Older drivers above the age of 70 are among the road users hit with new fees earlier this year, in a blow to cash-strapped road users.
Older drivers were hit with new charges earlier this year (Image: Getty)
Elderly drivers and pensioners above the age of 70 are still battling new car tax fees, which came into effect earlier this year. Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rates are updated every Spring in line with inflation, with new charges introduced from April 1. Older drivers are not exempt from VED fees solely based on age, with discounts only in place for disabled drivers or those using much older vehicles registered over 40 years ago.
The rule means that healthy over-70s using any car registered after 1986 will likely not qualify for savings and will still need to pay the same rate as other younger motorists. VED fees are solely based on the type of car motorists own, with different tax bands in place depending on the registration date and total vehicle emissions.
Cars built after 2017 saw VED fees increase from £195 to £200 per year on April 1. However, fees dramatically vary for registrations between 2001 and 2017, with rates calculated based on overall emissions.
The highest-polluting cars producing over 255g/km of CO2 are now charged up to £790 to use the roads. Older drivers with the keys to modern classics registered before 2001 but after 1986 would have also noticed price rises.
Owners of these vehicles are now paying up to £15 more to drive since the start of the new tax year, with total bills for engines above 1549cc now sitting at £375 per year.
Expensive Car Supplement fees, an extra charge applied to new cars with a list price of over £40,000 (£50,000 for EVs) also increased from £425 to £440. However, some older drivers suffering from disabilities will be able to reduce their car tax bill to zero, with exemptions in place.
Elderly drivers have to pay the same VED fees as other motorists (Image: Getty)
Motorists can apply for disability exemption if they receive the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or the enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Meanwhile, those who receive the enhanced rate mobility component of Adult Disability Payment (ADP), the Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance and the higher rate mobility component of Child Disability Payment can also claim not to pay.
The same can be said for pensioners receiving the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement and Armed Forces Independence Payment.