Frequently Asked Questions

Blue Badge misuse means using a badge in any way that does not follow the official rules set out by the Department for Transport.

Common examples of misuse include:

• Using a Blue Badge when the badge holder is not present
• Using someone else’s badge for your own convenience
• Using a badge that is expired, cancelled, or has been reported lost or stolen
• Using a badge belonging to someone who has passed away
• Leaving the badge on display while you run personal errands without the badge holder
• Using the badge in places where it does not provide exemption or where restrictions still apply
• Altering, copying, or reproducing a badge
• Allowing friends or family members to use the badge when the badge holder is not with them

Under Section 117 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, these actions are criminal offences.
Councils only offer the Awareness Course when they have clear evidence that misuse has occurred.

Blue Badge misuse has a direct and serious impact on disabled people who rely on the scheme to live independently.

Misuse matters because:

• It takes essential parking spaces away from people who genuinely need them.
Many disabled people cannot walk long distances or rely on accessible bays to attend medical appointments, work, or daily activities.

• It undermines the fairness and integrity of the scheme.
When badges are used incorrectly, it reduces public trust and creates resentment toward genuine badge holders.

• It increases enforcement costs for councils.
Investigating misuse requires officer time, evidence gathering, database checks, administration, and potential court proceedings.

• It contributes to fraudulent activity.
Misuse often involves deception, using a badge that does not belong to the driver, or intentionally avoiding restrictions.

• It is a criminal offence under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
Councils are required to protect the scheme and take action when misuse is identified.

By addressing misuse, councils can ensure that parking spaces and concessions remain available for those who depend on them.

You have been offered the Blue Badge Awareness Course because Nottingham City Council has investigated the use of a disabled person’s Blue Badge and found sufficient grounds for legal proceedings. However, on this occasion, the authority has chosen to offer this formal course instead of prosecution.

Rather than taking the matter to court, you have the opportunity to resolve the offence through education.

This course is offered when:
A badge was used when the badge holder was not present
A badge was displayed that did not belong to the driver
A badge was expired, cancelled, reported lost, or belonged to someone who had passed away
A fraudulent, fake, or altered badge was used
A driver refused to allow an inspection of a badge when requested
An investigation found enough evidence to support prosecution

The course allows the matter to be dealt with privately and avoids legal action, court fines, and a potential criminal record.

A Section 117 Warning is a formal notice issued under Section 117 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
It is used by councils when they have evidence that a Blue Badge has been misused.

A Section 117 Warning serves two purposes:
1. To notify you that an offence has taken place, supported by evidence gathered by an investigating officer.
2. To give you the opportunity to avoid prosecution by completing an educational awareness course.

It is not a criminal conviction and does not appear on your record.
However, it confirms that the Council has sufficient evidence to take the matter to court if you choose not to engage with the course.

If ignored, the case may be passed for prosecution, which can result in a criminal record, a fine of up to £1,000, and additional court costs.

The course normally takes between 1 and 2 hours to complete.
Most people finish it in a single session, but you do not have to complete it all at once.

You can:
- Pause the course at any time
- Log out and return later
- Restart a video or question if needed

Your progress is saved automatically, and you can complete the course on any device, including mobile, tablet, or computer.

The fee you have been asked to pay is not a fine. It covers the cost of the investigation carried out by Nottingham City Council into the suspected misuse of a Blue Badge.

Unlike a routine parking or speeding offence, Blue Badge investigations require significant council resources. These may include:
• reviewing photographs and evidence
• verifying the badge with the issuing authority
• taking statements
• preparing legal documentation
• assessing whether prosecution is required

The council is not permitted to use public funds (council tax) to cover the cost of these investigations. Instead, the person responsible for the misuse is asked to cover the cost directly.

If you choose not to take the course and the matter proceeds to court, the investigation cost can be added to the court fine, along with additional court fees and victim surcharges. This can make the total amount significantly higher.

