The Motability Scheme was set up a few years ago in the UK, with the goal of helping disabled people all over the country find suitable vehicles for rent or purchase. The Motability scheme currenly has over half a million members, who it assists in leasing a vehicle, as well as extra elements such as insurance, maintenance and servicing.

 

The scheme allows its members to rent a vehicle in exchange for their goverment motibility allowances, which are granted to basically all disabled people. This allows those who are disabled to drive a custom built vehicle without having to worry about committing to major financial and contractual obiligations.

 

The scheme is open to any disabled person who currently recieves a war pensioners’ motibility supplement or the motibility component of disability living allowance (higher rate). There are no waiting lists of medical assesments of any kind, and disabled people who don’t drive can still apply to the scheme, usually being awarded a WAV as a passenger. In a very similar way, parents can apply for disabled children, and carers can make an application on behalf of someone who may be unable to do so.

 

Once you’ve made your application and been accepted, you’ll need to decide whether you’re more suited to the car scheme or the powered wheelchair and scooter scheme.

 

The car scheme allows you to take a totally new car every 5 years, with insurance, breakdown cover, modifications, replacement tyres, services and maintenance all being included. Should you want to own a new car, rather than replacing it every five years, you also have the option to take your chosen vehicle on a hire purchase agreement. There’s a massive range of disabled vehicles for you to take your choice from, including the new and award winning Nissan NV200.

 

The powered wheelchair and scooter scheme includes a brand new scooter or wheelchair every three years, with insurance, breakdown assistance, servicing and maintenance and free battery replacement. Whereas with the car scheme you will exchange the full amount of your government allowances, the wheelchair and scooter scheme has over 200 products available, most of which you can get for less than your weekly allowance amount.