28/03/2023 16:47
Find out which toll roads and congestion schemes offer a concession for disabled people in the UK.
Several tolls on motorways, tunnels and bridges in the UK offer a concession for eligible disabled people. Each operator has individual criteria and an application process for those who are eligible.
Most tolls simply require evidence that you are part of the Blue Badge scheme to let you travel freely. However, some operators require registering or applying for the exemption in advance.
As a Bristol Street Motors Motability Scheme customer, your journeys are made easier. All our Motability Scheme vehicles are automatically exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). As this is a qualifying criteria for concession at some toll roads, tunnels and bridges, you can travel through these congestions with peace of mind. We recommend checking the criteria with each operator before travelling to avoid any penalty charges.
Read on to find out which operators grant you free access across the UK.
You can drive through Dartford Crossing, Exeter, for free if your vehicle is exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). All Bristol Street Motors Motability Scheme vehicles are exempt.
The automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras analyse each number plate, leaving you free to enjoy the ride. You don’t have to present any documents or register as long as your vehicle is registered as exempt.
However, if you receive a penalty charge and you drive a Motability Scheme vehicle, please get in touch with Motability on 0300 456 4566. Your vehicle may not have been registered correctly at the dealership.
Learn more about Dartford Crossing charges
To travel free through the M6 Toll in the West Midlands, you must apply for this in advance. The Blue Badge scheme alone does not specify if you are eligible for the exemption.
You can be eligible for the M6 Toll Mobility Exemption if you have evidence of one of the following:
For any questions about eligibility or document requirements for the M6 Toll Mobility Exemption, visit the M6 Toll website.
If you are disabled, you can cross the Humber Bridge for free, but you should apply in advance. The Humber Bridge Board allows concession for those receiving one of the following benefits:
Your vehicle must also be fully exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) for you to be eligible for the concession. Note that the disabled person is not required to be the driver of the vehicle at the time of the crossing but must be in the vehicle.
The Itchen Bridge at Hampshire offers an exemption for the bridge tolls for disabled individuals. You must apply in advance to be exempt from paying the toll.
You must be a holder of a Blue Badge and provide evidence of one of the following:
To apply, send a photocopy of both sides of your blue badge as well as evidence of one of the above.
To cross the Mersey Gateway Bridge and Silver Jubilee Bridge, you must be a Blue Badge holder. The eligible will be able to drive over both bridges in Cheshire without a toll after registration. The registration for the Blue Badge costs £5.
If you do not register before crossing the bridges, you are required to pay a full unregistered charge for each journey. If you fail to pay the charge by 11.59pm on the day of driving over one of these bridges, you will receive a Penalty Charge Notice.
Disabled people can cross the Tamar Bridge in Devon for free, but an advanced application is required. Those eligible will receive a Mobility Concession Smartcard, which grants free access across the bridge.
To apply, you must meet one of the criteria below:
To check the criteria and read more about the Tamar Bridge concession for disabled people, read more.
To travel through the tunnels without a charge, you must apply for the Mersey Tunnels Concessionary Travel Scheme. The application must be completed prior to travelling through the tunnels.
You will be eligible to travel through the Liverpool tunnels if you meet one of the following criteria:
Visit the Mersey Tunnels’ website for more information.
Located in the Tyne and Wear region, anyone with a Blue Badge can travel freely through the Tyne Tunnels. To travel through the tunnel for free, you must apply for the exemption and send the required documentation in advance.
After your application has been approved and you have received confirmation about this, you do not have to stop at the inspection lane. The cameras will recognise your vehicle’s registration number automatically.
The Clifton Suspension Bridge at Bristol offers unlimited crossings for disabled people with ‘BS’ postcode. The concessionary card is available to purchase for £10 and is valid for 12 months. The application must be sent in advance.
To be eligible for the concessionary cars, you must be recipient of one of the following:
The bridge does not currently offer concessions for disabled people. For £1 everyone gets unlimited crossings within the same day.
Bristol Street Motors is proud to support affordable motoring for disabled people. The Motability Scheme offers an all-inclusive leasing package to exchange your mobility allowance for a car.
The scheme helps the eligible, their families and carers to become mobile. Enjoy the reassurance of a new car while not having to worry about the cost, servicing and tax. You can also name up to three drivers on the insurance and will receive free breakdown cover.
Our skilled experts will help to find the right vehicle for your individual needs. Browse our latest Motability vehicle deals today.