The Blue Badge Scheme

If you do not already have one and you are less mobile than you were, you may qualify for a ‘Blue Badge’ administered by Local Authorities. It entitles people with ‘severe mobility problems’ to parking concessions. These may apply to on-street parking and might include free use of parking meters and some pay-and-display bays. Some areas might also offer exemption from toll charges.

• Blue Badge
• Blue Badge Scotland
• Your Local Council Blue Badge Information

Driving Mobility – Phone 0800 559 3636 – centres across the UK offering practical and independent advice to disabled drivers. They will assess your ability to drive as well as provide you with advice about suitable vehicles and any adaptations that may be needed.

Motability – assessments if you get the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), or the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA). More information in the tab below.

RDAC (Regional Driving Assessment Centre) – centres throughout England offering driving assessments and advice on vehicle adaptations and high technology solutions.

RiDC (Research Institute for Disabled Consumers) – Phone: 0207 427 2460 – information for older drivers including some of the technology available in many models of cars

Disability Action Northern Ireland – assessments and help set up appointments with Motability.

There are a lot of things to think about including:

• whether to have a new or second-hand vehicle
• what sort of vehicle will best suit your needs
• your budget.

If you want to buy a vehicle privately and are considering a new car, you won’t have to pay VAT if it is designed and sold specifically for disabled people. So, make sure the price reflects this.

Another option is to lease a WAV through the Motability Scheme.

RiDC (Research Institute for Disabled Consumers) – guide to purchasing a WAV:

Driving Mobility – information and advice about accessible vehicles for disabled people.

Equipment Exhibitions, Sports and Other Events – the list includes ones that showcase accessible vehicles

This enables disabled people to use their mobility allowance to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair.

If you receive the enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) (previously the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)), you may be eligible to join the Motability Scheme. It includes:

• A new car, scooter or powered wheelchair every three years; five years for a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV)
• Insurance from Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance plc (RSA)
• Breakdown assistance
• Servicing, maintenance and repairs
• Adaptations, many at no extra cost.

Deposits and down payments apply depending on your circumstances. It’s important that you read the information on their website carefully or phone them to talk about what might be possible for you.

When you use their application form to apply, you will need to explain why it is so important that you drive.  Making it possible for you to travel independently should be enough reason, but add any other reasons. This might include lack of accessible transport where you live, travelling to college or work etc.

If you are eligible and decide to use Motability, the next steps are:

• Choosing a vehicle. Therehere is a lot to think about, including:
  • the cost of the vehicle,
  • if it will be the right one for you
  • its fuel consumption as you will definitely have to cover this cost. Motability can provide information to help you with this.
• Searching for dealers. There are nearly 5,000 dealerships across the UK offer Motability. You can talk to a Motability specialist at any of them and test drives can be arranged.
• Ordering a vehicle. This can be done online.

Motability lease you a vehicle for up to 5 years, so you would need to try and think ahead about what you may need to be drive the same vehicle for that length of time. Your OT is the best person to advise you. Motability also need to make sure that you would be happy and confident with the controls before they are installed.

Motability – Phone 0300 456 4566

Under the Equalities Act, insurers are not allowed to refuse disabled drivers insurance or charge extra because of their disability without justifying evidence. Premiums must be based on a reasonable assessment of risk. Individuals may have to pay more to cover any extra cost of repairing an adapted vehicle.

Mobility Centres and disabled drivers organisations have lists of specialist insurance companies.

You can apply for free road tax if you receive:

• Disability Living Allowance (DLA) mobility component at the higher rate, o
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) mobility component at the enhanced rate

If a vehicle is hired through a Motability Scheme, they will arrange to tax the vehicle each year.

Gov.UK / Financial Help Disabled / Vehicles & Transport

The Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RiDC) covers a lot of motoring related topics on its website.

Disabled Motoring UK – a charity supporting disabled drivers to improve parking, refuelling and access provision.