Motability Scheme Eligibility

The Motability Scheme helps disabled people get around more independently by letting them swap a qualifying mobility allowance for a brand new car, wheelchair accessible vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair. Whether you can join comes down to the benefit you receive rather than your condition, so the first step is checking your allowance.

You must get one of these disability benefits to join the Motability Scheme:

In every case it’s the mobility part of the benefit that matters, and it needs to be paid at the higher or enhanced rate.

If you’re joining the Scheme for the first time, you need at least 12 months remaining on your qualifying allowance when you apply. You’ll find the end date on your award letter. If you’re already on the Scheme, the 12-month rule doesn’t apply when you come to order your next vehicle. You will need to tell Motability if your allowance isn’t renewed or extended during your lease though, as you may be asked to hand the vehicle back.

As long as your PIP award includes the enhanced rate of the mobility component. This is the most common route onto the Scheme, and also where most of the confusion comes from, because not every PIP award qualifies:

If your circumstances have changed since your last assessment, it’s worth speaking to your benefit provider, as a change in your mobility award can change whether you’re eligible.

You won’t be able to join the Scheme if:

There’s no upper age limit on the Scheme. If you’re receiving a qualifying allowance with enough time left on it, your age won’t stop you joining.

No. Plenty of people on the Scheme don’t drive. If you don’t hold a licence, you can nominate other people to drive for you, such as a partner, family member, friend or carer. Up to three named drivers can be covered on the insurance, and each one needs a full UK driving licence. The vehicle must always be used for the benefit of the person receiving the allowance.

Yes. A parent, guardian or carer can apply on behalf of the person who receives the allowance and be a named driver on the vehicle. For children, the Scheme is open from the age of three, provided they receive the higher rate mobility component of DLA or Child Disability Payment.

The quickest way is to look at your benefit award letter. You’re checking three things:

If all three apply, you’re very likely eligible. If you’re not sure, get in touch with our team. We can talk through your award with you, explain how the Scheme works and help you with your application from start to finish.