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Keeping mobile
The key to receiving help with getting around out of the house is the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Not only does this entitle you to money to spend how you wish on transport, but also opens up other benefits and discounts, including:
Vehicle Excise Duty (Road Tax) exemption. You will need form DLA404 (MLS303 in Northern Ireland) from the Benefits Agency and presented with your car log and form V10
Motability.
Driving, CMT, the law and insurance
A diagnosis of CMT means that you must tell the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) Drivers Medical Group. You must also tell them if your CMT gets worse or you have any changes in your physical abilities.
People with a neurological condition, such as CMT, will have to fill in form B1 and give written consent to the DVLA for them to talk to your doctor and access your personal medical files. (Form B1 can be downloaded from here)
Failure to inform the DVLA is a criminal offence that may be subject to a fine of up to £1000. Licence holders need to understand that many insurance companies take the view that insurance cover is invalid if a medical condition is not declared to themselves and the DVLA.
The majority of people with CMT are considered to be quite safe to drive, both now and in the future and are given a full ‘till 70’ driving licence, however occasionally the DVLA may put restrictions on your licence or ask you to make adaptations to your car.
DVLA standards are updated by the Honorary Medical Advisory Panel every six month and if you are ever in doubt, read the DVLA’s ‘At a glance guide to the current medical standards of fitness to drive’ booklet on medical conditions and restrictions. This can either be downloaded from their website, or sent to you in the post.
Motability – getting a car or a wheelchair
If you are getting the higher rate of the Mobility Component of the DLA (or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement) you may be able to get help, on preferential terms with:
hiring a new car
buying on hire purchase new or used cars or wheelchairs.
Motability also runs its own lease and hire purchase scheme.
Blue Badge
The Blue Badge scheme provides help with parking for ‘people with severe walking difficulties who travel either as drivers or passengers’. It has fully replaced the old Orange Badge and is recognised, with variations, throughout the European Union. It is issued by your local authority, so contact your county council for how to apply. Further information can be found here - http://bit.ly/v26pfZ
Date updated - 21/11/2011
