Frequently Asked Questions

Motability is changing its name to Motability Foundation to increase awareness of our wider remit of grant-giving, research and innovation, and to make it easier for disabled people and organisations to find and access the support we provide. 

A brand tracking survey we carried out showed that despite a large-scale expansion in our grant-giving, research and innovation activities over the last two years, in a survey of disabled people, their friends, family and carers, and disability organisations, only 2% named Motability as a disability charity. 

For our work to have the greatest possible impact on making journeys more accessible for disabled people, it is vital that Motability Foundation is recognised as a disability charity that supports all disabled people. 

At the Motability Foundation, we fund, support, research and innovate so that all disabled people can make the journeys they choose.  

The Motability Scheme is the main way we provide access to transport for disabled people. The Scheme offers an affordable way for disabled people to lease a new car, wheelchair accessible vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair. Anyone who receives qualifying mobility allowances from the government can apply for a Scheme vehicle. 

The Motability Scheme is run by a separate company, Motability Operations.  

We oversee them to deliver the Scheme and make sure that the Scheme gives disabled people the best choice, value for money and customer service possible – and to make sure it is sustainable for generations to come. 

Yes. We have changed our operating name, look and feel and tone of voice. There are no changes to our grant programmes or wider work as a result of this change. 

Department for Work and Pensions will send you a renewal pack to re-assess your claim. If your allowance is extended, your Motability Scheme lease agreement will continue as normal. If, for any reason, your allowance is not renewed or you should contact the Motability Scheme 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.

If you are applying for a charitable grant towards a new vehicle, you can apply from four months before the end of your current Scheme lease. If you are applying for a charitable grant towards a new wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) on the Motability Scheme, you can apply from six months before the end of your current Scheme lease.

We can arrange a Motability Scheme lease extension if your vehicle remains in a good condition and the mileage is not excessive. With a lease extension, you can remain in the vehicle that meets your needs, with insurance, roadside recovery, service, maintenance and repairs continuing to be included.

Find out more information about considerations for a Charitable Grant .

All Motability Scheme customers can receive a free copy of Lifestyle magazine every three months. By reading Lifestyle, you will be able to catch up on the latest news from Motability Foundation and the Scheme. Read latest issue of Lifestyle online.

If you are mid-way through your lease and aren’t receiving Lifestyle but would like to, or you would like to stop receiving it, please contact Motability Operations.

Lifestyle is published on behalf of Motability by Wonderly, part of Haymarket Media Group, Bridge House, 69 London Road, Twickenham, TW1 3SP.

You can learn to drive in your Motability Scheme car. Disabled drivers can take lessons from the age of 16. Any other drivers with provisional licences must be over 21 if you want them to drive your car, and you can only have one learner driver on your Certificate of Motor Insurance at any one time. You may also be able to get a Charitable Grant towards the cost of your driving lessons. Find out more information about Charitable Grants.

Where we have provided a grant towards driving lessons, they will normally be carried out in an instructor’s vehicle. If the instructor is unable to carry out lessons in their vehicle due to your adaptations, we will work with you to identify the best way forward.

The Motability Scheme leasing package includes cover for three named drivers. Regardless of who is driving, the Scheme car should always be used for the benefit of the disabled customer.

To ensure that Scheme customers are gaining direct benefit from their Motability Scheme car, location trackers may be fitted to vehicles if the risk of potential misuse is high; for example, where Scheme customers permanently live in a care home and have a number of drivers who have access to the car, or if none of the customer's named drivers are resident at their address.

Where a location tracker has been identified as appropriate, the Scheme customer will always be contacted in advance of the tracker being fitted. Data will only be collected on the location of a Scheme car at any given point and this data will only be used where a report has been made, or suspicion raised, that a car may be being misused.

Find out more information about location trackers on the Motability Scheme website.

You can contact the Press Office by calling 07764 790863 (8.45am - 5.15pm Monday to Friday). Please note, customer enquiries cannot be answered by the Press Office.

Email: pressoffice@motabilityfoundation.org.uk opens email client

Take a look at our contact information .

You can contact us online, write to us or call us, see our contact details below:

Online: visit our Contact page where you can find contact details for Media Enquiries, Charitable Grants and customer insurance products. You can also submit a general enquiry form, provide feedback, make a complaint, sign up for information or order resources.

If you would like to get in touch with the Motability Scheme you can call 0300 456 4566 or visit the Motability Scheme website .

We attend a number of national events and exhibitions. Take a look at events and exhibitions to see the events we are attending this year.

You can contact the Motability Scheme by calling the Customer Careline on 0300 456 4566 (call charges may apply).
Alternatively, please contact them online at motability.co.uk

Take a look at more contact information .

