1. Who can get exemptionAll vehicles on the road are liable to Vehicle Excise Duty, better known as road tax. However, exemption from VED (including the £25 first Reg Fee) for one car only, is given to the cars of three groups of disabled people:
If you have an invalid tricycle, or small car issued by the Department of Health or the Scottish Executive, you are exempt from VED.
If you get the higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance you, or your appointee, or someone you choose to nominate in your place, may apply for exemption from VED. Long stay hospital patients with transitional protection can still get the exemption.
However, technically the vehicle is only exempt whilst it is being used "solely by or for the purposes of the disabled person". Neither the DSS nor the Department of Transport have defined exactly what this means. The disabled person does not necessarily have to be in the car, instead, it could be used to do their shopping or running errands: However, the use of an exempt car for purposes totally unconnected with the disabled person is technically illegal. The probability of being prosecuted is low and is only likely to occur where there is flagrant abuse of the exemption, for example where a non-disabled person uses the vehicle to drive to work. The DSS have implied that, where the car is used substantially for the purposes of the disabled person, there is nothing to worry about. But note these dangers.
Anyone receiving higher rate mobility component (or war pensioners mobility supplement) should automatically have been sent a VED exemption by the DSS.
You can then use the certificate issued by the DSS as proof of exemption when applying for a 'tax exempt disc' from the Vehicle Licensing Centre. If you are getting higher rate mobility component and have not been sent an application form, or want guidance on it, write to:-
The Disability Living Allowance Unit
Warbreck House
Warbreck Hill
Blackpool
FY2 0YE
If you are getting war pensioners mobility supplement and have not been sent an exemption form write to:-
War Pensions Agency
Norcross
Blackpool
FY5 3WP
Road tax exemption for passengers getting DLA care component or attendance allowance was abolished in 12.10.93. So long as you were exempt before this date, or applied for help before the 12.10.93. transitional arrangements mean you will continue to get help under the old scheme.
Someone getting the higher mobility component can nominate another person's vehicle to be exempt from road tax. This may also apply to a company car registered in the name of the company - the person receiving mobility component should nominate the company for exemption. In order to qualify for exemption, the vehicle should be used "by or for the purposes of" the disabled person.
>The named person who gets the exemption may be
changed at any time. For example, if you have nominated someone else for
exemption and then get your own car, the exemption can be returned to you.
Even if you have an exemption certificate from the DSS, it is within the discretion of the Vehicle Licensing Centre to refuse to grant exemption from road tax if they think that the vehicle will not be used "solely by or for the purposes of" the disabled person. They are unlikely to do this unless your intended use of the vehicle would blatantly breach this condition.
If you are refused exemption, there is no formal procedure for appealing. However, you can write, giving full details of why you think you qualify for exemption, the purposes for which the vehicle will be used, etc to :
Driver Vehicle and Licensing Agency
Vehicle Enquiry Unit
Longview Road
Swansea
SA6 7JL
Tel: 0870 240 0010
If you already have a vehicle, you should apply for your first Free Licence Disk to:-
DVLA (Sheffield)
Cedar House
Hallamshire Court
63 Napier Street
Sheffield
South Yorkshire
S11 8HA
You will need to send or take the following documents with you
The appropriate Certificate of Entitlement (i.e. DLA 404 or WPA 442) with the declaration filled in.
Either Registration Document (V5) for the vehicle, (the vehicle must be registered in the name of the disabled person or the nominee named on the certificate of entitlement. If this is not the case, you should complete the keeper changes section on the Registration Document before you produce it with your application).
OR
New Keeper Supplement (V5\2) for the vehicle showing the correct taxation class (if this is not the case you will need to complete form V62).
If you do not have a Registration Document (V5) or New Keepers Supplement (V5\2) showing the correct taxation class for the vehicle, a completed form V62 (available from the Post Office) must be sent.
Vehicle Licence Application form V10 (available from the Post Office).
Certificate of Insurance or a valid cover note (not the policy, receipt or schedule).
Valid test certificate (if the vehicle needs one).
PLEASE NOTE THAT PHOTOCOPIES ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE
If you are buying a new vehicle and it is being registered for the first time, the dealer may licence it for you. If this is the case you will need to let him have your Entitlement Certificate and Certificate of Insurance and he will make the application on your behalf.
About two weeks before your current exempt licence disk runs out, DVLA will send you a reminder form which you can use to re-licence your vehicle in the exempt class. Alternatively, if you do not receive your reminder or your details have changed you should complete form V10 (available at the Post Office). You should take or send your completed reminder form or form V10 with the appropriate supporting documents to a licence issuing POST OFFICE NOT TO DVLA.
Whilst all the information given in this fact sheet was correct at the time of going to press,
DiAL Doncaster cannot be held responsible for any subsequent changes.
Schemes to help disabled people include the Blue Badge scheme (to help with parking), road tax exemption, and help with buying or hiring motor vehicles.
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