Motability in the UK in Cornwall in Devon in Dorset in Shropshire in Somerset

Motability,

the national charity (registered charity no: 299745), has overall responsibility for the Motability Scheme:

• We direct and oversee the Scheme.
• We raise funds to provide financial help to Scheme customers who would otherwise be unable to afford the type of car and any adaptations that they need.
• We administer the Government's Specialised Vehicles Fund which provides financial assistance for customers who need to travel in their wheelchairs.
• We provide technical support to customers and the adaptation and conversion industry.

The Motability Car Scheme is administered on a contract basis by Motability Operations, a not-for-profit private company owned by the major banks. The Wheelchair and Scooter Scheme is operated by Route2mobility, a limited company, under contract to Motability.

The Motability Scheme enables disabled people to obtain a car, powered wheelchair or scooter simply by using their government-funded mobility allowances. Customers exchange their allowance for a worry-free mobility package, including:

• Car, powered wheelchair or scooter
• Insurance
• Servicing
• Tyres
• Breakdown cover
• Adaptations and wheelchair accessible vehicles are also available.

The Scheme is open to anyone who receives one of the following benefits, and has at least 12 months’ award length remaining when they apply:

• Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance
• War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement.
• Around two-thirds of our customers drive, but non-drivers can get a car as a passenger. Similarly, parents and carers can also apply on behalf of a child.

Over 530,000 disabled people currently use the Motability Scheme and 97% of them would recommend it to their friends. A further 1.3 million are eligible to join but have not taken advantage of doing so, simply because they may be unaware that they can.

95% of our customers choose to lease a car through Motability’s Contract Hire agreement, which gives you:

• A new car of your choice every 3 years
• Insurance and personal accident cover
• Servicing and maintenance
• Full breakdown assistance from RAC
• Replacement tyres fitted by Kwik-Fit
• Window or windscreen replacement at no extra cost.

Our worry-free policy continues right to the end of your three-year lease with a seamless transfer to your new car. What’s more, you can choose from over 4,000 cars - no wonder 97% of our customers would be happy to recommend us.

Some customers may prefer to buy their own car, in which case our Hire Purchase scheme might be for you. If you choose Hire Purchase, you negotiate the actual purchase price with your Motability dealer. With Hire Purchase, you will also be responsible for organising and paying for comprehensive insurance, breakdown recovery, your car tax disc, servicing and repairs. (If you choose to buy a car with a Hire Purchase agreement, you will need to be receiving the allowance for the full length of your agreement.)

Some cars just don’t feel right...

That might just be because they are ‘different’ from your present car. Or it could be that the vehicle really isn’t suited to your needs. Don’t ignore those first instincts. If you are less than comfortable when trying out a new vehicle, there could be a simple solution to the problem - or you may need to try different vehicle.

Make sure your ‘new car feeling’ is a good one. Don’t settle for a car which has inconvenience or discomfort built in!

Measuring Up

Being able to compare key measurements, either between your existing car and any potential new car, or between cars that you are considering, can be a great help. Motability has worked with Ricability, an independent consumer research charity, and their panel of disabled people, to take over 65 measurements of our most popular cars to help you find out more about car accessibility. Below are the considering your new car:

Ricability

Ricability is the trading name of the Research Institute for Consumer Affairs (RICA). We are a national research charity dedicated to providing independent information of value to disabled and older consumers. Under our trading name of Ricability, we research and publish consumer reports. They are all based on rigorous research and provide practical information needed by disabled and older consumers. As the Research Institute for Consumer Affairs we also work with manufacturers, service providers, regulators and policy makers to improve products and services. Our aim is to increase their awareness of the needs of disabled and older consumers through specialist research.

Find a car

• Car measurement database search for cars with particular dimensions e.g low sill, high seat, wide door
• List of cars measured to see all the 500 + car models and print a factsheet that has measurements and photos
• Things to look for tells you what dimensions are important
• Explanation of ratings used by Motability

Mobility address list

– Address information for companies and organisations that provide mobility services and products.

Car controls

– This guide is for disabled and older drivers who need to adapt the controls in their car. The range of controls is now so wide that almost anyone can drive, providing they meet DVLA requirements. It will give you a starting point to think about what type of adaptation you might need and to help you explore what is possible.

Getting a wheelchair into a car

– This guide describes what equipment is available to help get a wheelchair into a car and transport it safely. It includes information about different types of hoists, racks and trailers.

Getting in and out of a car

– Whether you’re in a wheelchair, or just find it difficult to get in and out of a car, this guide can help. It starts with advice on techniques you may find useful, and then covers aids for those who need more help getting from a wheelchair and into a car.

Motoring if you have a particular disability -Series of seven guides for people with particular disabilities with tips, information about adaptations and where to go for further help: Motoring after amputation, Motoring with arthritis, Motoring after brain injury, Motoring with cerebral palsy, Motoring with multiple sclerosis, Motoring after a stroke, Motoring with restricted growth.

Car/Road Tax Exemptions

The person you are looking after may be entitled to a free road tax disc if they have a condition or disability that affects their mobility. A free tax disc is available if they have:

• a disability which means they get the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance,
• a War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement, or
• an ‘invalid carriage’ (this includes vehicles such as powered wheelchairs and scooters intended for use on roads).

Road tax is also known as car tax or vehicle excise duty.
The vehicle must be registered in the name of the person you are looking after, or in your own name as their carer (their nominee). It can be used only for the benefit of the person with the disability, which might include activities such as taking them to and from places or doing their shopping. You or any other nominee cannot use the vehicle for your own personal needs.

How to apply: In order to get a free tax disc you will first need to apply for an exemption certificate. The exemption certificate will show the name of the disabled person and that of the nominee, if they have nominated someone to drive for them.

If the person you are looking after receives War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement, they should apply (using form WPA 442) to the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency, Norcross, Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire FY5 3WP, or telephone 0800 169 2277 (textphone 0800 169 3458).

You will also need the entire vehicle registration certificate. You will need to fill in the taxation class as ‘disabled’ in section 7 of the certificate. You will also need a valid insurance certificate or cover note and a valid MOT or GVT certificate (if applicable). If you have all the documents listed, you can apply directly for a free disabled person’s tax disc at your local post office.

Invalid carriages: This is the term used to describe any powered wheelchair or scooter intended for use on the road. You do not need an exemption certificate to get a free tax disc for an invalid carriage if:

• it weighs less than 509kg and is adapted for, used or kept on a road for a disabled person (although it must be registered in the name of the driver), or
• it weighs less than 113.4kg, is for pavement use only and has a maximum speed of 4mph, in which case it does not need to be registered or have a tax disc.

Motability schemes
If you hire a vehicle through a Motability scheme, they will arrange to tax your vehicle each year and will send a tax disc to you.

Refunds
If you have a valid tax disc and wish to apply for a vehicle tax refund, complete form V14, available from your post office. If you wish to apply for a vehicle tax refund and you do not have the tax disc, complete form V33, which is only available from your local DVLA office or by calling
0870 240 0010.