Recent UK cases show the potential cost of prosecution:
• Shrewsbury case (2025): A driver was ordered to pay over £2,000 after being found guilty in court.
Source: https://www.shropshirelive.com/news/2025/10/26/man-ordered-to-pay-more-than-2000-for-blue-badge-misuse-in-shrewsbury/
• Wandsworth case: A driver misusing a stolen badge received £3,480 in fines and costs.
Source: https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/news/2023-news/news-august-2023/mercedes-driver-caught-using-90-year-old-disabled-woman-s-stolen-blue-badge/

Maximum court fine (without costs)
Courts can issue fines up to £1,000 under Blue Badge legislation, even before adding investigation costs or legal fees:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-blue-badge-scheme-rights-and-responsibilities-in-england/the-blue-badge-scheme-rights-and-responsibilities-in-england

Choosing the awareness course avoids court proceedings, avoids a criminal record, and avoids the significantly higher financial impact.

Payment for the Blue Badge Awareness Course must normally be made in full at the time of booking.
This course is offered as an alternative to prosecution; therefore, the Council requires the fee to be settled before access to the course is granted.

If you are experiencing financial difficulty, you should contact the National Blue Badge team as soon as possible.
In some cases, the Council may allow short-term arrangements or provide guidance, but instalment plans are not guaranteed and must be approved on a case-by-case basis.

If payment is not made, the alternative to prosecution may be withdrawn and the case could proceed to court.

No. The Blue Badge Awareness Course does not issue a certificate.

Once you complete the course, your completion is recorded automatically and the Council is notified directly.
There is no certificate, document, or download provided to offenders.

This approach prevents misuse of certificates and ensures the completion record is kept securely within the Council's enforcement system.

If you complete the Blue Badge Awareness Course, the Council will not prosecute you for this incident.
Your completion is recorded and the case is closed with no further action.

However, it is important to understand that:
• This course is only offered once.
• If you commit another Blue Badge offence in the future, you will not be offered the course again.
• Any further misuse will normally be sent straight to the Council’s legal team for prosecution.

Completing the course prevents prosecution for this incident, but repeat offences are treated as deliberate misuse and may result in a criminal conviction, fines, and court costs.

No. If you complete the Blue Badge Awareness Course, nothing is added to your criminal record and no conviction is created.

The course is offered as an alternative to prosecution. Once you complete it:

• The case is closed
• No criminal record is created
• Nothing appears on a DBS check
• No details are shared with employers or other organisations

However, if you choose not to take the course and the case proceeds to court, a conviction could appear on certain types of DBS checks depending on the offence and the outcome.

Completing the course ensures the matter is resolved privately and does not form part of any criminal record.

The evidence comes from an officer who may have been present at the time of the suspected offence, along with findings from the subsequent investigation.

This may include:
Photographs of your vehicle and the Blue Badge
A close-up image of the badge showing its details
A photograph of the badge holder (if required for comparison)
Written statements from the officers involved
Verification checks carried out on the badge

All evidence will be uploaded to your account so you can review it in full before starting the course.

If the case proceeds to court, the same evidence will be submitted to the Magistrates’ Court as part of the prosecution file.

The evidence comes from an officer who may have been present at the time of the suspected offence, along with findings from the subsequent investigation.

This may include:
Photographs of your vehicle and the Blue Badge
A close-up image of the badge showing its details
A photograph of the badge holder (if required for comparison)
Written statements from the officers involved
Verification checks carried out on the badge

All evidence will be uploaded to your account so you can review it in full before starting the course.

If the case proceeds to court, the same evidence will be submitted to the Magistrates’ Court as part of the prosecution file.

Yes. If you believe the evidence is incorrect or that you have been offered the course in error, you may contact the National Blue Badge team to request a review.

However, it is important to understand the following:

1. A Blue Badge Awareness Course is only offered when the Council has already gathered clear evidence of misuse and is satisfied that a prosecution could be taken to court.
2. The course is an alternative to prosecution. You are not required to accept it, but the case may proceed to court if you decline the offer.
3. The evidence collected by the authority has been uploaded to your online account so you can review it before making your decision.

