Apply for an unpaid carer permit
Contents
Apply
If you don't already have an account (for your parking permit), you'll need to create one.
You'll need access to an email account to apply online. Need help setting up an email account?
What you need to know
The free unpaid carer permit allows unlimited travel through all six congestion charging locations during charging hours.
The permit only covers the car when being used to travel to or from the premises at which you are providing the unpaid care.
- you are limited to 1 permit
- you are limited to 1 car on your permit
- we will issue up to 2 permits per care recipient's address
How long your permit lasts
Your permit will be valid for 12 months.
You cannot use your permit until we confirm that we have approved your application. Your permit will not be available to use until the scheme begins.
Who can get an unpaid carer permit
To qualify, you must meet at least 1 of these 2 conditions:
- you provide unpaid social care to someone who lives in the Oxford permit area or the central permit area
- you live in the Oxford permit area or central permit area and provide unpaid social care to someone living at any address in Oxfordshire
In addition:
- you or someone you live with must be the registered keeper of the car on your application
- the car on your application must be registered at your home address
You do not qualify if you live at the same address as the person you care for.
Social care
Social care means all forms of personal care and other practical assistance provided for individuals who need it due to:
- old age
- illness
- disability
- pregnancy
- childbirth
- dependence on alcohol or drugs
- other similar circumstances
What you need to get an unpaid carer permit
You must provide the following evidence to support your application:
- the V5C (logbook) or V5C alternative (listed below) of the car on your application. The submitted document must show your home address
- proof of address for the person you care for
- one of these:
- proof that you are registered as a carer with your GP
- proof that you receive carer's allowance
- a scan or photos of both sides of a valid Carer's ID in your name (issued by Carers Oxfordshire)
V5C alternatives
You can use the following documents in place of your V5C:
- the most recent vehicle tax reminder showing your full name, address and postcode
- a garage sales invoice or new keeper supplement (V5C2) - if the vehicle has been purchased within the last 6 weeks
A V5C not registered in your name
If the V5C of the car you use is not registered in your name, you can apply for a permit using one of the following alternatives.
For a company car, you must provide:
- a copy of the V5C
- a letter or email from your employer showing your full name and confirming that only you use the car
For a long-term lease, hire-purchase or other financial agreement, you must provide:
- a copy of the lease agreement showing your full name and address