Door to Door: a travel guide for disabled people

Going by road: Help with costs

Going by bus

For information about concessionary bus travel see the section Before you travel: Help with costs - going by bus.

Going by coach

For information about concessionary fares available when travelling by coach see the section Before you travel: Help with costs - going by coach.

Buying or leasing a car - the Motability schemes

For many disabled people the Motability Scheme is the preferred way of obtaining a car, powered wheelchair or scooter. The Scheme is directed and overseen by Motability (www.motability.co.uk), a national charity, which also raises funds and provides financial assistance to customers who would otherwise be unable to afford the mobility solution they need.

The Scheme is open to anyone who receives either the Higher Rate Component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or War Pensioners Mobility Supplement and has at least 12 months' award length remaining when they apply. Non-drivers can nominate up to two people as drivers and parents and carers can also apply on behalf of a child.

By far the most popular option is the contract hire of a new car. Customers simply exchange their allowance for a brand new car (choose from of over 3,000 models from all the major manufacturers), including insurance, servicing, and breakdown cover. Many customers simply transfer their allowance to Motability, for the period of the agreement. However, on larger or more expensive models an additional payment may be required.

There is also a contact hire scheme for powered wheelchairs and scooters, or a hire purchase alternative for both cars and powered wheelchairs or scooters.

More information about the Motability Scheme can be found at: www.motability.co.uk.

Taxation

Value Added Tax (VAT)
You can get relief from VAT on the cost of a new car, and on the cost of repairs, if certain conditions are met. To qualify for zero rate of VAT on a newly purchased vehicle, the vehicle must be supplied to a disabled person who normally uses a wheelchair or stretcher for his or her own personal or domestic use only. It must be adapted to suit the particular needs of the disabled user and seat no more than 12 people. Full details are available in VAT Information Sheet 07/01 June 2001 from HM Customs and Excise.

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED)
If you receive the Higher Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or War Pensioners Mobility Supplement, you can apply for exemption from Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax). This can either be for a vehicle you drive yourself or have driven for you but the vehicle must be registered in the name of the person with the disability or a nominee and must only be used by or for the purposes of the disabled person named. The exemption certificate V188 can be obtained from the Benefits Agency.

More information about VED can be found on the Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) website at: www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/.

Parking - Blue Badge Scheme

The Blue Badge Scheme is an arrangement which gives a range of parking concessions to disabled motorists throughout the European Union.

More information about the Blue Badge Scheme can be found at: www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/access/bluebadge/ from where three leaflets can be downloaded: 'Can I Get A Blue Badge?', 'The Blue Badge Scheme: Rights and Responsibilities in England' and 'Information on using your Blue Badge in the European Union'.

You can also find out more information about the Blue Badge Scheme and whether you are eligible, or to get an application form, by contacting the local authority where you live - www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/Localcouncils/index.htm.

The concessions only apply to on-street parking regulations, although if you have a Blue Badge, you may be able to get other discounts, for example on some toll bridges.

Remember:

the scheme is designed to help disabled motorists overcome barriers to mobility - it is not a right, and use of the Blue Badge does not permit a disabled driver to park in such a way as to cause an obstruction or a danger to other road users.
special arrangements apply in central London, on London's 'Red Routes' and in some other town centres.

Toll concessions on motorways, tunnels and toll bridges

Disabled people using the following toll bridges, tunnels and motorways should be entitled to concessions provided they meet certain conditions set by the owners or operators outlined below.

In some cases to qualify for the concession you will need to apply to the relevant bridge, tunnel or local authority in advance. So it is a good idea to check with owners or operators first and contact details are included where applicable.

Please note that not all toll crossings offer concessions to Blue Badge holder and possession of a badge does not automatically entitle you to concessions at some crossings.

The toll crossings listed below are the main ones located on motorways or A roads. There are others on minor roads, which may or may not offer concessions.

Cleddau Bridge (A477 Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire)
Concessions are available to people who receive the Higher Rate Mobility component of Disability Living Allowance and are exempt from the payment of Vehicle Excise Duty (Road tax). Application forms can be obtained from:

The Bridge Supervisor
Cleddau Toll Bridge
Pembroke Dock
Pembrokeshire, SA72 6ED
Tel: 01646 683517
www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/content.asp?nav=&id=5630

Clifton Suspension Bridge (B3124: West of Bristol)
If you receive the higher rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance you can get an annual ticket (priced £10.00) from:

The Bridge Master
Clifton Suspension Bridge
Leigh Woods
Bristol
BS8 3PA
Tel: 0117 973 8008 (for Crossing Cards)
0117 973 1579 (administration)
E-mail: bridgemaster@clifton-suspension-bridge.org.uk
www.cliftonbridge.org.uk

Dartford Tunnel and Dartford Bridge (River Thames)
If you are exempt from the payment of Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax), you can get an exemption from tolls by registering your vehicle in advance.

Tel: 01322 280200
E-mail: exemptions@lecrossing.co.uk
www.dart-tag.co.uk/nossl/index.php?page=exemptscheme

Dunham Bridge (A57: Lincoln - Worksop)
Concessions available only to those driving motor vehicles supplied by a Government Health Department (formerly known as three-wheeled trikes).

Tel: 01777 228222
www.dunhambridge.co.uk

Erskine Bridge (Near Glasgow)
Now toll free to all users.

Humber Bridge (Near Hull) Exemption for those who receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance and who are exempt from the payment of Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax). Exemption vouchers are issued to the disabled person for use when crossing the bridge in their tax-exempt vehicle. Full details, including an application form are available can be found on the website. An application form can also be obtained in writing from:

The Humber Bridge Board
Ferriby Road
Hessle
East Yorkshire
HU13 0JG
Tel: 01482 647161
E-mail: mail@humberbridge.co.uk
www.humberbridge.co.uk/tollconcessions.php

Itchen Bridge (A3025: Woolston - Southampton)
Concessions available for those in receipt of the higher rate of mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance.

