Significant changes to road tax are set to come into effect next week, potentially impacting Blue Badge holders across the UK.
As of April 1, the standard rate of road tax for cars registered after April 2017 will increase by £5 to £195 per year. However, the exact amount will depend on the year your car was registered and the type of fuel it uses.
Electric vehicles (EVs) will no longer be exempt from road tax. EVs registered from April 1, 2025, will pay the lowest rate of £10 in the first year, then move to the standard rate – the standard rate will also apply to EVs first registered after April 2017.
Disabled individuals can claim an exemption when applying for vehicle tax. However, Matt Fieldhouse, Car Expert at Mobility in Motion, is urging Blue Badge holders who registered an EV vehicle in the last eight years to check their exemption entitlement now or risk missing out on a saving of £195.
Fieldhouse explained: “An estimated 1.35 million disabled drivers who rely on public charging points for their EVs or hybrid vehicles could mistakenly pay £195 in road tax this April. The introduction of this new tax for vehicles registered in the last eight years could see Blue Badge holders incorrectly paying up to £250m in road tax across the UK.”
It’s important to be aware that many Blue Badge holders in the UK may be exempt from paying vehicle tax. According to GOV.UK, this is the case if you already get:
- Higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Enhanced rate mobility component of Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
- Higher rate mobility component of Child Disability Payment (CDP)
- War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
There is a 50% reduction available for individuals who receive the standard rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP).Blue Badge holders need to be mindful of specific requirements when applying for this concession:
- The vehicle must be registered in the disabled person’s name, or their nominated driver’s name
- It must only be used for the disabled person’s personal needs, it cannot be used by the nominated driver for their own personal use
- You can only use your exemption on one vehicle at a time – if you have more than one vehicle, you’ll need to choose which one will be exempt
Matt adds: “If you are claiming this exemption for a vehicle for the first time, this must be claimed at a Post Office that manages vehicle tax. To find your local Post Office to apply for an exemption, use the Post Office branch finder here and choose ‘vehicle tax’ from the menu. Alternatively, you can call the Post Office and ask for the closest branch to you that deals with vehicle tax.”, reports the Daily Record.
Alternatively, you can call the Post Office and ask for the closest branch to you that deals with vehicle tax. “Eligibility for a Blue Badge is extended to those with physical disabilities or conditions such as dementia, autism, or Parkinson’s that impair their ability to walk or pose risks to their safety when walking.
A Blue Badge offers the holder, whether driving or a passenger, the convenience of parking at no cost in disabled bays and may include exemptions from other parking rules. Scotland is home to over 235,700 Blue Badge holders, and many are entitled to the £20 parking permit automatically.
While online applications for a Blue Badge are possible, it is recommended that individuals with mental health issues consult their local council for assistance. The official statement reads: “If you have a mental condition that means you lack awareness about the danger of traffic, you cannot apply online. You should phone your local council’s Blue Badge team for a paper application form.”
Furthermore, the guidance indicates that not everyone may automatically qualify for a Blue Badge and could require a mobility assessment and a consultation with a medical professional.
It is also important to be aware that there isn’t a standard processing duration for new applications or renewals of Blue Badges – this may take roughly 12 weeks. The Blue Badge scheme is administered by local councils, which also set the associated fee and can provide an estimated processing time.