If, after reviewing the evidence, you still wish to dispute the case, you can request that the matter is handled through the normal legal process. This means the case may be passed to the Council’s legal team for prosecution.

No — this course is not a scam.

This Blue Badge Awareness Course is an official alternative to prosecution offered by Nottingham City Council for Blue Badge misuse.

You can verify its legitimacy in several ways:

✔ The letter you received came directly from Nottingham City Council
✔ The website domain (nccaware.co.uk) is operated for Nottingham City Council
✔ The evidence you were shown was recorded by an authorised Civil Enforcement Officer or other Authorised officer at Nottingham City Council
✔ The council holds the legal authority to offer this course as an alternative to court action
✔ Choosing not to complete the course may result in prosecution for fraud under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

If you are still unsure, you can confirm directly with the council via their official website:

www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk

This course exists to give people a final opportunity to avoid court, fines, and a permanent criminal record.

Not if you complete the Awareness Course.

### ✅ If you complete the course:
- The case is **closed**.
- No prosecution.
- No conviction.
- **No criminal record.**

This is the entire purpose of offering the course — to allow you to resolve the matter **without** going through court.

---

### ❗ If you refuse the course or ignore the letter:
Your case may proceed to court.

If the court decides you misused a Blue Badge, you can receive a **criminal conviction**, usually recorded under fraud-related offences.

This can affect:
- Employment checks (DBS)
- Visa or travel applications
- Future council or government applications
- Insurance policies
- Professional licences depending on occupation

Court fines also often include:
- A standard fine (up to £1,000)
- Investigation costs
- Prosecution costs
- A victim surcharge

Example convictions:
- **£2,000+** total (Shrewsbury case)
- **£3,480** total (Wandsworth case)

Completing the course avoids **all** of this.

If you disagree with the evidence or believe the allegation is incorrect, you are entitled to challenge it — but this must be done through the legal process, not through this website.

The Awareness Course is a voluntary alternative offered to help you avoid prosecution.
It is not an admission of guilt.

If you wish to challenge the allegation:

1. **Do NOT complete the course.**
2. **Contact the issuing council immediately** to tell them you want to contest the case.
3. The matter will proceed toward a Magistrates’ Court hearing where you can present your case.

Please be aware:

• Councils only offer the course when they believe the evidence is strong.
• If the court finds you guilty, you may receive:
– a fine of up to £1,000 (set by the court)
– additional prosecution costs
– the council’s investigation costs
– a criminal record for fraud-related offences
• Courts in the UK have a very high conviction rate for Blue Badge misuse.

You can review all evidence on your dashboard before making your decision.

If you choose to ignore the letter, email or instructions you have been given, the matter will not go away.

The Awareness Course is offered as a one-time opportunity to resolve the case without prosecution.

If you take no action:
1. **The case will continue toward prosecution** under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and the Fraud Act 2006.
2. You will be required to attend a Magistrates’ Court hearing.
3. If found guilty, the court may issue:
• a fine of up to £1,000 (set by the court),
• investigation costs,
• prosecution costs,
• and a victim surcharge.

In recent UK cases, total penalties have commonly reached **£2,000–£3,500**.

You can review the evidence against you inside your account. If you choose not to complete the course, the case simply continues toward a criminal prosecution.

If you complete the Blue Badge Awareness Course, **no criminal record is created** and the matter is closed with no prosecution.
It is treated as an educational disposal offered by the council to avoid a criminal outcome.

However, if you choose not to take the course and the case proceeds to court, then:

- A successful prosecution is recorded as a **criminal offence** (Fraud Act 2006 / Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984).
- This can appear on **enhanced DBS checks**, depending on the circumstances.
- Your name may also appear in public court listings and in media reporting.

Recent cases in the UK show that councils routinely publish conviction details online or in local newspapers.

Choosing the course prevents all of this and resolves the matter privately.

You do **not** have to pay immediately — but you do need to make a decision.

