Driving

Go to transport and getting around

Vehicle tax

You may be entitled to a free tax disc if you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance, War Pensioners Mobility Supplement or have a powered wheelchair or scooter ( termed an invalid carriage in law)

To claim exemption from vehicle tax the vehicle must be registered in your name or the name of someone you nominate to drive for you. The vehicle must only be used for your purposes.

D.L.A.

 If you receive D.L.A. you need to apply for an exemption certificate for a free tax disc to:

The Disability Living Allowance Unit Warbreck House Warbreck Hill Blackpool FY2 0YE Tel 0845 712 3456

War Pensioners Mobility Supplement

 If you receive W.P.M.S. and you should contact :

Service personnel and Veterans Agency Tel:  0800 169 2277

Powered wheelchair or scooter

 If you drive a powered wheelchair or scooter you don’t need to receive a disability benefit or apply for an exemption certificate to get a free tax disc.

 If the vehicle weighs less than 509kg and is adapted, used or kept on the road for a disabled person it needs to be registered with the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and you will get a free tax disc.

If it weighs less than 113.4 kg, is for footpath use only & has a maximum speed of 4 m.p.h.  it doesn’t need to be registered with the DVLA or display a tax disc

Free tax discs can be obtained at licence issuing Post offices and can be renewed each year online, over the phone, in person or by post.

Motability contract hire vehicles don’t need an exemption certificate. Motability will arrange to tax your vehicle each year and send a tax disc directly to you. 

Insurance

Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 insurers can only charge disabled people higher premiums if the extra charge is based on factual or statistical data or there are other relevant factors which indicate that a disabled person is a higher risk.

 Breakdown Services

 AA

The AA offers a discount on membership, priority services and a free Disabled Travellers Guide to Blue Badge holders.

The A.A. also has a disability helpline:

Tel 0800 262 050

Website: www.theaa.com

 RAC

The RAC offers a priority service for Blue Badge holders called Response.

For more information contact

Tel:  0800 029 029

Website: www.rac.co.uk/blue-badge-holders

 Dropped Kerb

A dropped kerb may make it easier to get from your car to your house.

You may need planning permission on certain roads in Hounslow, for a flat or a multiple occupancy home, for a listed building or in a conservation area.

For more information contact:

Highways Maintenance Team

Civic Centre

 Lampton Road TW3 4DN

Tel: 0208 583 5555

Email: highways@hounslow.gov.uk

Website: www.hounslow.gov.uk

 Or discuss with the Occupational Therapy Team through:

The Adult Access Team

41 New Heston Road TW5 0LW

Tel: 0208 583 31000

 Disabled Bay

If you have a blue badge and severe mobility difficulties you can apply to have a disabled persons parking space marked on the road outside your home.

For more information contact:

Traffic and Road Safety

Civic Centre

Lampton Road

TW3 4DN

            Tel 0208 583 3322

            Email: traffic@hounslow.gov.uk

            Website www.hounslow.gov.uk

 Adapting your car

 You can get your vehicle adapted so that driving is safe and comfortable and getting in and out of the car is easier.

 There are motoring accessories available for people with upper or lower body disabilities or both, and adaptations to make it easier to get in and out of your vehicle.

Ricability, a research charity, has published a number of reports that look in depth at the various types of adaptations available, information on choosing a care, car controls,.etc.

For more information contact:

Website: www.ricability .org.uk

 Motability Scheme 

 The Motability Scheme is run by the independent not-for-profit organisation Motability. It helps with leasing or buying a car if you receive the higher mobility component of Disability Living Allowance or the war pensioners’ mobility supplement.

 Even if you do not drive yourself you can apply for a car as a passenger and propose two other people as your drivers.

There is also a plan for contract hire or hire purchase of a new powered wheelchair or scooter.

For more information contact:

Tel: 0845 456 4566

Website: www.motability.co.uk

Queen Elizabeths Foundation Mobility Centre

 The mobility centre is an accredited member of the Forum of Mobility Centres and offers assessment, the opportunity for trying out products, training and advice for people driving cars, scooters or wheelchairs and for car passengers.

There are different assessments:

Car adaptation assessment

 Offers a facility to test drive different manufacturers products without any sales pressure. You can make an informed choice on which of the many options on the market suit you best. The assessment includes an interview and review of your physical ability, checks of strength, fine control and reaction times on a static car unit and time on safe private roads in a dual controlled vehicle trying out control options.

Driving ability assessment.

The assessment provided allows you to explore your visual, cognitive and physical ability and, if appropriate, to have a first try at driving again in a safe environment with a specialist assessor in a car with dual controls. Potential learner drivers will have their needs clarified.

Transfer and vehicle choice assessment

Offers advice and trial of solutions likely to help with difficulty getting yourself and any equipment you use in and out of the car. It includes a seating and postural support assessment but does not address use of car controls. It may also include demonstration of a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

For more information contact:

            The Mobility Centre

            Damson Way

            Fountain Drive

            Carshalton

            Surrey

            SM5 4NR

            Tel 0208 770 1151

            Email: info@mobility-qe.org

            Website: www.qef.org.uk

Blue Badge Scheme

 The scheme allows blue badge holders to take advantage of disabled motorists parking privileges whenever they are travelling, as driver or passenger, subject to certain rules and restrictions. It is issued to a person not a vehicle.

The scheme is available to people who have severe walking difficulties, people who are registered blind and people with very severe upper limb disabilities who regularly drive a vehicle but cannot turn the steering wheel by hand.

You qualify automatically if you receive the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance, you are registered blind or receive a war pensioners mobility supplement. You may be eligible if you have a permanent and substantial disability which causes severe walking difficulties or if you have a severe upper limb disability.

 For more information contact:

Transport Inclusion Unit

 London Borough of Hounslow

Civic Centre

 Lampton Road

Hounslow TW3 4DN

            Email:   bluebadge@hounslow.gov.uk

Tel: 0208 583 3073.

Go to transport and getting around

Please let us know if links are not working or to add any other local support group information