40 hours of free lessons are available to eligible benefit claimants (Image: Getty Images)
Many people receiving higher or enhanced rates of disability benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment (ADP) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA), may not be aware that they could be eligible for free driving lessons through a grant provided by the Motability Scheme. The ‘Driving Lessons Grant Programme’ offers grants towards the cost of learning to drive for disabled individuals who hold a provisional licence and wish to obtain a full one.
It also provides grants to disabled individuals who already have a licence but need familiarisation lessons, which could be beneficial for anyone needing to adapt to a new vehicle. For those with a provisional driving licence, the scheme offers up to 40 hours of driving lessons to help them pass their driving test.
However, it’s important to note that individuals will still need to cover the costs of both the theory and practical driving tests themselves. To qualify for the free driving lessons, you must have a current lease agreement on the Motability Scheme or a pending application for a vehicle on the Motability Scheme, with a confirmed delivery date within the next four months.
It’s estimated that the average learner driver needs between 40-50 hours of lessons before they are ready for the test, so these free lessons offered through Motability could potentially cover someone’s entire learning journey, reports .
James Armstrong, CEO of Veygo Insurance, highlighted the steep costs associated with learning to drive: “With the average driving lesson now costing £35 per hour, and learner drivers needing around 45 hours of professional instruction to pass their tests, the cost of learning to drive is currently sitting around £1,575. This is a huge cost and barrier to learning to drive for many across the country.”
Meanwhile, Motability’s Driving Lessons Grant Programme offers financial aid, though it comes with specific eligibility requirements. The organisation’s guidance states: “All grant applications are means-tested to ensure Motability supports those most in need of a charitable grant and help as many beneficiaries as possible with the charitable funds available. This means we will look at your financial situation to determine if we are able to provide a grant towards your lessons.”
Eligibility for the driving lessons grant scheme
Details regarding who may be considered for the grant include recipients of specific disability allowances or government-assessed means-tested benefits:
- Job Seekers Allowance (income-based)
- Child Tax Credit
- Higher Rate Mobility Component of Child Disability Payment
- Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance
- Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP
- Council Tax Benefit (Council Tax Support, Council Tax Reduction)
- Income Support
- Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)
- Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit
- Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of the Adult Disability Payment
- Housing Benefit
- War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Pension Guarantee Credit
For more information about the programme and eligibility, interested parties are directed to visit the