### ✅ Your Options:

**1. Complete the Awareness Course**
This settles the matter without prosecution.
No criminal record, no court appearance, no additional costs.

**2. Do nothing / decline the course**
Your case will normally proceed to legal review.
If the council prosecutes, you may:
- Receive a **criminal conviction**,
- Be ordered to pay **court fines**,
- Be ordered to pay the **full investigation costs**,
- Still have to complete the course *as part of the court outcome*.

### ❗ Important to understand
Blue Badge misuse is handled differently from parking fines and speeding tickets.
The council has already carried out a **full fraud investigation**, reviewed evidence, and assessed the badge status.
For this reason, the “appeal” route is handled **through the court**, not the council.

If you believe the badge was used legally, you can **choose to let the case go to court**, but you should be aware that conviction rates in the UK are extremely high (95–100%) and court fines are significantly higher.

The course is provided as a way to avoid this outcome.

No — you only pay **one single fee**.

The amount you pay **covers everything**, including:
- The investigation carried out by Nottingham City Council
- The review of evidence
- The cost of offering the Awareness Course
- Administration and processing

There are **no additional hidden charges**.

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### ❗ Why is it one combined fee?

Blue Badge misuse is not like:
- a simple parking ticket
- a speeding fine
- a fixed penalty

It requires a detailed **fraud investigation**, including:
- Taking photographs
- Collecting statements
- Verifying badge owner details
- Checking badge validity
- Officer time
- Internal review and case preparation

These costs are legally recoverable.

By completing the course and paying the combined fee:
- The case is **closed**
- No prosecution
- No criminal record
- No extra costs

---

### ❗ If you refuse the course
The council may escalate the matter to court.

A magistrate can order:
- The investigative costs
- Prosecution costs
- A victim surcharge
- And up to **£1,000 fine**

Which is why some Blue Badge cases have reached **£2,000–£3,500+** in real court outcomes.

By choosing the course, you avoid all of these.

The Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) was issued for the parking contravention which occurred when the badge was displayed. However, this course and the associated fees relate specifically to the misuse of a Blue Badge, which is a separate criminal matter.

If you cannot log in, it is usually for one of the following reasons:

1. The email address does not match the one used when you created your account.
Please make sure you are entering the exact same email address.

2. The password is incorrect.
You can reset it at any time using the "Forgot Password" link on the login page.

3. You have not completed the account setup email verification.
Check your inbox and spam folder for the verification email sent from nccaware.co.uk.

4. Your account was created but not fully activated.
If you exited the process before setting a password, you will need to restart using the "Create an Account" link.

If you still cannot access your account after checking the above, please contact the National Blue Badge support team for assistance.

If the course videos are not loading or will not play, it is usually caused by one of the following:

1. Internet connection issues.
A slow or unstable connection may prevent the videos from loading. Try refreshing the page or switching to a stronger connection.

2. Browser compatibility.
The course works best on modern browsers such as Chrome, Edge, Safari, or Firefox.
Older browsers may block video playback.

3. Browser settings blocking content.
Some privacy settings, ad-blockers, or tracking blockers can stop videos from loading.
Try disabling extensions temporarily or using a private/incognito window.

4. Device restrictions.
Some work phones or corporate devices block streaming content.
If possible, try using a personal phone, tablet, or computer instead.

5. Cookies or cache needing to be cleared.
Clearing your browser cache and reloading the page often resolves video loading issues.

If none of the above helps, please contact the National Blue Badge support team for assistance and include details about your device and browser.

All course videos include subtitles to help make the content accessible to every user.

Currently, the course provides English subtitles by default, along with additional subtitle options supplied by the council.

If you require subtitles in another language, please contact the National Blue Badge team.
New subtitle languages can be added on request, and we will do our best to support your needs.

If subtitles are not appearing correctly, please check:
• Your browser settings allow captions
• You are using a modern browser
• You have selected the correct language from the video subtitle menu

If you still have issues, please contact support for assistance.