Frequently Asked Questions

What if my allowance runs out before the end of the agreement?

The Department for Work and Pensions will send you a renewal pack to re-assess your claim. If your mobility allowance is extended, your Motability lease agreement will continue as normal. If for any reason your allowance is not renewed or extended whether you are a car customer or scooter customer, you should contact our Customer Services team to discuss the options. You would not be expected to pay the remaining amount of the agreement but you may need to return the car.

We believe in supporting the independence of disabled people through the provision of grants to help with personal or other transportation. Our support enables disabled people to do everyday activities and support them in living independently. Our aims

We aim to provide:

The highest standard of service to those who apply to us for a charitable grant.
Transportation options that provide the best possible value for money.
Financial sustainability for the long-term for all of our beneficiaries.

Lifestyle is a magazine that is sent free of charge to all Motability customers every three months to keep them up to date with all our news.

If you are not a customer but would like to receive the magazine, please send a cheque for £10 to cover one year’s subscription (made payable to Big Publishing Ltd) to: 22 Stephenson Way, London, NW1 2HD.

Through our Driving Lessons Grant Programme, Motability can provide grants towards the cost of learning to drive for disabled people who have a provisional licence and want a full licence. We can also provide grants to disabled people who already have a licence but need familiarisation lessons; for example, if they need to get used to new driving adaptations.

If you have a provisional driving licence, we can offer up to 40 hours of driving lessons to help you pass your driving test. This also includes a free study pack to support you through the driving theory test. Your first lesson will usually be two hours long, so you can get used to the vehicle and any adaptations or controls it may have. You will need to pay for both the theory and practical driving tests.

How you cannot use your car

We take misuse of your car very seriously. This means things like:

Not using it for the disabled person’s benefit
You or someone else driving without insurance or while you’re banned
Using it in a criminal act
Lending, sub-leasing or selling it
Using it for business reasons we haven’t agreed with you, like as a taxi or for deliveries
Not taking good care of it

If we find you’re misusing your car, we might terminate your lease, stop you from getting another Scheme vehicle, and send you the bill for any repairs or estimated loss in its sale value.

The Motability Scheme enables disabled people to get mobile by exchanging their mobility allowance to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair. The Eligibility Checker tool and the information below will help you to find out if you may be eligible to apply to join the Scheme.

To be eligible to join the Motability Scheme, you need to receive one of the following mobility allowances and you must have at least 12 months’ award length remaining. Please note that the Attendance Allowance cannot be used to lease a car through the Scheme.

What is the Higher Rate Mobility Component?
The Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (HRMC DLA) is provided by the Department for Work and Pensions. This allowance can be used to cover the cost of a Motability Scheme lease agreement.

This allowance is currently £64.50 per week (as of 11/04/2022).

You may be aware that the government is gradually replacing DLA with Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for disabled people aged between 16 and State Pension age. In Scotland, DLA and PIP are being replaced with Child Disability Payment and Adult Disability Payment .

Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (ERMC PIP) It’s to help with the extra costs of living with a long-term health condition or disability. It is not means-tested, or affected by earnings or savings. If you’re awarded the higher rate mobility part of PIP, with at least 12 months left, you’re eligible to apply for the Motability Scheme.

This allowance is currently £64.50 per week (as of 11/04/2022).

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS) It helps you with any extra mobility costs you might have because of a disability caused by military service. It’s provided by Veterans UK, and if you receive it, you’re eligible to join the Motability Scheme.

This allowance is currently £72 per week (as of 11/04/2022).

Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) This is for service personnel and veterans who have been seriously injured in service on or after 6 April 2005. It’s extra money to cover any costs you might have because of your injury.

This allowance is currently £64.50 per week (as of 11/04/2022).

What is Adult Disability Payment? It’s to help you with extra costs if you live in Scotland and you have a disability that affects your everyday life. It’s been introduced by Social Security Scotland, which is taking over disability assistance payments from the DWP for people living in Scotland. It’s replacing Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for people living in Scotland aged between 16 years and State Pension age.

This allowance is currently £64.50 per week (as of 11/04/2022).

The Attendance Allowance cannot be used to lease a car through the Motability Scheme.

To be eligible to join the Motability Scheme, you must receive one of these disability allowances:

Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Adult Disability Payment (Scotland)
Higher Rate Mobility Component of Child Disability Payment (Scotland)
War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)

You will need to have at least 12 months remaining on your allowance when you apply.

How the Motability Scheme works

Exchange your qualifying mobility allowance for a brand-new car, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAVWheelchair Accessible Vehicle), scooter or powered wheelchair, so you can enjoy more freedom and independence.

Can I join the Scheme?

Yes, as long as you receive a qualifying mobility allowance with at least 12 months left. You can check right now – just answer a few questions.

Which type of vehicle suits me best?

Different vehicles suit different people, so we’ll help you decide between our vehicle types and any adaptations. We’ll help you make sure you’re making the right choice for you.

How do I pay?

We’ll take your payments straight from your allowance provider, to make paying simple. So you know – you might need to top this up with an Advance Payment.

How do I apply and order?

You can start applying online if it’s a car or a WAVWheelchair Accessible Vehicle. Once you’ve had a test drive and you’ve found a vehicle you like, visit a Motability Scheme dealer and they’ll order it for you.

How do I get my vehicle?

You’ll pick it up from your local dealer, if it’s a car. If it’s a different vehicle, they’ll deliver it to your home. Once you’re happy with it, you can start enjoying your vehicle.