located near the terminal access routes to reduce the amount of travel needed from your car to the inside of the airport. If you need special assistance from a short stay car park to the airport terminal, just look for a green telephone at one of the help points. The help points are strategically placed near the disabled spots, making them easy to find and use. Free assistance like a wheelchair push and baggage transport is available to anyone parked in a disabled parking space at Heathrow.

Disabled parking spots at Heathrow airport are also located in the business and long term car parks located near Heathrow. Unlike in short term parking, however, you won’t find routes that lead you directly to the airport terminal. These car parks are near buses and administration offices, farther from the airport terminals. If you are parking long term, you cannot rely on help points to afford quick and easy communication for assistance like you can in short term parking. Rather, you should call your car park in advance and request any necessary help in getting to your departure terminal at Heathrow.