These Toll Roads, Tunnels and Bridges Offer Concessions for Motability Customers
Discover which toll roads and bridges in the UK offer free crossing for disabled people.
Some toll roads, tunnels, and bridges offer free access for disabled people. The concession and the requirement for eligibility vary with each operator. Some operators also require an application before travelling.
As a Motability Scheme customer, all vehicles are automatically exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). This is a qualifying criteria for concession at some toll roads, bridges and tunnels. You can be sure to travel with peace of mind through these congestions. Make sure you check the criteria of each operator in advance.
We have created a useful guide about where you can travel for free.
Motorways
Dartford Crossing
If your vehicle is exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty, you can travel for free via Dartford Crossing. Note that all Vertu Motors Motability Scheme vehicles are automatically registered as exempt.
The toll's automatic number plate recognition cameras will recognise your vehicle. This leaves you free to travel without presenting any documents or registering.
If you are a Motability Scheme customer and get a toll penalty charge, please get in touch with Motability on 0300 456 4566. Your vehicle may not have been registered properly at the dealership.
M6 Toll
The M6 Toll in the West Midlands offers free access for disabled individuals. However, you must apply for the exemption prior to travelling.
The Blue Badge scheme alone is not enough to be eligible for the M6 Toll Mobility exemption. To apply, you must provide proof 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 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
To apply for the M6 Toll Mobility Exemption and read more about the requirements, visit the M6 Toll website.
Bridges and Tunnels on Main Roads
Humber Bridge
If you are disabled, you can apply for a concession for the Humber Bridge toll charges. The bridge requires the application to be made in advance.
Your vehicle must be fully exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) to apply for the exemption. A disabled person is not required to be the driver of the vehicle but must be present in the vehicle at the time of the crossing.
To be eligible for the concession, you must also be a recipient of one of the following:
- Higher Rate of Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance
- Enhanced Rate of the Personal Independence Payments
Itchen Bridge
If you are disabled, you can apply for an exemption from the Itchen Bridge toll charges. The application must be sent prior to travelling.
To apply, you must be part of the Blue Badge scheme as well as a recipient of one of the following benefits:
- Higher rate of the Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance
- 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
- War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement
In your application, include evidence of one of the above criteria and a photocopy of both sides of your Blue Badge. The evidence of the benefits must be a recently received letter.
Mersey Gateway Bridge and Silver Jubilee Bridge
You can cross the Mersey Gateway Bridge and the Silver Jubilee Bridge if you are a Blue Badge holder. You must register in advance to travel over the bridges without a toll charge.
To register, you must pay a one-off £5 registration fee. If you fail to register before crossing one of the bridges, you will pay the full unregistered charge of each crossing. This must be paid by 11.59pm on the day to avoid a Penalty Charge Notice.
Tamar Bridge
If you are disabled, you can cross the Tamar Bridge free of charge. However, you must apply prior to travelling. If accepted for the exemption, you will receive a Mobility Concession Smartcard, allowing you to cross the bridge for free.
To be eligible, you must be either:
- A Registered Blind Person
- Have a Disabled tax-exempt vehicle
Or be a recipient of one of the following:
- The Disability Living Allowance with Mobility Component at higher level
- The Personal Independence Payments benefits equivalent to the Disability Living Allowance
- The War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement
You can read more about the eligibility for the concession, by visiting Tamar Bridge website.
Mersey Tunnels: Queensway and Kingsway
All eligible for the Mersey Tunnels Concessionary Travel Scheme can go through the tunnels for free. You must apply for this in advance.
To apply, one of the following must apply to you:
- A Blue Badge holder and receive the highest rate of mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance
- Over 65 years old and receive the highest rate of Attendance Allowance
- A receiver of the enhanced rate of the mobility component of the Personal Independent Payment
- A Receiver of the mobility supplement of a War Pension
Tyne Tunnels
If you are a Blue Badge holder, you can travel through the Tyne Tunnels for free. You must apply for the exemption in advance and provide supporting documentation within the application.
Once your application has been approved, you do not have to stop at the inspection lane. The automatic cameras recognise your vehicle's registration number as an exempt.
Bridges on Minor Roads
Clifton Suspension Bridge
If you are a disabled person, you can make unlimited crossings over the Clifton Suspension Bridge. You must have a 'BS' postcode to be eligible for the concessionary card.
You can purchase the card in advance for £10, and it is valid for 12 months.
To apply, you must be a recipient of one of the following benefits:
- The higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
- The enhanced rate mobility component of the Personal Independence Payment
Whitney on Wye Bridge
Whitney on Wye Bridge does not provide concessions for the disabled. To cross the bridge unlimited times within the same day, you must pay £1.
What is Motability Scheme?
We are proud to support the Motability Scheme, delivering worry-free motoring for disabled people. The Scheme helps the disabled, their families and carers to achieve mobility freedom.
We offer all-inclusive leasing packages to exchange your mobility allowance for a new car. You can find the largest Motability fleet in the UK mainland from Vertu Motors. Choose from a large range of vehicles from leading manufacturers.
Our friendly team of Motability experts are looking forward helping you. You can find the right vehicle from our range, perfect for your needs.