DLA Mobility Car Tax Question

swingaloo

Thank you for reading.

My partner has just received the higher rate Mobility component of DLA.

According to the letter and literature thy have sent him he should now get his car tax free which he is over the moon about.

But- Im dubious for 2 reasons. Firstly the car is registered in my name as I am the main driver due to his disability.

Would that mean he would not be entitled to the free tax?

Also it states that if you get the free tax disc the car must only be used by the disabled person - or- by the named driver (or carer) as long as they are driving it on behalf of the disabled person ie, getting the shopping or picking up prescriptions etc.

So would this mean that I would not be able to use it for my own use? I work part time and use he car in a morning to get to work. Im home at 10.30am as I care for my partner but the way it reads is that it would be wrong for me to be using the car.

we own the car jointly but its my partner who gets the disability payments.

Im thinking it would be better to just keep paying for the tax as Id be scared to use the car unless I could prove I was shopping on his behalf. For instance how would I prove ever time I went if I went into town if I was buying something for me or for him? It says the disabled person does not have to be in the car during its use but suppose I take myself off to visit family or go to the cinema then Im using it outside the rules?

littleboo

The DVLA definition of how a vehicle with a road tax exemption for a disabled person is very narrow, "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 can’t be used by the nominated driver for their own personal use."

My teenage daughter has higher rate DLA and but we decided that we wouldn't be able to comply with the restrictions so have never taken up the free road tax.

Saying that, if you take a Motability car, it will come taxed in the disabled class by default and the definition on how a Motability car can be used is much broader than the DVLA's definition, but thats another story.

sueturnersmith

You are going to work for your partner's benefit - the money you earn goes towards a better lifestyle for you both, and therefore it could be argued that your journeys to and from work are for his benefit.

p00hsticks

sueturnersmith wrote: »

You are going to work for your partner's benefit - the money you earn goes towards a better lifestyle for you both, and therefore it could be argued that your journeys to and from work are for his benefit.

I'm pretty sure that they won't accept that argument

jlawrence

p00hsticks wrote: »

I'm pretty sure that they won't accept that argument

Hi Poo, yes it is stretching it just a bit!

Parva

jlawrence wrote: »

Hi Poo, yes it is stretching it just a bit!

Good lord, perhaps it is Andy afterall. Pot and kettle situation here.

jlawrence

Parva wrote: »

Good lord, perhaps it is Andy afterall. Pot and kettle situation here.

Thanks Parva, pot & kettle? we don't claim any disability benefits so how could we be involved with Motability or Disabled Car Tax?? I know all about it after reading up on what we would get if we were able to claim PIP.

fed_up_and_stressed

jlawrence wrote: »

Thanks Parva, pot & kettle? we don't claim any disability benefits so how could we be involved with Motability or Disabled Car Tax?? I know all about it after reading up on what we would get if we were able to claim PIP.

Are you sure you would want to accept any "winnings" (as you call them) if either of you got any PIP award granted?

jlawrence wrote: »

but the problems that they have are not even in the same category as some that I know yet they don't get any disability benefits. Post code lottery I suppose. There are 10's of thousands with severe disabilities yet get no help.
Seems an unfair society to me. BUT, good luck to the poster enjoy your winnings.

pmlindyloo

Some interesting input on the subject here:

http://www.youreable.com/forums/showthread.php/7091-Question-about-road-tax

jlawrence

fed_up_and_stressed wrote: »

Are you sure you would want to accept any "winnings" (as you call them) if either of you got any PIP award granted?

Hi Fedup, of course we would, and no doubt would the thousands of others that don't get any award yet appear to be in a worse position care and mobility wise than the original poster is in. Like comparing depression and anxiety with Alzheimer's and other major mental health situations.

jlawrence

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Some interesting input on the subject here:

http://www.youreable.com/forums/showthread.php/7091-Question-about-road-tax

Thanks pm, that does in fact conclude what was being said. It must be for the direct benefit of the disabled person. As I have said no doubt many will try and stretch that definition to include obscure thoughts.