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Blue Badge Holders: Act Now to Avoid Paying £195 in Road Tax

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Purpl

Published on

March 14, 2025

A wheelchair user is entering a mobility car through a ramp into the back of the vehicle

If you are a Blue Badge holder, then act now to avoid being caught out by new changes to road tax, which could see some people mistakenly charged up to £195. 

This warning comes amid upcoming tax changes set to affect vehicle owners, particularly those with electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid cars.

From April 2025, the road tax for cars registered after April 2017 will increase, with many Blue Badge holders potentially facing these new costs. Electric vehicles, which have historically been exempt from road tax, will now require a minimum £10 charge in their first year, and then they will be subject to standard tax rates.

However, Blue Badge holders who drive EVs may still qualify for an exemption from road tax, depending on certain benefits they receive. These benefits include the enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), and Armed Forces Independence Payment.

Matt Fieldhouse, a car expert at Mobility in Motion, warns that around 1.35 million disabled drivers could unknowingly pay £195 in road tax under the new rules, potentially leading to £250 million in unnecessary charges across the UK.

A male female couple are getting into a car, the woman is a wheelchair user and is wearing a denim jacket and has a long dark bob haircut, the man is standing and has short dark hair and beard, they look happy

To ensure you don’t miss out on these exemptions, Blue Badge holders are encouraged to apply for vehicle tax exemptions promptly. This could make a significant difference, especially in light of the ongoing cost of living crisis.

For those needing to apply for a Blue Badge or renew their existing one, the process is simple and can be done online through your local council’s website.

Applying for Car Tax reduction for Blue Badge holders differs whether your are applying for the first time or renewing your car tax discounts.

For first time applications, you need to go to a Post Office branch that deals with vehicle tax.

To find a Post Office branch, you can either:

If you are renewing your vehicle tax exemption, you can renew your vehicle tax exemption online or by phone.

Read about applying for a vehicle tax exemption on the government website or you can see the Purpl Guide to Car Tax Discounts for Disabled People here.


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Related Disability Articles

PIP Discounts and Freebies 2025: Maximise Savings with your PIP Benefits
Blue Badge Guide – Parking for Disabled People in the UK
Understanding Car Tax Discounts for Disabled People in the UK


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