Motability
This information is correct as of April 2008.
Any extra costs for a more expensive vehicle or costs such as getting the vehicle extensively adapted have to be paid at thestart of the agreement (this is called an ‘advance payment’). Smaller cars are available for less than the rate of benefit and you will receive the balance, including any increases in benefit.Repairs, insurance and maintenance are provided free under the contract hire (lease) agreement, but it is your responsibility to arrange for the servicing and repair of your car. You are also responsible for keeping your car in good condition apart from fair wear and tear. A charge of 5p for each extra mile is made if your mileage exceeds 60,000 over the three years of the agreement (100,000 on a five-year agreement). You can usually get a new replacement car of your choice every three years (or every five years if it is heavily adapted or is a wheelchair accessible vehicle). For more details about the scheme visit www.motability.co.uk, or write to: Motability Operations, City Gate House, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HB. Tel 0845 456 4566, Minicom 0845 675 0009 (8:30-5:30 Mon-Fri).
Or for the wheelchair and scooter scheme, contact: Route2mobility, Montgomery House, Newbury Road, Enham Alamein, Andover, Hampshire, SP11 6JS. Tel 0845 60 762 60, Fax 01264 384482 (8:00-6:00 Mon-Thur, 8:00-5:00 Fri).
This is information on your rights and responsibilities and is to be used as guidance and not legal advice. Information correct as of April 2008.
Motability Apr 08.pdf (2 pages, 266kb)
To use the Motability scheme you must be getting the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance. Disability Living Allowance is a benefit for people with ill health, physical or mental disabilities. It is divided into two components; mobility and care components. You can use the higher rate mobility component to pay for a car through Motability. The Department for Work and Pensions pays the money (all or part of it) direct to Motability Finance Limited on your behalf. Anybody getting the higher rate mobility of Disability Living Allowance including the parents of children who receive it can use the Scheme.
What is Motability?
Motability is a registered charity and designed to help people use their higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance to buy or hire a car. An award of mobility component needs to run for a minimum of 12 months for a person to be accepted onto one of the schemes. Two types of scheme are offered: a contract hiring scheme and a hire purchase scheme. New cars are available on contract hire or can be bought on hire purchase. Electric wheelchairs, scooters and used cars are also available through the hire purchase scheme. Finance is provided through a separate company, Motability Finance Ltd.Cars on Hire Purchase
Motability will advise you of the length of the hire purchase period and agree the amount of Disability Living Allowance which will be paid directly to Motability Finance Ltd. If the payments are less than your mobility component, any balance of Disability Living Allowance remaining and all increases are paid to you. You must pay any deposit and extra costs not covered by the hire purchase agreement. As you are buying a car, you must arrange and pay for the running costs and obtain comprehensive insurance cover. New or used cars are available to buy on hire purchase over a term of two to five years, and terms will vary according to the type of car you intend to purchase. To be eligible for this part of the scheme, it is normally expected that you will receive DLA for the full length of the agreement.Cars on Contract Hire (Lease)
To lease a car, your higher rate mobility component must be for an indefinite period, or a fixed period with at least 12 months left to run. Your Disability Living Allowance mobility component will be paid to Motability Finance Ltd for the period of the lease agreement, but if the whole allowance is not required you will continue to receive the balance.Any extra costs for a more expensive vehicle or costs such as getting the vehicle extensively adapted have to be paid at thestart of the agreement (this is called an ‘advance payment’). Smaller cars are available for less than the rate of benefit and you will receive the balance, including any increases in benefit.Repairs, insurance and maintenance are provided free under the contract hire (lease) agreement, but it is your responsibility to arrange for the servicing and repair of your car. You are also responsible for keeping your car in good condition apart from fair wear and tear. A charge of 5p for each extra mile is made if your mileage exceeds 60,000 over the three years of the agreement (100,000 on a five-year agreement). You can usually get a new replacement car of your choice every three years (or every five years if it is heavily adapted or is a wheelchair accessible vehicle). For more details about the scheme visit www.motability.co.uk, or write to: Motability Operations, City Gate House, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HB. Tel 0845 456 4566, Minicom 0845 675 0009 (8:30-5:30 Mon-Fri).
Or for the wheelchair and scooter scheme, contact: Route2mobility, Montgomery House, Newbury Road, Enham Alamein, Andover, Hampshire, SP11 6JS. Tel 0845 60 762 60, Fax 01264 384482 (8:00-6:00 Mon-Thur, 8:00-5:00 Fri).
Exemption from Vehicle Road Tax
You can get an exemption from road tax if you get the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance and the car is used for the purpose of the disabled person.Blue Badge Scheme
You can get a Blue Badge from your local Social Care and Health (Social Services) Office. The badge costs £2.00. It will help you to park closer to places you want to visit.This is information on your rights and responsibilities and is to be used as guidance and not legal advice. Information correct as of April 2008.
Motability Apr 08.pdf (2 pages, 266kb)