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A disabled person who wants to buy a vehicle may be able to get a discount. It is worth contacting car dealers and asking them if they operate any disabled drivers discount schemes.
Motability can sell or hire new or secondhand cars to anyone receiving the higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance or war pensioners’ mobility supplement. See the Motability webpage here
Some commercial hire companies offer discounts to disabled people when they hire a car or van. It is worth checking to see if a discount is available.
Any vehicle which is used only for a disabled person (whether they are the driver or the passenger) will be exempt from road tax. To get exemption, the disabled person must be either:-
The vehicle must be registered in the name of the disabled person or in the name of someone authorised to act on their behalf.
If you are eligible you may nominate another person's vehicle to be exempted from tax. If you use your employer's company car, you can nominate the company for exemption. To qualify for exemption the vehicle should be used substantially for the purposes of the disabled person.
If you get higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance or War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement, you will automatically be sent the exemption forms.
Contact the DVLA for details, or see their website: www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/vehlicnc.htm
The Blue badge scheme (this scheme used to be called the Orange badge scheme) allows certain groups of disabled people to park in parking restricted areas.
For example, the blue badge enables disabled people to park free of charge and without time limit at on-street parking meters.
Some London boroughs and other town centres don't operate this scheme. You should check whether the scheme operates before parking with your blue badge.
To apply for a blue badge in England and Wales, contact your local authority social services department.
In Scotland, contact the chief executive or social work department of the local authority, and in Northern Ireland, the Department for Regional Development. There is a small fee.
If you have a blue badge you may be able to get parking concessions when travelling in another country that also recognises the badge. However, each country continues to determine its own set of parking concessions for which the badge can be used.
There is further information on the Department for Transport website www.mobility-unit.dft.gov.uk.
In Northern Ireland, you can find information on the Roads Service website at: www.roadsni.gov.uk/BlueBadge/bbadge.htm.
