Ukrainian migrant support hub

A gateway for Ukrainian migrants and those who support them to access information, events and services.
Шлюз для доступу до інформації, подій та послуг для українських мігрантів та тих, хто їх підтримує.

Transport guide

Driving cars and motorcycles
Owning a vehicle
Buying a vehicle

To buy a vehicle you'll need an address where it will be registered. There are no immigration requirements for buying a vehicle in the UK.

You can buy a second-hand vehicle through a local dealership, which may mean you get a warranty. Another option is buying second-hand from a private owner, which is usually cheaper, but can be more risky, especially if the warranty on the vehicle has run out.

Where to get help
Department For Transport
Buy A Vehicle: Step By Step Guide
Getting an MOT

Vehicles need to pass a test called an 'MOT' every year. If the vehicle has problems, they may tell you that you need to get these fixed before it can pass. The MOT is necessary before you can get tax for a vehicle.

Where to get help
Department For Transport
Getting an MOT Information
Vehicle tax

All vehicles need to be taxed and insured. If you don’t have both tax and insurance, you will receive an automatic fine.

Where to get help
Department For Transport
Vehicle Tax Information
Do I still need to pay tax if I won't use the vehicle?

If you do not plan to use your vehicle and want to store it off road, you will need to inform the DVLA.

Where to get help
Department For Transport
Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) Information
Getting vehicle insurance

All vehicles need to be taxed and insured. If you don’t have both tax and insurance, you will receive an automatic fine.

The minimum level of insurance is called ‘third party’, which will cover expenses if you have an accident causing damage to other people or other people’s vehicles, 

Where to get help
Department For Transport
Vehicle Insurance Information
Buying fuel for your vehicle

At a petrol station, you can pay for fuel at the pump if there is a card reader. Before you fill up, insert your debit or credit card, and enter your pin. You can then fill your car and leave.

If there is no card reader, you will need to fill your car first. Leave your car parked where it is, look to see what number your pump is, and then go into the petrol station. Tell the cashier the pump number, and then pay.

How much will fuel cost for a journey?

You can use this fuel cost calculator to estimate how much a particular journey will cost.

Where to get help
Go Compare
Fuel Cost Calculator
Car accidents

If you’re involved in a vehicle accident that has caused damage or injuries, here is what you need to do.

1
Stop your car

The law says that you must stop as soon as it’s safe to do so, even if it seems like a small accident.

Turn off the engine, and then turn on your the car’s hazard lights to show other road users that they need to be careful

2
Check for injuries

Check whether you or anyone involved in the accident are injured. If there’s a medical emergency, call 999.

Calling 999

Dial 999 on a phone to speak to the emergency ambulance, police or fire services.

What should I do if my phone has no credit?

999 calls are free and you do not need credit on your phone.

Can I call 999 if I don’t speak English?

Yes. If you can't speak English, try saying the word ‘help’ in your own language, or say the name of your language. Stay on the line and don't hang up. The operator will try to identify your language and connect you to an interpreter service.

If there is someone nearby who can speak English it may be best to try and show them what has happened and get them to call.

What should I do if my partner is violent, and I can’t talk out loud?

Call 999. After you have connected, press ‘55’ on your phone. You will be transferred to the police. They will ask you simple yes or no questions, which you can respond to by tapping number buttons on your phone.

How do I use 999 if I'm hard of hearing or speech impaired?

If you're using the Relay UK app, type the 999 button. If you're using a textphone, call 18000. You'll then be connected to a Relay Assistant. Tell them which emergency service you need.

Can I send SMS messages to 999?

The emergencySMS service is for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech impairments, letting them send SMS messages to 999. You need to register with this service before you can use it.

Where to get help
BT Group
Contact 999 Using Relay UK
3
If needed, call the police

If the accident is blocking the road, dial 999 and ask for the police.

Calling 999

Dial 999 on a phone to speak to the emergency ambulance, police or fire services.

What should I do if my phone has no credit?

999 calls are free and you do not need credit on your phone.

Can I call 999 if I don’t speak English?

Yes. If you can't speak English, try saying the word ‘help’ in your own language, or say the name of your language. Stay on the line and don't hang up. The operator will try to identify your language and connect you to an interpreter service.

If there is someone nearby who can speak English it may be best to try and show them what has happened and get them to call.

What should I do if my partner is violent, and I can’t talk out loud?

Call 999. After you have connected, press ‘55’ on your phone. You will be transferred to the police. They will ask you simple yes or no questions, which you can respond to by tapping number buttons on your phone.

How do I use 999 if I'm hard of hearing or speech impaired?

If you're using the Relay UK app, type the 999 button. If you're using a textphone, call 18000. You'll then be connected to a Relay Assistant. Tell them which emergency service you need.

Can I send SMS messages to 999?

The emergencySMS service is for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech impairments, letting them send SMS messages to 999. You need to register with this service before you can use it.

Where to get help
BT Group
Contact 999 Using Relay UK
4
Exchange contact details

Give your name and address to the other people who were involved. The law requires this, but you don’t have to give your phone number. 