If you have signed up to our healthcare professional database to receive our newsletter, Motability Matters, and would like to change your contact details, including your name and address, please email communications@motabilityfoundation.org.uk.

If you are a Motability Scheme customer and would like to update your contact details, please complete the form Update your contact details on the Motability Scheme website.

Have you received a suspicious email, text or social media message request that looks like it’s from Motability Foundation?

If you have, it could be a scam.

Please look out for the following warning signs:

• The request asks for your bank details and/or cryptocurrency wallet details. We do not ask for these details and we do not fundraise.
• The request contains an urgency for replying or completing an action.
• Grammatical mistakes or incorrect spellings.
• The links you are being asked to visit does not look or feel right.
• The business address, contact number and website address are not correct.

We understand you may be concerned and we’d like to know if you’ve received communication like this. Please email us at phishing@motabilityfoundation.org.uk to share further details or call us on 0800 500 3186.

You can also report scams and get support via the GOV.UK website.

We attend a number of national events and exhibitions. Take a look at our exhibitions page to see what we are attending this year.

Find out about Motability Scheme Live on the Motability Scheme website.

We understand the importance of decreasing our environmental impact as an organisation. We have produced an Environmental Sustainability Policy Statement (PDF 42.6 KB) to demonstrate our commitment.

Motability Enterprises Limited (MEL) is no longer introducing home insurance to new customers.  Learn about your options. 

MEL is a wholly owned trading subsidiary of Motability. Motability operating as Motability Foundation.

For further information about MEL and to look at other products and services available, please visit our website www.motabilityenterprises.co.uk.

Motability Enterprises Limited (MEL) introduces specialist travel insurance provided by AllClear.

AllClear provide travel insurance for singles, couples, and groups of any age for single or annual multi-trip policies.

For more information and a free quotation call AllClear on 0808 164 1807 or visit AllClear.  

MEL is a wholly owned trading subsidiary of Motability. Motability operating as Motability Foundation.

For further information about MEL and to look at other products and services available, please visit our website www.motabilityenterprises.co.uk. 

Motability Enterprises Limited (MEL) can introduce you to Haven holidays and Enable holidays.

Haven offer discounts on UK family holidays and short breaks. For details call Haven Holidays on 0333 202 5423 and quote Z_MOT2 or visit Haven Holidays Motability.

Enable offer discounts on tailor-made accessible holidays abroad. For details call Enable Holidays on 0330 380 6800 and or visit Enable Holidays. Please quote “MOTA 1” to receive a 10% discount.

MEL is a wholly owned trading subsidiary of Motability. Motability operating as Motability Foundation.

For further information about MEL and to look at other products and services available, please visit our website www.motabilityenterprises.co.uk. 

Motability Enterprises Limited (MEL) introduces insurance cover for your privately owned mobility scooter provided by Fish Insurance. For further information about discounts available for Motability Scheme customers and a free quotation call Fish Insurance on 0333 331 3770 or visit Fish.

MEL is a wholly owned trading subsidiary of Motability. Motability operating as Motability Foundation.

For further information about MEL and to look at other products and services available, please visit our website www.motabilityenterprises.co.uk.

Motability Enterprises Limited introduces organisations who provide products and services that contain features and benefits we believe will be of interest to Motability Scheme customers.

Please visit motabilityenterprises.co.uk where you will find further information about the products and services introduced.

Motability Enterprises Limited (registered number 1786053 England and Wales) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Motability (a registered Charity in England and Wales No. 299745 and in Scotland No. SC050642), both of which have their registered office at Warwick House, Roydon Road, Harlow, Essex, CM19 5PX. Motability operating as Motability Foundation.

Motability Enterprises Limited passes any of its trading profits to the Motability Foundation under company Gift Aid under Deed of Covenant without deduction of tax.

Motability Enterprises Limited expects to pass £300k to the Motability Foundation each year to support disabled people with their personal mobility.

Motability Foundation has been fortunate to receive substantial donations in recent years which will support our activities long into the future. 

As a result, Motability Foundation is no longer requesting donations from the public.   

However, if you still choose to do so, we will gratefully accept a donation by cheque, made payable to “Motability” and sent to Motability Foundation, Warwick House, Roydon Road, Harlow, CM19 5PX. 

The Higher Rate Mobility Component (HRMC) of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) can be awarded from the third birthday of the disabled person. It is possible to apply for the allowance before that date and as long as the eligibility criteria is met, the award will start from when the disabled person turns three. If a child under three has had the allowance confirmed, an application can be made up to three months before their third birthday, but the Motability Scheme agreement cannot start until the allowance is awarded.

