Title, application and commencement

1.-(1) The title of these Regulations is the Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 and they come into force on 1 October 2016.

(2) These Regulations apply in relation to Wales.

Amendment of Regulations

2.-(1) The Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (Wales) Regulations 2000(4) are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3).

(2) In regulation 4 (descriptions of disabled persons)-

(a)at the end of paragraph (2)(g) for the full stop substitute a semi-colon;

(b)after paragraph (2)(g) insert-

"(h)is unable to walk or has considerable difficulty walking by reason of a temporary but substantial disability which is expected to last for a period of at least 12 months."

(3) In regulation 6 (fee for issue and period of issue of a badge)-

(a)for paragraph (4)(c) substitute-

"(c)to a person falling within the description specified in regulation 4(2)(h), for a period of 1 year, beginning with the date of issue;";

(b)after paragraph (4)(c) insert-

"(d)to a person not falling within subparagraph (a), (b) or (c) for a period of 3 years beginning with the date of issue."

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

A disabled person's parking badge (known as a "Blue Badge") enables the holder to benefit from a range of parking concessions and exemptions from certain charges which apply to other motorists. The Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (Wales) Regulations 2000 ("the Principal Regulations") make provision regarding the issue of badges by local authorities.

These Regulations amend the Principal Regulations to provide a description of disabled persons that captures people with a temporary but substantial disability that is expected to affect their mobility for at least twelve months.

Regulation 2(2) amends regulation 4 of the Principal Regulations to insert a new description of disabled persons that includes people who are more than 2 years old and who have a temporary but substantial disability. The person must be unable to walk, or have considerable difficulty in walking because of the disability and the disability must be expected to last for at least twelve months.

Regulation 2(3) amends regulation 6 of the Principal Regulations to provide the period for which badges are to be issued to people with temporary disabilities. The period of issue is one year.

The Welsh Ministers' Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to these Regulations. As a result, a regulatory impact assessment has been prepared as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with these Regulations. A copy can be obtained from the Transport Division, Crown Buildings, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.