England and Wales

If you are disabled, you have the right to free bus travel.

Scotland

If you're over 60, or have a disability, you could be eligible for free or subsidised travel to get around Scotland and your local area.

See the Transport Scotland website for more information on Concessionary travel in Scotland.

Northern Ireland

You get free travel if you are registered blind and half-price travel if you get certain disability-related benefits in Northern Ireland. For more information about travel concessions, see the NI Direct information on free bus travel and concessions.

England, Scotland and Wales

You may qualify for a Disabled Person's Railcard, which entitles you and an accompanying adult to one-third off the price of a rail ticket.

Northern Ireland

Disabled people in Northern Ireland may be eligible for half price rail tickets, see the NI Direct information on rail travel concessions

Your local authority might offer a scheme to help with taxi costs if you have a disability.

These schemes vary a lot. 

To find out whether your council offers a taxi scheme and whether you would be eligible for it, contact your local authority.

Non-emergency Patient Transport Services (PTS)

You may be eligible for non-emergency patient transport services (PTS). This service provides free transport to and from hospital for if you:

• need additional medical support during your journey
• find it difficult to walk
• are a parent or a guardian of children who need visit to hospital

PTS may not be available in all areas. You will need to speak to your GP or the healthcare professional who referred you to hospital. They will tell you if you’re eligible for PTS and how to apply.

Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS)

If your GP or the healthcare professional refers you to hospital or other NHS premises for an appointment, you may be able to claim a refund of reasonable travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS).

Please visit NHS Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme to find out eligibility and how to claim.

Some disabled people do not have to pay vehicle tax.

Some disabled people can get a 50% discount on their vehicle tax.

You do not have to pay vehicle tax if you get one of these benefits:

• High rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
• Enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment
• Enhanced rate mobility component of Adult Disability Payment
• High rate mobility component of Child Disability Payment
• War Pensioners Mobility Supplement
• Armed Forces Independence Payment

You need to apply to be registered as not having to pay vehicle tax - you can't just stop paying it. You can find information on how to apply on the gov.uk website.

You can get 50% off your vehicle tax if you get one of these benefits:

• Standard rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment
• Standard rate mobility component of Adult Disability Payment

You need to apply for the discount. You can find information on how to apply on the gov.uk website.

What does a Blue Badge mean?

The Blue Badge Parking Permit allows people who qualify for the scheme – as a driver or a passenger – to park close to where they need to go. It also provides exemption from some tolls at river crossings, bridges and tunnels as well as the London Congestion Charge and some Clean Air Zone charges - although in most cases you have to apply in advance to qualify. It can also be used in some European Union countries.

The scheme is available throughout the UK but it is slightly different in the different countries of the UK. There are different rules about who can get a Blue Badge and different rules about where a Blue Badge allows you to park.

There are also restrictions in the following London boroughs, which have their own concessions:

• City of London
• City of Westminster
• Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
• Part of the London Borough of Camden.

Can I get a Blue Badge?

There are different rules on who can get a Blue Badge depending on what country of the UK you live in.

England's rules

Scotland's rules

Wales' rules

Northern Ireland's rules

How do I apply?

England, Wales, Scotland

You can apply for a Blue Badge online on the gov.uk website.

Northern Ireland

You can apply for a Blue Badge online on the nidirect website.

Blue Badges are free in Wales. In England and Northern Ireland they cost £10 and in Scotland they cost £20.

Reviewed: July 2022

Carers can sometimes get travel concessions to accompany a person with disabilities on public transport. For example, if the person has a Disabled Person's Railcard, this qualifies you to a discount when you travel with them by train.

In Scotland, carers can get free travel on buses if you are travelling with someone who has a National Entitlement Card and they need someone to travel with them to keep them safe.

Updated: July 2022