With talk of the expansion of the ULEZ to all boroughs in London what does it mean for your wheelchair car?

The term "ULEZ" stands for Ultra Low Emission Zone. It is an initiative that began in 2019 in London and it is primarily aimed at reducing air pollution and improving air quality by discouraging the use of high-polluting vehicles (wheelchair cars included) that emit high levels of harmful pollutants, particularly nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter. Air pollution is a major health problem, particularly for people with respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD it is expected to reduce air pollution by around 30%. The ULEZ sets specific emissions standards for all types of vehicles and wheelchair cars entering designated zones and charges a fee for those that do not meet the required emission criteria. Potential charges for those wheelchair cars and other vehicles who do not qualify for any exemption will need to pay £12.50 per day and this applied 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

From research carried out the ULEZ policies typically take into account the impact on disabled drivers and reliability on their wheelchair access car. There are exemptions and help available for disabled drivers and their adapted wheelchair car and potentially this exemption can last until October 2027.

There are three classes of ‘grace period’ from paying ULEZ charges, these include:

1. 'Disabled' and 'Disabled Passenger Vehicle' Tax Class grace period

Disabled people whose vehicles are registered with the DVLA as having 'disabled' or 'disabled passenger vehicle' tax class benefit from a grace period which exempts them from paying the ULEZ charge until 24 October 2027. This is valid as long as their vehicle doesn't change tax class..

If your 'disabled' or 'disabled passenger vehicle' tax class vehicle is registered in the UK, you don't need to register with us to benefit from the grace period. If your vehicle is registered outside the UK, you are still exempt from paying the ULEZ charge during the grace period, but you will need to register with us.
Disabled people over state pension age whose vehicle does not have 'disabled' or 'disabled passenger vehicle' tax class can apply directly to us for the grace period if they:

• Are in receipt of Attendance Allowance AND

• Hold a Blue Badge

From 25 October 2027 you will need to pay the daily ULEZ charge for your 'disabled' or 'disabled passenger vehicle' tax class vehicle if it does not meet the ULEZ emission standards.

2. Wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV) grace period

This grace period is open to wheelchair-accessible cars and vans that do not meet ULEZ emissions standards and that have been converted by mobility experts to allow a disabled person to access the vehicle as driver or passenger. To be eligible, the WAV needs to be fitted with one of the following adaptations:

• A permanently fitted foldable ramp or a powered lift allowing the wheelchair user to enter the vehicle

• An electric or hydraulic hoist to lift a person or wheelchair into the vehicle

• A swivel seat on either the passenger or driver side of the vehicle

• An accelerator ring permanently fitted to the steering wheel of the vehicle

The vehicle must be registered with the DVLA (or equivalent EEA body) in the name of the applicant. To apply for this grace period, you will need to provide images of your vehicle's logbook (V5C), a photo ID of the applicant and three images of your vehicle's permanent conversion for a disabled person's use.

You can only apply for a grace period for one WAV. Successful applicants will not need to pay the ULEZ charge for their vehicle until 25 October 2027.

3. Disabled Benefits grace period

This grace period is for people receiving certain disability benefits or those that meet the outlined medical criteria.

Applicants will need to be receiving one of the following benefits:

• Standard or enhanced mobility rate of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

• Higher mobility rate of Disability Living Allowance

• Higher mobility rate of Child Disability Payment

• War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement

• Armed Forces Independence Payment

• Standard or enhanced rate of Adult Disability Payment (ADP)

Or, meet one of the following criteria:

• Be a parent or guardian of a child under the age of 3 with a medical condition that means the child always needs to be accompanied by bulky medical equipment

• Be a parent or guardian of a child under the age of 3 with a medical condition that means the child always needs to be near a vehicle in case they need emergency medical treatment

• Have a terminal illness, which means you cannot walk or find walking very difficult

• Be registered blind (severely sight impaired)

It's essential to check the specific ULEZ rules and guidelines to understand the available exemptions or discounts. Here is the link

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/discounts-and-exemptions