You may be entitled to a free tax disc if you're a person with disabilities who gets the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance, War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement or have an invalid carriage.
To claim exemption from vehicle tax, the vehicle must be registered in your name or registered in the name of someone you nominate to drive for you (a nominee).
The vehicle must only be used for your purposes, for example shopping or getting prescriptions. If it is being used by the nominee or someone else for their own personal needs, then the exemption will be lost and the normal rate of vehicle tax must be paid.
Before you can get a free tax disc, you'll need to apply for an exemption certificate from the agency that issues your benefit. The exemption certificate will show your name and that of the nominee, if you have nominated someone to drive for you. Some vehicles don't need an exemption certificate to tax - see 'invalid carriages' below.
Contact the Disability Living Allowance section of the Disability and Carers Service. Ask for exemption certificate DLA 404(NI). Telephone 028 9090 6182 or textphone 0800 243 787.
Contact the Veterans Agency and ask for exemption certificate WPA 442. Veterans Agency, Norcross, Blackpool, FY5 3GZ. Telephone: 0800 169 2277 or textphone: 0800 169 3458.
Get your free tax disc at any DVA local office or by post to DVA, Coleraine, BT51 3TA. You can renew it each year over the phone, in person or by post.
If you are in hospital for more than 28 days - or 84 days if you claim exemption for a child - the exemption from vehicle tax will still apply, as long as the vehicle continues to be used for your direct purposes. This applies even if you lose your entitlement to Disability Living Allowance as a result of your stay in hospital.
If you sell the vehicle or your entitlement ends, you should return the disability tax disc to the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Coleraine, BT51 3TB or your nearest DVLA office.
If you no longer qualify for vehicle tax exemption, you will need to tax your car in the appropriate tax class and pay the correct rate of vehicle tax.
You don't need an exemption certificate to get a free tax disc for an invalid carriage. The vehicle must be registered in your name, weigh less than 509kg and be adapted, used or kept on a road for a person with disabilities.
Your vehicle doesn't need to be registered or display a tax disc if it weighs less than 113.4kg, is for footway use only and has a maximum speed of four mph.
People with disabilities