Ask for their name and address. If they won’t tell you, dial 101 on your phone to speak to the police.

If you have hit a parked car and the owner isn’t there, write your details on a piece of paper and slide this under the windscreen wipers so they can find it.

At this stage, it’s usually best not to admit that the accident was your fault. The police or insurance companies will decide that later.

5
Collect other information

If possible make a note of the following:

  • the vehicle registration number of all vehicles involved
  • insurance details of the other drivers involved
  • who is the registered owner of all vehicles involved, and their name and address.
  • details about the accident including the time and date, weather conditions, and a list of damage caused and any injuries
  • photos of the scene of the accident

If there are other witnesses, you could ask for their contact details now.

6
Report the accident

You should report the accident to the police within 24 hours if you couldn’t exchange contact details with the other driver, or if anyone was injured. You can do this online, or at a police station.

If you want to make an insurance claim, contact the insurer as soon as you can. If there is very little damage, such as a small mark or scratch, you might not want to make an insurance claim.

Where to get help
Police
Report A Road Traffic Incident
What do I need to drive in the UK?

You must have a valid drivers licence, a valid MOT certificate for your vehicle, vehicle insurance and vehicle tax.

Where to get help
Department For Transport
Legal Obligations Of Drivers And Riders
Can I use my foreign drivers licence in the UK?

You can check whether your licence is valid using this tool:

Where to get help
Department For Transport
Driving On A Non-GB Licence
What are the rules of the road?

All vehicles drive on the left hand side of the road, and all speed limits are in miles per hour. Everyone in a car must wear a seatbelt, and the law requires that young children must be in a child seat by law.

You can read the full rules of the road here:

Where to get help
Department For Transport
UK Highway Code
Getting around for people with disabilities
Public transport

There are schemes that offer discounted or free travel for people with disabilities.

Most public transport is accessible to wheelchair users, but it’s best to contact the travel company before travel to check if your planned journey will be possible and to reserve a space.

Transport for West Midlands offer advice for people travelling with accessibility needs, including free accessibility products. 

Where to get help
Transport For West Midlands
Travelling With Accessibility Needs
Free or discounted travel

If you have a disability you might be able to get a travel card. This will give you free or discounted travel on public transport.

Where to get help
Transport For West Midlands
Disabled Person's Pass
National Rail
Disabled Persons Railcard
Taxis

If you’re travelling by taxi, tell them when you book if you will need a wheelchair-accessible taxi. If you can't get out of your wheelchair, the taxi needs to have a ramp and restraints to hold the wheelchair while driving.

You may need to contact a few different taxi companies, as not all of them will have a suitable vehicle available.

Buses

Most buses are accessible to wheelchair users, with featuers such as a low floor, ramps, and dedicated wheelchair spaces. But this does vary by area and the specific bus route, so you may want to contact the bus company before you travel to make sure.

Trains

There is support available at train stations for people with mobility needs, or who need help with luggage or getting around the station. This is called the 'Passenger Assist' service. The facilities at each station varies, so it's best to book this in advance.

Where to get help
National Rail
Passenger Assist
Coaches

Many coaches are accessible to wheelchair users, with lifts, ramps and dedicated wheelchair spaces. But it's safest to contact the coach company in advance to check if this is available, and to reserve a space. If you use a powered chair, be ready to tell them the dimensions and weight of the chair, as there may be restrictions.

Coach companies probably won’t accept mobility scooters unless they can be folded up.

Where to get help
National Express
National Express Accessibility And Inclusion
Megabus
Passengers Requiring Assistance
Community transport schemes

Many areas have community transport schemes which help people who have difficulty using public transport. These schemes might include a minibus or volunteer drivers.

Where to get help
Community Transport Association
Find Your Local CT Provider
Parking your car
Blue Badge Scheme

This is a national scheme that lets people with mobility problems park close to where they need to go. Often you will be able to park for free, but not always.

The Blue Badge lets you park for a limited time in some areas where it's normally not allowed, such as on double yellow lines. But there are still some places where Blue Badge holders aren't allowed to park, including bus lanes, taxi bays, and areas where loading or unloading isn't allowed.

Where to get help
Department For Transport
Blue Badge Scheme
Disabled parking pays

A disabled parking bay is a reserved area on the road for people who have a Blue Badge. If you would like to have a disabled parking bay near your home, you can apply through your council.

Where to get help
Age UK
How To Apply For A Disabled Parking Bay
Getting a wheelchair or scooter

You can borrow mobility aids like walking sticks and wheelchairs from the NHS. Speak to a GP or hospital staff about your needs.

The Red Cross also let you borrow or rent mobility aids.

Shopmobility also rent mobility aids out for people to do shopping or visit leisure facilities in a town or shopping centre.

Where to get help
National Health Service
Walking Aids, Wheelchairs And Mobility Scooters
British Red Cross
Find Your Local Mobility Aids Service
ShopMobility UK
Find A Shopmobility Centre