Could you qualify for significant tax relief and grants off the price of a new car from Stuarts Garages? 

The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme, which was reformed earlier this year to make the procedure for claiming simpler, provides a range of tax reliefs linked to the purchase and use of specially adapted vehicles by drivers and passengers with a disability. 

Under the scheme, a qualifying disabled driver or passenger can claim:

·         Remission or repayment of vehicle registration tax (VRT)

·         Repayment of value-added tax (VAT) on the purchase of a vehicle

·         Repayment of VAT on the cost of adapting a vehicle

Other additional exemptions and benefits, dependent on certain criteria include, exemption from motor tax on the vehicle, an exemption from toll road fees and a fuel grant.

To qualify for tax relief under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme, the applicant must have a valid Primary Medical Certificate, which confirms a severe and permanent disability, which falls within the application criteria. This can be applied for through a local Health Service Office.

The scheme applies to new vehicles and in limited instances used vehicles. As well as disabled drivers, a family member of a disabled passenger can also qualify for relief if they are living with and are responsible for the transport of the disabled person in question. The scheme has also recently been amended to allow certain charitable organisations access.

The maximum rebate amounts available under the scheme are: 

·         Disabled drivers: €10,000

·         Disabled passengers: €16,000

·         Specifically adapted vehicles for drivers with severe disabilities: €16,000

·         Extensively adapted vehicles for drivers and passengers: €22,000

·         Wheelchair accessible adaptations: €48,000 for a disabled driver and €32,000 for a disabled passenger.

These reliefs are subject to certain qualifying criteria and there are also additional restrictions on vehicle disposal within a set time limit.

Successful scheme applicants can also claim exemption for motor tax and an exemption from toll-fees on all Irish toll roads under the Disability Toll Exemption Scheme using an issued disc. Qualifying persons without a disc can still travel toll-free by going to the manned tollbooth and showing their tax disc.

Applicants who qualify for the scheme may also qualify for a fuel grant. Under this, the successful applicant is paid per litre to up to a maximum of 2,730 litres per calendar year. This is currently paid at a rate of €0.636 for petrol and €0.535 for diesel.

Once an application has been approved the Revenue Commissioners will issue a letter of authorisation to allow a vehicle to be registered. Just give this letter to a member of the Stuarts Garages sales team and we can complete the registration process and organise a VRT/VAT refund on your chosen car.

To obtain the relevant reliefs, vehicle adaptations must be carried out by a specialist company approved by NSAI. Our sales team are also able to advise on the best company to meet your needs.

The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme allows qualifying disabled drivers, or people responsible for a disabled persons transportation, the opportunity to claim very significant relief on the cost of a vehicle as well as many other benefits. Stuarts Garages have already helped a significant number of people to buy a new Mazda or KIA vehicle, claim the relevant reliefs and complete the required adaptations, saving thousands of euro in the process.

Relevant links to the application process and applications forms for the scheme can be found on the revenue.ie website.

You can find comprehensive information on the scheme at: citizensinformation.ie

Further information and advice is also available from the Disabled Driver Association of Ireland.

You can also talk to the Stuarts Garages sales team on 01-462 4100.