If a child above the age of three is in receipt of the Higher Rate Mobility Allowance, an application can be made to the Motability Scheme. Find out more information about How to join the Motability Scheme . The application will need to be submitted in the name of the appointee (parent or guardian) who is responsible for the allowance.

The Motability Scheme works with Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in the same way as it does with Disability Living Allowance (DLA). The Motability Scheme enables disabled people to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair. If you receive one of the following allowances, you may be eligible to join the Motability Scheme:

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

Find out more about the Motability Scheme .

The War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement is provided by Veterans UK. This allowance can be used to cover the cost of a Motability lease agreement. This is currently £69.85 per week (as of 14/04/2021).

Find out more information about the War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement on GOV.UK .

Eligibility for the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the DLA award is determined by the Department for Work and Pensions, who should be contacted with any queries.

Motability Foundation work in partnership with the DWP to send letters once a year to all recipients of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Enhanced Personal Independence Payment (PIP). This letter is to advise people that they can join the Motability Scheme and to provide an information leaflet.

Please call 0800 953 4002 and request that the name and addresses are removed from future correspondence.

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

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

Those who receive the Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) can apply to join the Motability Scheme. Find out more information About the Motability Scheme .

If you receive this allowance and would like further information, please contact the Motability Scheme's Customer Services on 0300 456 4566.

You can also visit the Motability Scheme website and use the Car Search to see the vehicles available on the Scheme. Using the car search, you will need to select the option PIP/AFIP- Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment on the allowance type field. 

If you would like to appeal to re-join the Motability Scheme, visit the Motability Scheme website and complete the Request to join the Scheme form.

The circumstances of your case will be examined and the team will advise you of its decision as quickly as possible.

You can apply to join the Motability Scheme if you are aged 65 and over and you receive one of the following allowances:

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

Unfortunately, the Attendance Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment (Scotland) cannot be used to lease a car through the Motability Scheme.

Find out more about allowances at GOV.UK.

Visit the Motability Scheme website.

No, you are not able to have more than one lease agreement (i.e. more than one product or vehicle) through the Motability Scheme at any time. Therefore, it is not possible to lease a car and a powered wheelchair or scooter at the same time.

Leasing a car through the Motability Scheme includes insurance for up to three named drivers – these can be yourself, friends, family or carers.

All proposed drivers are subject to the Motability Scheme’s policies on who can drive your car, and must also meet Direct Line Motability (DLM) eligibility criteria regardless of whether they are added at application or during your lease. Only drivers listed as permitted drivers on the Certificate of Motor Insurance are insured to drive your Motability Scheme car.

Remember, the car must be used by, or for the benefit of, the disabled person. This does not mean that the disabled person needs to be in the car for every journey. In practice, this means other named drivers in the household can use the car for shopping and other routine activities, as long as the disabled person will benefit.

The Motability Scheme offers a selection of adaptations; ranging from simple driving controls to person hoists that lift a wheelchair user into a standard car. You can view the list of adaptations available on the Motability Scheme website.

To see the range of cars available on the Motability Scheme, you can use the Car Search on the Motability Scheme website.

The car search includes a selection of makes and models including Ford, Nissan, Seat, Vauxhall, Mazda, Mercedes, Toyota and Renault. You can narrow your search using the filters which include car type, prices and advance payment.

To see the range of scooters available on the Motability Scheme, you can use the Scooter Search on the Motability Scheme website.

If you are eligible to join the Motability Scheme, all you need to do is visit local Motability Scheme dealers and arrange an appointment with their Motability specialist. The Motability specialist at your local dealership will arrange test drives and can help you enjoy choosing a car that’s right for you.

As part of your appointment, your dealer will take you through a Motability Scheme Suitability Questionnaire. This is designed to make sure the car you’re considering, and the Motability Scheme, is right for you. Once you have chosen a car, your dealer will complete the application for you online at the dealership. You’ll need to take your Certificate of Entitlement, a recent utility bill, and the driving licences of any drivers to be insured.  If your proposed driver is unable to come with you to the dealership, they must complete the Driver Consent Form.

Visit the Motability Scheme website to find a dealer near you.

Depending on which vehicle you choose, you will exchange all or most of the higher rate mobility part of your weekly disability allowance for the course of your three year lease. Other parts - such as the care component - remain completely untouched and you will continue to receive them as normal.

All standard scooters and powered wheelchairs cost less than your weekly allowance meaning you get some money back.

Meanwhile for cars there are three pricing options to choose from. Some cost less than your weekly allowance, others cost the same as your weekly allowance, and some require an Advance Payment. You can use our Car Search tool to search current prices. And don't forget, when you lease a car through the Scheme, insurance, breakdown cover, servicing and maintenance, tyre and windscreen replacement are all included in the worry-free package, so all you need to budget for is fuel.

