Gatwick Airport now hits you with a £7 drop-off charge at both the North and South terminals. It’s automatic via ANPR cameras – no dodging it unless you know the exemptions.
If you’re a Blue Badge holder, here’s how to avoid Gatwick drop off charge entirely and legally.
Gatwick drop off charge hack explained
Blue Badge holders get a full exemption from the pay Gatwick Airport drop off charge rule. No fee, no hassle. But it’s not automatic – you must apply in advance through NCP, who manage the system.
The ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) tech scans every vehicle. Without pre-approval, you’ll get stung £7. But as a Blue Badge holder you can supply your reg details upfront, and you’re clear.
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Step-by-step: Secure your exemption
Follow this exact process to avoid Gatwick drop off charge:
- Create an NCP account: Head to https://gatwick-app.zatpermit.com/app/create-account/ and sign up. Takes two minutes.
- Upload Blue Badge proof: Snap clear photos of the front and back of your Blue Badge. Submit them via the account portal.
- Apply for exemption: Go to https://gatwick-app.zatpermit.com/applicant#. Enter your arrival date, time, and car registration. Lock it in.
- Get confirmation: NCP emails approval. You’ll have a strict two-hour window to arrive—don’t miss it.
That’s it. Drive up, drop off, vanish into the terminal fee-free.
Don’t forget to book your slot for the return trip
Pay Gatwick Airport drop off charge? No thanks.
This Gatwick drop off charge Blue Badge loophole is legit – straight from official channels. No risks, just a little bit of paperwork. Journey into Gatwick without bleeding cash.
Pay Gatwick Airport drop off charge FAQs
No, but they are supposed to be in the vehicle during drop-off / collection. So a Blue Badge holder can give you a lift to Gatwick Airport.
No, but again, they are supposed to be in the vehicle during drop off / location. This means you can use the Blue Badge exemption to avoid drop off charges when using an off-site meet-and-greet service.
Yes. Just tell them you want to meet at the drop-off point instead of the short stay car park.
So long as you have an NCP account, you can book a slot immediately. On our most recent visit, we returned to Gatwick Airport hours earlier than expected. We were able to book an immediate slot while the parking company was on their way to meet us at the drop off point.
No, you must book your slot in advance. You may be able to successfully appeal a penalty charge notice, but you will need to have an NCP account setup before your visit.
No, you can use any car. Just make sure to add the correct registration number to your NCP account when booking a slot.
No. Make of that what you will.
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