Police and parking officers will get new powers to inspect blue badges under plans to prevent abuse of parking spaces for disabled people.
There are currently more than 2m blue badges in the UK, issued to people with severely limited mobility. Vehicles displaying the badges can park in designated bays and are exempt from certain parking restrictions.
In an amendment to the Traffic Management Bill, police and parking enforcement officers would be able to inspect blue badges to cut down on illegal use and make sure that parking spaces are available to those who need them most. People who misuse the badge could face a £1,000 fine.
Transport Minister Tony McNulty said: "Abuse of the scheme by those who are not entitled to its concessions undermines its credibility, and has an immediate impact on the mobility of disabled people who are unable to make use of parking spaces which are being used illegally."
The new powers would enable police and parking enforcement officers to require that a blue badge is produced for inspection by anyone in the vehicle or anyone who appears to have been using it, or about to use it.
