The Motability Scheme offers a Driving Lessons Grant that can provide up to 40 hours of funded driving lessons for disabled individuals receiving certain disability benefits. This grant is available to those who have a Motability Scheme vehicle or one arriving within the next four months, hold a provisional UK driving licence, have passed their theory test, and receive a means-tested benefit such as Universal Credit, Income Support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or income-based Job Seekers Allowance.
Eligibility for the Driving Lessons Grant
To access the grant, applicants must be in receipt of the higher or enhanced rates of disability benefits including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment (ADP), or Disability Living Allowance (DLA). The grant is arranged through the AA Driving School and can also cover familiarisation lessons if a grant for driving adaptations has been received.
The Motability Scheme website states: “The Driving Lessons Grant can be used if you're learning to drive for the first time. If you are already a full licence holder, but we have grant-funded a change in driving adaptations to your Scheme vehicle, we may be able to fund familiarisation lessons.”
What the Grant Covers and Excludes
The grant covers up to 40 hours of lessons, which may be sufficient for many learners as the average learner driver needs between 40-50 hours before being test-ready. However, the grant does not cover the cost of theory or practical driving tests, familiarisation lessons without a grant for adaptations, lessons for family members or carers, or adaptations like dual controls for self-funded lessons.
Qualifying Mobility Allowances for the Motability Scheme
To join the Motability Scheme or the Accessible Vehicles and Equipment Scheme (AVES) in Scotland, you must receive one of the following qualifying mobility allowances with at least 12 months remaining: Higher rate mobility component of PIP, Enhanced rate mobility component of ADP, Higher rate mobility component of DLA, Higher rate mobility component of Child Disability Payment (CDP), Higher rate mobility component of Scottish Adult DLA, Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP), or War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement (WPMS).
The Motability website clarifies: “You cannot apply to join the Scheme if you receive a lower rate or component of the mobility allowance or if you receive Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).”
New Changes for Customers in England and Wales
From July 1, new customers in England and Wales will experience changes including a mileage allowance of 30,000 miles for a three-year lease (50,000 for a five-year WAV lease), an excess mileage charge of 25p per mile, up to six tyre replacements during a three-year lease (10 for a five-year WAV lease), and a £22 administration fee for a VE103 certificate for travel outside the UK. Existing leases remain unaffected.
Accessible Vehicles and Equipment Scheme in Scotland
Social Security Scotland guidelines state: “When you lease a vehicle through the scheme, it will be with our authorised provider, Motability Operations Ltd.” Applicants must be 16 or over and able to manage their own payments, or a parent/guardian or appointee may apply on behalf of a child or individual receiving the qualifying benefit.
Full details on eligibility and application processes are available on the Motability Scheme website and mygov.scot for Scottish users.