Itchen Bridge
Woolston
Southampton
SO19 9AD
Tel: 023 8043 1040
E-mail: itchen.bridge@southampton.gov.uk
www.southampton.gov.uk/s-environment/roadsandparking/itchenbridge/

M6 Motorway (Birmingham Toll)
The Mobility Exemption Pass is for the sole use on the M6 Toll and Allows free passage of the nominated vehicle only. If you think you may be eligible for a Mobility Exemption Pass, you must apply to Midland Express Limited as no other evidence of disability (e.g. a Blue Badge) can be accepted.
Organisations, recognised by the Secretary of State for Transport, which operate a vehicle for the carriage of disabled people can also use the motorway free of charge by applying in advance for a Mobility Exemption Pass.

Tel: 0870 850 6262
www.m6toll.co.uk

Mersey Tunnel (Liverpool - Birkenhead)
Concessions are available to individuals who are in receipt of the highest rate of Disability Living Allowance, or, if too old, the highest rate of Care Allowance. Full eligibility criteria and conditions of use are available can be found on the website. A 'Fast Tag' which can be shown at toll booths must be obtained in advance from:

Mersey Tunnels
Georges Dock Building
Pier Head
Liverpool
L3 1DD
Tel: 0151 236 8602 (8.30 am - 4.45 pm Monday to Friday)
Fax: 0151 255 0610
E-mail: enquiries@merseytunnels.co.uk
www.merseytunnels.co.uk/nossl/html/concessionary.php

Severn Bridge and Second Severn Crossing (M4/M48: North of Bristol)
Exemption for Blue Badge holders. You will need to hand your Blue Badge to the Toll Collector who will record the details and request the signature of the Blue Badge Holder (or the driver on behalf of the holder).

Cofiroute UK Ltd
Toll Administration Building
Bridge Access Road
Aust
South Gloucestershire
BS35 4BE
Tel: 01454 635056
E-mail: customer.service@severnbridge.co.uk
www.severnbridge.co.uk

Tamar Bridge (A38) & Torpoint Ferry (A374)
A smartcard for disabled motorists is available for individuals who:
- receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance;
- receive War Pensioners Mobility Supplement;
- are exempt from the payment of Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax); and
- are registered blind.
Please note that:
An advance application for free vouchers must be made - an application form can be downloaded at www.tamarcrossings.org.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=24853&p=0.
Applications must be accompanied by a fee of £2.00 and passport photograph.
A smartcard will be issued giving 100 free crossings per year after proof of entitlement has been checked.
A stamped addressed envelope must accompany all enquiries.

Torpoint Ferry Office
2 Ferry Street
Torpoint
Cornwall
PL11 2AX
Tel: 01752 812233
E-mail: mobility@torpointferry.org.uk
www.tamarcrossings.org.uk

Tay Road Bridge (Newport-on-Tay - Dundee)
Exemption for Blue Badge holders. You should show your badge at the toll booth.

Tyne Tunnel (Near Newcastle)
Exemption for those who are in receipt of the Higher Rate of Mobility Allowance issued by the Benefits Agency or War Pension Agency.

TT2 Ltd
Tyne Tunnels 2
Administration Building
Wallsend
Tyne and Wear
NE28 0PD
Tel: 0191 262 4451
E-mail: tt2limited@tt2.co.uk
www.tt2.co.uk/exempt-form.php

Whitchurch Bridge (B471: Pangbourne - Whitchurch)
The Company allows free crossings for disabled drivers who are in possession of a valid Vehicle Tax Exemption Certificate for their own vehicle, or who use a vehicle provided under the Motability scheme. To take advantage of this concession, disabled drivers need to pre-register with the Company using the Disabled Driver Registration Form which may be downloaded from the website or obtained on request from the Toll Collectors.

The Whitchurch Bridge Company
The Toll House
Whitchurch Bridge
Pangbourne
Berkshire
RG8 7DF
www.whitchurchbridge.com/rates.html

Parking in other countries

The Blue Badge parking concession is recognised throughout the member countries of the European Union (EU). However the parking rules and restrictions vary from country to country. The UK-issued Blue Badge gives you the same parking concessions as those that apply to Blue Badge holders of the country you are visiting. However, before travelling to another country, you will need to read the rules in force in that country and, in some cases, you will need to ask for further information local to where you are travelling.

The AA Motoring Trust has produced an advice booklet on the parking concessions available to Blue Badge holders in 29 European countries. The booklet can be downloaded from the website of the Institute of Advance Motorists Motoring Trust (which is taking forward the work of the AA Motoring Trust) at: www.iam.org.uk/policy_and_research_misc/bluebadgeusersparkingineurope.html.

If you plan to drive in other countries where there are no reciprocal arrangements, you should take your Blue Badge with you and enquire at the local parking authority whether your Blue Badge will give you access to any local parking concessions.

Parking arrangements for disabled visitors to the UK

From the European Union (EU)
There is a reciprocal agreement between the EU and the UK to use respective disabled parking badges/permits. Therefore, if you are visiting the UK from any of the countries of the EU you can bring your own badge/permit with you.

From beyond the European Union (EU)
If you are visiting the UK from beyond the countries of the European Union, the use of your own disabled parking permit in the UK is at the discretion of each local authority.

Before travelling to the UK you will need to read the the rules in force, and in some cases you will need to ask for further information local to where you are travelling.

The Blue Badge (the UK name for the national Disabled Parking Permit) Enquiry Line suggests that you check with the each local authority for the area where you will be travelling.

A list of the contact details for all local authorities in the UK can be found at: www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/Localcouncils/index.htm.