Part of the Motability Scheme? Cross These Toll Roads and Bridges for Free
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.
Motorways
Dartford Crossing
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
M6 Toll
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:
- You have a V5 Vehicle Registration Document which displays the vehicle registration number,and you have been classified as ‘Disabled’ for the exemption of road tax.
- You have a confirmation letter that shows your vehicle road tax status as ‘Disabled’ and displays a vehicle registration number under a Motability Vehicle Lease Agreement.
- War pensioner mobility supplement
- Armed Forces Independent Payment
- You are under Disability Living Allowance by virtue of entitlement to the Mobility Component at the Higher Rate.
- You are a disability assistant for children or young people by virtue of entitlement to the Mobility Component at the Higher Rate.
- You receive Personal Independent payment by virtue of entitlement to the Mobility Component at the Enhanced Rate.
For any questions about eligibility or document requirements for the M6 Toll Mobility Exemption, visit the M6 Toll website.
Bridges and Tunnels on Main Roads
Humber Bridge
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:
- Higher Rate of Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance
- Enhanced Rate of the Personal Independence Payments
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.
Itchen Bridge
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:
- A recent letter confirming that you receive the higher rate of the Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance
- A recent letter confirming that you receive Personal Independence Payments at eight points or above against the ‘mobility activities’ criteria – this should include both ‘moving around’ as well as ‘journey planning’ criteria
- Evidence that you receive the War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement
To apply, send a photocopy of both sides of your blue badge as well as evidence of one of the above.
Mersey Gateway Bridge and Silver Jubilee Bridge
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.
Tamar Bridge
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:
- Be a Registered Blind Person
- A recipient of the Disability Living Allowance with Mobility Component at higher level
- Have a Disabled tax-exempt vehicle
- A recipient of the Personal Independence Payments benefits equivalent to the Disability Living Allowance
- A recipient of the War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement
To check the criteria and read more about the Tamar Bridge concession for disabled people, read more.
Mersey Tunnels: Queensway and Kingsway
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:
- You are a Blue Badge holder and receive the highest rate of mobility component of the disability Living Allowance
- You are over 65 years old and receive the highest rate of Attendance Allowance
- You are a recipient of the enhanced rate of the mobility component of the Personal Independent Payment
- You are a recipient of the mobility supplement of a War Pension
Visit the Mersey Tunnels’ website for more information.
Tyne Tunnels
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.
Bridges on Minor Roads
Clifton Suspension Bridge
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 higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
- The enhanced rate mobility component of the Personal Independence Payment
Whitney on Wye Bridge
The bridge does not currently offer concessions for disabled people. For £1 everyone gets unlimited crossings within the same day.
About the Motability Scheme
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.