Motability, Blue Badge Scheme and discounted travel

The Motability Scheme enables disabled people to lease a new car, mobility scooter or powered wheelchair.

You might qualify to join the Motability Scheme if you get certain disability benefits.

Find out more about the scheme on the Motability website

The Blue Badge Scheme provides a range of parking benefits for disabled people who have difficulty walking.

For example, you can park for free in pay-and-display bays and also on double and single yellow lines.

A Blue Badge costs up to £10 in England and Northern Ireland, and up to £20 in Scotland. It’s free in Wales.

To apply for a Blue Badge:

• in England and Wales, to go the GOV.UK website
• in Scotland, go to the mygov.scot website
• in Northern Ireland, go to the nidirect website

If you’re getting certain disability benefits, you’re exempt from paying Vehicle Excise Duty – car tax or road tax.

If you’re on the Motability Scheme, you don’t need to do anything.

If you own your car, you have to apply for the exemption.

Find out more about vehicle tax exemption on the GOV.UK website

Depending on where in the UK you live, you might be entitled to free or discounted bus travel.

Find out more about bus passes and other travel concessions where you live by following the links below:

• free bus travel for disabled people in England, go to the GOV.UK website
• concessionary travel in Scotland, go to the Transport Scotland website
• concessionary travel in Wales[SM1] , go to the Transport for Wales website
• free bus travel and concessions in Northern Ireland, go to the nidirect website

The Disabled Persons Railcard gives you a third off most rail fares.

The discount is for two people – so you can save money for a friend or a carer too.

You have to buy the railcard but it only costs £20 for one year. You might even be able to make a saving equivalent to this cost after just one journey.

There’s lots of assistance available when travelling by train – including help getting on and off the train and help with luggage – all free of charge.

Find out more on the Disabled Persons Railcard website

There’s no national concessions scheme for coach travel.

However, discounted travel is available depending on which coach company you’re using.

National Express sells a Disabled Coach Card that gives a third off their standard fares.

Find out more on the National Express website

You can get free travel if you use your National Entitlement Card on City Link coaches.

Find out more about applying for a National Entitlement Card on the Transport Scotland website

You can get half price travel if you use your SmartPass on Goldline coaches.

Find out more about applying for a SmartPass on the nidirect website

Community transport is usually run by local authorities and can be a good alternative to taxis or public transport. They’re sometimes called Dial-a-Ride or Ring and Ride.

Find your local community transport provider on the CTA website

A Disabled Persons Freedom Pass will give you:

• free 24-hour travel across Transport for London’s networks – except for some river boats, which are half price
• free train travel on the London Overground network – however, you might not be able to travel before 9.30am.

Find out more about applying for a Disabled Persons Freedom Pass on the London Councils website

The London Taxicard Scheme gives subsidised taxis for disabled people who find using public transport difficult.

Find out more about applying for a Taxicard on the London Councils website