Blind Child

Shell181

Hello I was hoping someone will be able to help me. My son is registered blind (By our local authority and on the blind register) he has a condition called "Septo Optic Displaysia" and "Nystagmus" we get high rate care and low rate mobility. I've been told that as we use our personal car to take him back and forth to hospital appointments we might be able to claim free car tax. If anybody has any information or links that would be of any use I'd be very gratefull.

Kind regards Michelle

zzzLazyDaisy

Hi Michelle, sorry to hear about your little one.

As far as I know, the only time you would be enitled to free road tax for a car used to drive your child around, is if you get high rate mobility DLA for the child.

But I have no experience of caring for a disabled child, so hopefully someone more knowledgable than me will be along soon.

Shell181

Ok thanks very much for your help I will try to get the high rate mob from them thanks again

somebody_else

Shell181 wrote: »

I've been told that as we use our personal car to take him back and forth to hospital appointments we might be able to claim free car tax. If anybody has any information or links that would be of any use I'd be very gratefull.

Kind regards Michelle

As far as I'm aware the tax exemption only applies to those in receipt of the higher rate mobility component of DLA (I think there's an equivalent for another group, but it's to do with war disablement).

Also, bear in mind that if one has a tax exemption that vehicle can only be used by or directly for the benefit of the person in reciept of the DLA. So it would mean that you couldn't use the car legally unless it was directly for your son's benefit. So it would rule out such things as using it to get to work, go to the shops (unless you always took your son with you), etc.

somebody_else

Shell181 wrote: »

Ok thanks very much for your help I will try to get the high rate mob from them thanks again

Erm... sorry to pop up again so soon, but you won't get the higher rate mobility for visual impairment. Although RNIB etc, are lobbying for this to be changed, at the moment only the lower rate of mobility is awarded.

Ms_Chocaholic

somebody_else wrote: »

Also, bear in mind that if one has a tax exemption that vehicle can only be used by or directly for the benefit of the person in reciept of the DLA. So it would mean that you couldn't use the car legally unless it was directly for your son's benefit. So it would rule out such things as using it to get to work, go to the shops (unless you always took your son with you), etc.

But you could also say that going to the supermarket to buy food is for the son's benefit, as is going to work, to earn an income which is used to pay for utilities, mortgage/rent etc etc which is again for son's benefit.

somebody_else

Ms_Chocaholic wrote: »

But you could also say that going to the supermarket to buy food is for the son's benefit, as is going to work, to earn an income which is used to pay for utilities, mortgage/rent etc etc which is again for son's benefit.

Unfortunately, the powers that be don't view it like that. It's generally viewed that if you're using the car for other things - like going shopping and going to work without the disabled person in the car, then you aren't using the car soley for their benefit.

Sorry, I don't make the rules.

Shell181

Thanks for the info. I've been onto the RNIB website to give my assistance to them to campain for fairer DLA rules.

nanokitten

I have to agree that I don't think that you'll get the road tax exemption or higher rate DLA. Personally I haave forund the road tax thing more trouble than its worth (though my road tax is £35 per year anyway).

However, (if you don't already have one) you can get a blue badge if you are registered blind. You'll need to contact your local council to apply.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/DG_4001061

Shell181

Yes i have a blue badge already, thank you anyway. We have had 1 since he was actually registered blind with the local authority

nanokitten

Good, just checking!