Bespoke Passenger Solutions (BPS)

A Bespoke Passenger Solution is a large or very large wheelchair accessible vehicle which includes hoisting or personal care facilities. It has a large flat floor and a tail lift to allow a wheelchair user to travel into the vehicle and remain seated as a passenger in their wheelchair. The wheelchair is secured with a four-point manual tie-down system in the floor and a personal seat belt for the person seated in their wheelchair.

A BPS can provide adaptations to allow a carer or assistant to hoist the wheelchair user from their wheelchair onto an adult sized changing surface to perform personal care. The vehicle has darkened rear windows and a curtain between the passenger area and the front of the vehicle so personal care can be carried out in privacy. Storage for continence or medical supplies and equipment may also be provided.

To accommodate a ceiling hoist and adult changing facilities, Bespoke Passenger Solutions are based on large van like vehicles such as a Volkswagen (VW) Crafter, Peugeot Boxer or Renault Master.

There are different sizes depending on how many people and what essential equipment you need to accommodate. Most of these vehicles are approximately 2 metres wide and range from 4 metres to 6 metres in length. All these vehicles are over 2 metres high.

A vehicle conversion specialist is the company who adapts a vehicle for wheelchair access as either a passenger or a driver.

No. You must apply and wait for us to confirm whether your application has been successful before placing a vehicle order. 

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

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – Enhanced rate mobility 
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – Higher rate mobility 
• Scottish Adult DLA – Higher rate mobility 
• Adult Disability Payment (Scotland) – Enhanced rate mobility 
• Child Disability Payment (Scotland) – Higher rate mobility 
• War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement 
• Armed Forces Independence Payment 

This will depend on your household income and financial circumstances. We will inform you if we think you need to contribute.

If you choose to make a voluntary contribution towards your Advance Payment grant, there are limits within our policy. Grant applicants can add up to £750 or 50 per cent of the Advance Payment grant, whichever is lower.

No, not unless we request this after reviewing your application.

No. We will assess your needs with our own Mobility and Driving Advisors.

New Bespoke Passenger Solutions and all new accessible vehicles are leased over five years. Nearly New Bespoke Passenger Solutions are leased over three years. If your vehicle remains suitable at the end of your lease, we may recommend you keep it for longer. 

You can apply for adaptations or an alternative solution partway through your lease if your current solution no longer works. Your application will be subject to eligibility at the time of your new application.

Currently the Bespoke Passenger Solutions grant programme is funded until March 2027. If your lease ends before this date, then you may be able to apply for another grant. Your application will be subject to eligibility at the time of your new application. If your vehicle remains suitable at the end of your lease, we may recommend you keep it for longer. If your vehicle is no longer suitable, we may only be able to provide a WAV grant. 

No. There are a small number of vehicles available on the Motability Scheme that are suitable as a Bespoke Passenger Solution. We’ll help you find the right solution for your needs through our assessment.

Yes. If they are a Motability Scheme customer and meet all the eligibility criteria. Most applications to this programme are made by someone else on behalf of the applicant. For example, you can apply on behalf of your disabled child or partner if you are their appointee. The applicant and assistant or carer who intends to drive, will need to be available to participate in an assessment.

Familiarisation lessons are for people who already have a driving licence. They help you get used to a new way of driving.

If you need familiarisation lessons, we may fund:

• a dual brake in your Scheme vehicle
• up to five hours of familiarisation lessons for your main driver
• we may fund more hours if your instructor recommends this

You must get one of these disability benefits to join the Motability Scheme and have at least 12 months remaining on your award:

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – Enhanced rate mobility
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – Higher rate mobility
• Scottish Adult DLA – Higher rate mobility
• Adult Disability Payment (Scotland) – Enhanced rate mobility
• Child Disability Payment (Scotland) – Higher rate mobility
• War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
• Armed Forces Independence Payment

No. We carry out our own means testing process on all applications. We will ask you about your household income and savings. We may ask you to pay something towards the cost of your vehicle or adaptations.

Yes. One of our Mobility and Driving Advisors will visit you in person. You will need to be able to take part in an active assessment to help us provide the most suitable solution.

You can only have one grant at a time, but we’ll help you apply for the right one.

If your needs change later, you may be able to apply again in the future.

If you applied online, you should have got an email straight away to say we’ve received it.

If you posted your form, we’ll aim to contact you within two working days of getting it.

Right now, lots of people are applying for grants. It may take us around four weeks to start looking at your application. We’ll be in touch as soon as we can. Thank you for being patient.