How To Apply For Disabled Tax Class?

Cars of disabled drivers are exempted from paying car tax in the UK. Through this blog post, we aim to learn about how can someone apply for a disabled tax on their vehicle, how can the tax class of your car be changed, the possible blue badge concessions that disabled drivers might be able to avail and the types of vehicles that are exempted from paying car tax. 

How To Apply For Disabled Tax Class?

If you qualify for Disabled Tax, you will need to apply for it through a post office that deals with car taxes.

For this purpose, you must take your Certificate of Entitlement of any of the following benefits that your receive:

  • Adult Disability Payment
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment
  • Child Disability Payment
  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Personal Independence Payment
  • War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

To apply for a change of your vehicle’s tax class, you will need to provide the following as well:

  • the V5C vehicle registration certificate or vehicle logbook
  • either a cheque or a postal order that is payable to DVLA
  • a valid MOT certificate 

Individuals who qualify for a Disabled Tax for themselves or a nominated driver and are seeking to apply for the first time will need to apply through a post office; while future modifications to their status such as exemptions and reductions can be applied for online.

Individuals who qualify for Disabled Tax for their vehicle may also qualify for a Blue Badge, Road Tax exemption and Toll concessions as well. 

Can I Change The Tax Class If I Have Bought A Car With Disabled Tax?

Yes, you can change the tax class of your car if it came with a Disabled Tax classification when you made the purchase but it is no longer applicable now. For this purpose, you will have to visit a local post office that deals with car taxes and apply for a change of tax class for your vehicle by filling out and submitting form V70.

You will need to send the following documents along with your application for change in tax class:

  • the V5C vehicle registration certificate or vehicle logbook
  • either a cheque or a postal order that is payable to DVLA (this is for any extra vehicle tax you have to pay due to a change in tax class)
  • a valid MOT certificate 

Once changes have been made at the DVLA, you will receive a confirmation from them along with an updated car logbook. You can continue driving your car while your application is in process.

On the other hand, if you wish to have your tax classed in the Disabled Tax category, and you need to apply for a Disabled Tax for the first time, you will need to carry the following list of documents to the post office with you as apply for a change of tax class:

  • Completed application for a Vehicle Registration Certificate (V62)
  • Vehicle Registration Certificate (V5C logbook) or the V5C/2 (nominated driver details)
  • Certificate of Entitlement to DLA, PIP, AFIP or WPMS

Can I Swap Disabled Tax With Another Car?

No, you cannot swap Disabled Tax with another car; in fact, you cannot transfer any type of car tax from one vehicle to another. If you qualify for Disabled Tax, you will need to apply for it through a post office that deals with car taxes.

Individuals who qualify for a Disabled Tax for themselves or a nominated driver and are seeking to apply for the first time will need to apply through a post office; while future modifications to their status such as exemptions and reductions can be applied for online.

Individuals who qualify for Disabled Tax for their vehicle may also qualify for a Blue Badge, Road Tax exemption and Toll concessions as well. 

What Are Blue Badge Concessions For Disabled Drivers?

Blue Badge concessions are given to drivers with certain medical conditions in the UK, enabling them to park closer to their destinations.

If you qualify for a Blue Badge, you may be able to park for free in the following locations:

  • Unlimited parking on streets with parking meters or pay-and-display machines 
  • Unlimited parking (unless a time limit is displayed on a sign) in disabled parking bays on streets
  • Parking for up to three hours on single or double yellow lines (unless there’s a ‘no loading’ sign)

Concessions for Blue Badge holders also cover their usage of company cars. This generally happens when people with hidden disabilities such as dementia and anxiety are given company cars from their workplace. In addition to the other concessions extended under the Blue Badge scheme, these individuals will also get tax relief on their company vehicles. Employers can facilitate the process by filling out the P11D form with the correct car details.

Who Is Eligible For A Blue Badge?

To qualify as a Blue Badge holder, applicants must be able to meet the below criteria:

  • The claimant receives a higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance or War Pensioner’s Mobility supplement
  • The claimant has been given a sum by the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme 
  • The claimant is registered with a substantial and permanent disability or blindness
  • The claimant gets a Personal Independence Payment with an eligible descriptor of the mobility component
  • The claimant has a terminal illness that interferes with their ability to walk
  • The claimant has been issued with a DS1500
  • The claimant has a substantial or permanent disability that makes it very difficult to walk
  • The claimant regularly drives a vehicle and have severe disabilities with their arms

However, you must keep in mind that having a Blue Badge does not allow claimants to park their car anywhere; they just qualify for certain concessions in specific areas. They will still need to follow parking regulations and can get fined for breaking parking rules. Claimants need to be conscious of the fact that being a Blue Badge holder does not exempt them from Road Tax payments.

