There's a lot of misinformation in this thread saying you can use your UK badge in Florida but that is not the case!
The current situation is that while SOME states do accept the UK Blue Badge, Florida is NOT one of them. In order to use disabled parking in Florida you MUST apply for a temporary disabled parking permit or risk a maximum fine. You can apply for this permit in person at the local tax office in Florida, or you can apply ahead of time and they will mail it to you. The process is very straightforward (I will include a copy of their email below with the current information). All I did was copy and email the appropriate documentation (minus payment information). Once they received it they sent an email to confirm that included a phone number to call with my credit card info. The next day I got a confirmation email that it had all gone through and which included helpful links, and a week later my permit arrived, so I can start my trip being able to use it.
I hope this information is helpful. I was so relieved to find out I didn't have to waste time going in person, though it's my understanding it's fairly quick and you do leave with your permit in hand.
Here is the email I received from them when I first contacted them with all the information you need.
"Hello
Please be advised that all correspondence should be directed to
TaxCollectorTPL@osceola.org. We look forward to assisting you in obtaining a temporary parking permit. If you are unable to reach us or do not receive a response within 24 hours, please email
webinfo@osceola.org or call our Main Office at
(407) 742-4000.
You may apply for a temporary disabled parking permit through our office if you will be visiting our state from another country. To receive the disabled parking permit by mail before your trip, please provide the following
for the disabled individual:
·A copy of your valid parking placard/badge (front and back)
·A copy of your valid passport including the picture and biography page (not the visa)
·Your out of country mailing address including any postal code if applicable
·The temporary address you will use while staying in Florida (If available. If not, we can still process without it)
·The date of your arrival and departure
- $15.00 in US Funds -- Money order, check, or debit/credit card (American Express, Discover, VISA or MasterCard) is acceptable. There is a 2.5 % service fee if using credit or debit card. (If you wish to mail a check or money order, please make payable to Patsy Heffner, CFC. Checks drawn on foreign banks need to have imprinted on check that they are payable in US FUNDS or they are not acceptable)
:** Please apply no sooner than five to six weeks before the travel date to ensure the placard will remain valid for the duration of the stay.***
Please do not email your credit card details as email correspondence is public record.
The above information may be mailed to:
Patsy Heffner Tax Collector
1300 9th St. – Suite 101B
St. Cloud, FL 34769
If you prefer, you may e-mail
TaxCollectorTPL@osceola.org with the documents as scanned attachments. Otherwise, you may fax the information to at
407-892-8076. Please include an email address if you fax or post the documents/request so that we can send a confirmation when processed. We will email a confirmation that all documents have been received and are acceptable. Once you receive the confirmation email, you will need to contact our office to have your payment processed over the telephone .
We are unable to accept payment information more than 45 days in advance.
*If you prefer you may visit our office as a walk-in customer to process you Disabled Permit."