Driving

Vehicle Excise Duty (Road Tax) exemption

The Benefits Agency can provide you with an Exemption Certificate to present at a Post Office when paying vehicle tax, together with the vehicle’s registration document, insurance and MOT. They will make the necessary changes, and provide you with a receipt to prove that your car is taxed. For people who only receive standard rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payments, a 50% reduction may be available direct from the DVLA – check the driving and transport page on the gov.uk for details.

The Motability Scheme

If you are getting the higher rate of the Mobility Component of the DLA or the enhanced rate of Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement) you may be able to get help on preferential terms through Motability with leasing a suitable car, including wheelchair-accessible vehicles. There is also limited financial assistance available for advance payments or adaptations.

There are other advantages to having those benefits, like free entry to the congestion zone in London (for tax-exempt cars), free use of certain toll bridges etc.

If you are having difficulty driving, and feel that your driving ability should be reassessed, contact Driving Mobility, the organisation for assessment centres across the country. This is a network of independent organisations covering England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland offering professional, high quality information, advice and assessment to people who have a medical condition or are recovering from an accident or injury which may affect their ability to drive, get into or out of a motor vehicle.

There are a wide range of adaptations available for your car. Rica is a good place to start your research. It has excellent, impartial guides on everything from getting in and out of a car, how to lift a wheelchair in and out, and driving adaptions.

Driving and CMT: the law and insurance

If you have a diagnosis of CMT and hold a driving licence you must tell the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) Drivers Medical Group. You must also tell them if your CMT gets worse or if you have any changes in your physical abilities.

People with a neurological condition, such as CMT, must fill in form CN1 and give written consent to DVLA for them to contact your doctor for information concerning your medical condition. On the gov.uk website, CMT is classified under the ‘peripheral neuropathy’ section and the form can be downloaded here. Failure to inform DVLA is a criminal offence that may be subject to a fine of up to £1000.

Most people with CMT, when surrendering their licence for any reason, or when applying initially, are now being given a three year licence.  This does necessitate form filling every three years, and a usually very long wait for the new licence to be issued, but is not generally a problem – you are safe to drive whilst the new licence is being prepared.  Occasionally DVLA may issue a licence subject to earlier medical review (one, two or three years) or restrict driving to automatic vehicles or vehicles with adaptations. The taking of certain drugs may also have an impact on your ability to drive.

Insurance companies will take the view that insurance cover is invalid if a medical condition has not been declared to them and the DVLA.