Blue Badge holders who find an improvement in their condition or mobility will no longer be eligible for this benefit. Therefore, they must inform their local council of the change in their condition and if need be, return the badge. 

Can Disabled Drivers Get Road Tax Exemption?

Yes, disabled drivers qualify for a Road Tax exemption. To be eligible, the vehicle must essentially be registered in the name of the disabled person or their designated driver. Additionally, it can only be used for the personal needs of the disabled person and not for those of the designated driver. 

You can apply for a Road Tax exemption at the same time that you apply for Disabled Car Tax at the post office as You will need the same documents along with your application. 

If you don’t qualify for a Road Tax exemption but you receive the standard rate mobility component for Personal Independence Payments (PIP), you may be able to apply for a 50 per cent reduction on your Vehicle Tax.

Who Is Exempted From Paying Road Tax?

Anyone with a roadworthy vehicle in the UK is required to pay Road Tax (also referred to as car tax, vehicle tax or road fund license), as this is a mandatory, annual payment enforced by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. However, the following vehicles are exempt from Road Tax:

  • Cars used by a disabled person
  • Disabled passenger vehicles
  • Electric vehicles
  • Historic vehicles
  • Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs
  • Mowing machines
  • Steam vehicles
  • Vehicles used for agriculture, horticulture and forestry

How Do I Know What Tax Class Is My Car?

Depending on their construction and the purpose for which vehicles are used, tax classes are classified as per the below list by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA):

  • Private/Light Goods
  • Petrol Car
  • Diesel Car
  • Alternative Fuel Car
  • Light Goods Vehicle
  • Euro 4 Light Goods Vehicle
  • Euro 5 Light Goods Vehicle
  • Heavy Goods Vehicle
  • Private/Heavy Goods Vehicle
  • Special Types
  • Haulage Vehicles
  • Buse
  • Motorcycle
  • Small Island Vehicles
  • Rescue Vehicle
  • Special Concessionary
  • Emergency Vehicle
  • Exempt Vehicle

In the case of private vehicles, the car tax due upon them depends on (a) their engine type which determines the type of fuel the vehicle consumes and (b) the co2 emissions (these are calculated separately for the first year of registration and then for subsequent years).

Conclusion:

The discussion in the article has made it clear how someone can apply for disabled tax for their car through a local post office that deals with car tax. Applicants will need relevant documents and a Certificate of Entitlement of any of the disability benefits that they may be claiming to apply for a disabled tax class. Claimants may also find it useful to apply for a Blue Badge at the same time so that they may be able to avail parking and driving concessions as well. 

FAQs: How To Apply For Disabled Tax Class?

What happens to car tax when you change cars?

Car tax cannot be carried over. This means that the buyer and seller will need to pay car tax for a full month each time a car is transferred through a change in ownership.

How many vehicles can a customer use their disability tax exemption against?

One vehicle per individual can be used for disability tax exemption. Additionally, the vehicle must be registered in the name of the disabled person or their designated driver. Also, it can only be used for the personal needs of the disabled person and not for those of the designated driver.

Can a Blue Badge holder get free road tax?

Yes, most Blue Badge holders get free tax as well. Once you apply for an exemption, you will also be refunded for the months that you were eligible for the benefit but did not receive it.

What determines the tax on a car?

In addition to the year of being registered, the engine type or type of fuel being consumed as well as the degree of CO2 emissions from your car will determine the tax rate that applies to it.

Who can drive a car with a disabled tax?

A vehicle driven disabled tax status must be registered in the name of the disabled person or their designated driver and it can be driven by either of them. However, it can only be used for the personal needs of the disabled person and not for those of the designated driver.

References:

How to apply for free disabled tax (INS216) – GOV.UK

How to change your car tax class as a disabled driver | Adrian Flux.

Change your vehicle’s tax class – GOV.UK

Change your vehicle’s tax class: Tax is due to run out or change if the vehicle is exempt – GOV.UK

Change Vehicle Tax Class at Post Office or DVLA (V62 and V70)

Get free vehicle tax if you’re a driver with a disability – GOV.UK

Vehicles exempt from vehicle tax – GOV.UK