DLA Higher Rate Mobility and Road Tax Exemption

LocoLoco

Hello there, I wonder if I could ask for some advice?

My son has just been awarded higher rate mobility for the first time. He's nearly 14 so still on the old DLA system.

Someone told me that means we wouldn't have to pay road tax but I've just been looking on the DVLA website and that says that the exempt vehicle must be used either by the disabled person or by someone who is using the vehicle to help them.

We just have the one vehicle which my son's Dad bought for us both to use (his Dad and I aren't together). I don't want to change that for a motability vehicle as my son's condition might improve (hopefully) so we might not receive higher rate mobility long term and I don't want to leave myself without the car. As I use the vehicle for my own personal use (without my son in the vehicle and when I'm not doing things that benefit him) would I be right in thinking that means we wouldn't claim the tax exemption?

Would be grateful if someone could clarify for me, many thanks

PS I just realised I have a second question. I was going to apply for a Blue Badge for him from our local council. If we move out of the area do I reapply with the new council or do I just inform the old one of a change of address? Many thanks.

LongTallKatie

I can't help you on the road tax question, but in regards to the blue badge, each council has it's own scheme so you would need to reapply if you moved to a different council controlled area.

Richie-from-the-Boro

The vehicle must be only used for the benefit of the person with exemption, the vehicle's registered keeper should claim the exemption. So if you are the registered keeper you claim on behalf of your son. You should only use the vehicle or the Blue Badge for your son's needs, for example taking your son to the doctor or for doing his shopping. Using the vehicle for your own personal requirements unconnected with the disabled person is unlawful and the appropriate rate of vehicle excise duty must be paid.

In reality the probability of being prosecuted is low and is only likely to occur where there is flagrant abuse of the exemption, for example where a non-disabled person uses the vehicle to drive to work. The DVLA has implied that, where the car is used substantially for the purposes of the disabled person, there is nothing to worry about. But note these dangers.

Telephone the disabled helpline and ask. Best of luck.

pstuart

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

.

In reality the probability of being prosecuted is low and is only likely to occur where there is flagrant abuse of the exemption, for example where a non-disabled person uses the vehicle to drive to work. The DVLA has implied that, where the car is used substantially for the purposes of the disabled person, there is nothing to worry about. But note these dangers.

Telephone the disabled helpline and ask. Best of luck.

Good points but I would disagree about the work use (I know that you're only quoting the DVLA).

Anything that a mother does, including going out to work is for the child's benefit.

Describing it as a flagrant abuse is quite wrong.

Richie-from-the-Boro

pstuart wrote: »

Good points but I would disagree about the work use (I know that you're only quoting the DVLA).

Anything that a mother does, including going out to work is for the child's benefit.

Describing it as a flagrant abuse is quite wrong.

You and I have always disagreed on this, and that's fine with me. I've always said anyone actually caught should have the full weight of the all laws brought against them. Going out to work by itself or of itself is not for the benefit of the mobility impaired individual if the availability of that vehicle for their use is substantially unavailable.

What you are asserting is its ok because the money the parent earns goes back to the household, that can't be the case because its use for the period of use is wholly unconnected with the disabled person and is therefore unlawful. Claiming otherwise is the usual cop-out that's been perpetrated here on MSE for years.

LocoLoco never mentioned work. I gave it as a DVLA example of misuse of the VED. Take care 'pstuart '.

teddysmum

There is a thread on here, somewhere,where a poster actually sought official confirmation that a carer's going to work in a motability car was of benefit to the disabled person and they were told it was not claimable.

Mojisola

LocoLoco wrote: »

As I use the vehicle for my own personal use (without my son in the vehicle and when I'm not doing things that benefit him) would I be right in thinking that means we wouldn't claim the tax exemption?

Yes................

Poppie68

My FIL has been told continuously by Motability throughout the 20 years they have had a motability vehicle that he IS allowed to use it for commuting purposes as he is the main and only carer to my MIL...He only retired in the last 2 years but spent 20 years of traveling home each lunchtime to attend to her and leave work throughout a working day to drive her to medical appointments.

Mojisola

Poppie68 wrote: »

My FIL has been told continuously by Motability throughout the 20 years they have had a motability vehicle that he IS allowed to use it for commuting purposes as he is the main and only carer to my MIL...He only retired in the last 2 years but spent 20 years of traveling home each lunchtime to attend to her and leave work throughout a working day to drive her to medical appointments.

What about social events?

Poppie68

Mojisola wrote: »

What about social events?

He hasn't attended a social event without my MIL for over 20 years...He has always been upfront about the car usage...
I rang Motability after my stroke last year to ask if my daughter could use mine short term as she was needed by myself daily once I got home but as she also had a little one in nursery within walking distance of her home(45 min walk from my house) she would need to use it to drop and pick from nursery as well as care for me...They had no problem with that and noted it was going to be parked on her drive way each night....We got her a car of her own 2 weeks later though.

Confuseddot

Poppie68 wrote: »

My FIL has been told continuously by Motability throughout the 20 years they have had a motability vehicle that he IS allowed to use it for commuting purposes as he is the main and only carer to my MIL...He only retired in the last 2 years but spent 20 years of traveling home each lunchtime to attend to her and leave work throughout a working day to drive her to medical appointments.

I think thats its the DVLA that disagrees not Motability, my friend phoned the DVLA to ask about getting the tax exemption for her vehicle and was told that as she used it for work it was not allowed.