Find out more about our pricing options

If you are the customer there are no restrictions to you joining the scheme with a provisional licence, although you will have to meet all other acceptance criteria. Providing you are shown as a Motability permitted driver on the Certificate of Motor Insurance and you are accompanied by your nominated driver who is over 21 and has held their licence for at least three years you can learn to drive in the car.

For all other drivers, certain restrictions do apply regarding provisional licence holders e.g. you must be aged 21 or over, in addition to meeting all other acceptance criteria. For further details please contact Direct Line Motability (DLM). 

"Contract Hire" is the term used to describe the type of leasing agreement contract offered through the Motability Scheme.

All the "Contract Hire" lease agreements offer a new car of your choice every three years (five years for wheelchair accessible vehicles); the leasing package also includes insurance, servicing and maintenance, breakdown cover, as well as tyre and windscreen replacement. 

Take a look at vehicles available on the Motability Scheme website.

A Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) is a vehicle that is converted so a wheelchair user can travel either as a passenger or a driver, without needing to transfer out of their wheelchair.

Find out about Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles on the Motability Scheme website.

PIP is the allowance which is replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for disabled people aged between 16 and 64. Like DLA, PIP has two components: a daily living component and a mobility component. Each component has two rates of payment: a ‘standard rate’ and an ‘enhanced rate’ which is the same amount as the DLA. You can lease a Motability Scheme car, scooter or powered wheelchair by using the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP, similar to the Higher Rate Mobility Component of DLA.

If you receive DLA, you will be invited to make a claim for PIP by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Until that point, you do not need to do anything. However, when you receive the letter, it is important to respond to the invitation within the given timescales.

Find out more information about PIP from GOV.UK

Find out about PIP and the Motability Scheme.

The Government is currently in the process of replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) with Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for disabled people aged between 16 and 64. If you are awarded the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP, you will continue to be able to lease a car, scooter or powered wheelchair through the Motability Scheme.

Disabled children will continue to receive DLA until they reach the age of 16. DLA will also continue to be available for those who turned 65 on or before 8 April 2013. If you receive the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement or Armed Forces Independence Payment, you will not be affected by this new allowance.

Find out more information about PIP from GOV.UK

Find out more about PIP and the Motability Scheme.

As an existing DLA claimant, you will not need to make a claim for PIP until you are contacted by the DWP.

Please note that the annual allowance letter that you receive from the DWP is not the invitation to make a claim, you will receive separate notice of this.

Find out more information about PIP from GOV.UK

Find out more about PIP and the Motability Scheme

The Government is currently in the process of replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) with Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for disabled people aged between 16 and 64. If you are awarded the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP you will continue to be able to lease a car, scooter or powered wheelchair through the Motability Scheme. This process began in April 2013 in Great Britain and from 20 June 2016 in Northern Ireland. The transition from DLA to PIP is now complete in Northern Ireland, but there is no indication when the programme will finish in Great Britain. Please remember, you do not need to do anything until the DWP contacts you to make a claim for PIP.

More information about the DWP’s plans for DLA and PIP can be found on the Government’s website: www.gov.uk/personal-independence-payment or for Northern Ireland visit: www.nidirect.gov.uk/personal-independence-payment. 

Find out more about PIP and the Motability Scheme.

If the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) decides you are not eligible for ERMC PIP, you will no longer be eligible to use the Motability Scheme. Unfortunately, vehicles are only leased through the Motability Scheme to people who receive one of the relevant mobility allowances.

Please contact the Motability Scheme if you are no longer in receipt of an eligible allowance. 

Find out about our PIP transitional support.

If you have signed up to our healthcare professional database to receive our newsletter, Motability Matters, and would like to update or change your contact details, including your name and address, please email communications@motabilityfoundation.org.uk

Please visit our Professionals and Advisors section where you can download or order free resources.

You have been sent our direct mailing as you receive one of the below allowances.

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

If you receive one of the above qualifying benefits, you can apply for a Motability Scheme vehicle.

If you do not wish to receive information about the Motability Scheme in the future, please call:

PIP telephone: 0800 121 4433 or textphone: 0800 121 449.

DLA telephone: 0800 121 4600 or textphone: 0800 121 4523.

To remove you successfully.

If you would like to receive information about the Motability Scheme in the future and require your address details updated please call:

PIP telephone: 0800 121 4433 or textphone: 0800 121 449.

DLA telephone: 0800 121 4600 or textphone: 0800 121 4523.

If you are interested in enquiring into a charitable grant please visit https://www.motabilityfoundation.org.uk/grants/ or call 0800 500 3186, 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday.

If you are interested in enquiring into joining the Motability Scheme please visit motability.co.uk/hello or freephone: 0800 953 4002 and quote your mailing code.