Many drivers, especially seniors, could avoid hefty new car tax fees next year with certain exemptions in place
The new rules are set to raise the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) for most petrol and diesel cars. Even electric car owners will have to pay for the first time. Ouch! But the biggest hit will be for folks buying brand-new cars, with some fees doubling.
If you’re driving a car that emits over 255g/km, you could see your bill jump from £2,745 to a whopping £5,490 in the first year. That’s a serious chunk of change!
But don’t worry, there are some exemptions. If you have a disability and get certain benefits, you might not have to pay at all. This includes those on the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment.
Motorway.co.uk even shared a handy tip: if a disabled person uses your vehicle, you can claim a disability exemption when filing for road tax. Just remember, you can only use this for one vehicle at a time.
Interestingly, this change seems to hit older drivers the hardest. Research shows that many drivers over 70 have multiple health issues, which could affect their driving and eligibility for exemptions.
In fact, around 30,000 cases are being looked at, with many seniors juggling more than one health condition. Drivers in their 60s are also feeling the pinch, so it’s definitely something to keep an eye on.
