Disability Car Tax Exemption - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

55,061 members65,847 posts

Disability Car Tax Exemption

rsmrsnl profile image
21 Replies

Me again (sorry). I found out today I’ve been granted the higher rate mobility on PIP. My hubby and I share a car, although I don’t drive anymore, I find it makes me very breathless after a few minutes. Anyway - the car is registered in hubby’s name and my question is do I have to register it in my name now in order to claim free car tax. My husband drives me everywhere but also uses it himself for things like hospital appointments etc. The leaflet that came with PIP stuff implies if we leave it as it as it is and he’s the designated driver he wouldn’t be able to carry on using it for himself. What has anyone done, must be a common problem and don't want to break the law. Sorry to have rambled on and hope this makes sense to someone 🤔 Rose xx

Written by
rsmrsnl profile image
rsmrsnl
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
21 Replies
skischool profile image
skischool

Have you considered getting rid of your car and using your higher rate allowance to get a motability vehicle with you as recipient you could add your husband as a named driver,that way you could have a car that is both taxed,insured and maintained during the lease period and probably save quite a bit of money to boot.

Best wishes Ski's and Scruff's

rsmrsnl profile image
rsmrsnl in reply to skischool

Worth investigating, thank you xx

mikeadams51 profile image
mikeadams51 in reply to skischool

Still only be used for the benefit of the recipient so no better off

skischool profile image
skischool in reply to mikeadams51

Depends on what can be classed as for the benefit of the user,i imagine just using it for going to work would be frowned on but one would have to factor useage into the equation as you indicate.the named driver is covered for all other aspect so i find your reply debatable but it is for the poster to decide the benefits. :)

motability.co.uk/about/how-...

mikeadams51 profile image
mikeadams51 in reply to skischool

Legally it can only used for the sole benefit of the recipient. I.E shopping appointments etc. However in reality nobody is going to check up

skischool profile image
skischool in reply to mikeadams51

Correct and as you say nobody ever checks and the only problems might be if you were involved in an accident whilst drink driving with a load of floosies in the back lol :)

Bella395 profile image
Bella395 in reply to mikeadams51

Possibly nobody will check up but the insurance company might should an accident occur. False information will invalidate insurance.

Whether or not someone decides to go against the rules and regulations is dependent on attitude to risk. I would prefer the safe option because I occasionally have to use the car for things that cannot be said to to be wholly relevant to my OH. I take exception to the fact that I own the car but am not legally able to use it in certain circumstances. I would rather pay the road tax, have a clear conscience and full use of my own car.

mikeadams51 profile image
mikeadams51 in reply to Bella395

Quite agree. Too many restrictions if claiming disability road tax exception

Glasgowgirl1947 profile image
Glasgowgirl1947 in reply to Bella395

My husband had a bad accident in my Motability car 2 months ago and there's not been any bother with the insurance, I wasn't in the car at the time but no-one asked anything about it I pick up my new car on Monday and have had the use of a courtesy car since the accident. Thankfully he wasn't injured. We've never had any worries about him using the car to shop etc but I suppose it wouldn't be fair to use it for work

Bella395 profile image
Bella395 in reply to skischool

Possibly of no benefit because the motability car should only be used for the benefit of the disabled person. The OP’s husband theoretically should not drive the vehicle for his own personal use.

skischool profile image
skischool in reply to Bella395

In my case my wife was disabled and housebound and we had an WAV,that didn't mean that every time i went to the bank,or the garden centre on my own i had to put a wheelchair in the back and if didn't i was uninsured as i was doing stuff on her behalf and for her benefit. a little common sense is required here as to how you intend to use the vehicle and if you are not doing something within the spirit of the law then go off and pay your tax it's no big deal.

stone-UK profile image
stone-UK

Hi

Quote

To claim the exemption or reduction the vehicle must be :

Registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

It must be only be used for the disabled person’s personal needs. That means the vehicle can’t be used by the nominated driver for their own personal use.

You can only claim one tax exemption.

You should consider a mobility vehicle with your husband as nominated second drive.

No repair bills, free puncture repair and tyre replacement, replacement vehicle if broken down. Worry free motoring for the cost of fuel.

rsmrsnl profile image
rsmrsnl in reply to stone-UK

Thank you Stone, looking into it xx

blue1 profile image
blue1

You should think on the lines of every time your husband uses the car it is probably linked in some small way to your well being anyway. As an example, if he used it to travel to work he is working to support you. If he goes to the hospital himself then he is ensuring he stays fit enough to drive you around. Also any shopping etc. is inclusive and for both of you anyway. I would suggest you simply apply for the road tax exemption with the car in your husbands name (as registered driver) and all should be well.

Bella395 profile image
Bella395 in reply to blue1

It’s not possible to say that ‘all will be well’. Her husband might want to use the car for his own purposes eg meeting up with friends, going to a sporting event. It’s stretching things a bit to say that he is doing this for his wife. The OP should refer to the government information that is freely available on the Internet.

blue1 profile image
blue1 in reply to Bella395

I understand that, but the option of a motability car carries exactly the same restrictions so where do we go from there? Perhaps common sense should rule.

gingermusic profile image
gingermusic

We have the same problem we get round it by having hubby as designated driver and then when ever he needs to go to hospital appts: I go as well so I am in the car bit of a pain at times but I have now got use to it

Bella395 profile image
Bella395

rsmrsnl - have a similar situation now that OH has stopped driving. He gets the mobility allowance and tax exemption but the car is in my name because I do all the driving. Last year I telephoned the relevant departments re using the tax exemption and following their advice I decided not to use it. Legally it should only be used if the disabled person is in the car or for journeys that are being undertaken on their behalf. Technically this means that you own a car but can’t use it as you please. I decided to pay for the road tax because I wasn’t comfortable with the restrictions.

I don’t know for sure but in the eyes of the law (and insurance company) it could be akin to driving an untaxed vehicle when your husband uses the car for his own personal use. It would be safer for you to pay the road tax.

rsmrsnl profile image
rsmrsnl in reply to Bella395

Thanks Bella. That’s exactly what I was thinking. It’s not too much to carry on paying and can always change things if we go for a mobility car in the future. I don’t like doing things if there’s a chance we could be breaking the law. That’s helped clear things up for me xx

Will57 profile image
Will57

Our car is in my wifes name but we get 50% off car tax. Just write to DVL and they will request whats needed. My wife had to show my allowance from DWP

Hondabike3 profile image
Hondabike3

THE HIGHER RATE OF PIP ENTITLES YOU TO A NEW CARE EVERY THREE YEARS (LEASED) ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PUT IN THE FUEL, YOU CAN ADD DRIVERS TO THE INSURANCE, ITS WORRY FREE MOTORING OR YOU CAN KEEP THE ALLOWANNCE KEEP THE ALLOWANCE AND BUY TOUR OWN CAR THIS ENTITLES YOU TO FREE ROAD TAX THROUGH THE SCHEME

You may also like...

COPD and asthma not disabilities?

to investigate the pain and neuropathic loss of use of my legs which caused the fall in the first...

Disabled parking

could really use a disabled parking badge as I have both asthma and ILD and am pretty breathless...

Car service with Heating System Decontamination Service.

or experience on car heating system decontamination service? We’ve just had our car serviced and...

Books on Managing a Disability

anywhere!!!! I think it was authored by someone named Jones. It focussed on living with a long...

Chemical names for medication/new oxygen tank & prescription

ages to remember their chemical names Why cant they use the brand name. At a guess (obviously cant...