The Motability Car Scheme UK: Advice and guidance for disabled people needing vehicles. Part 2

In our first part of this guide, we saw the basics of the Motability Scheme. Part 2 gives more information for disabled people looking for Motability vehicles (including wheelchair accessible vehicles.) We’ll cover adaptations, delivery, insurance and aftercare.  

Adaptations for your Motability vehicle or WAV

If you get a Motability vehicle, there are lots of ways to make it more accessible for you. There are lots of vehicle adaptations available. For example: adaptations to help you get in the car as a passenger; adaptations to help you drive. 

Wheelchair users will find that most wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) have a lowered floor. There will be a ramp or electronic lift. You can choose whether you want to transfer or remain in your wheelchair. Most people stay in the wheelchair as a passenger at the back of the vehicle. You usually have a standard seat alongside you. A system of simple straps keeps you fully secure. 

Motability offers some adaptations for free. Check the website to see if the adaptations you need are free as standard. 

There are more complex adaptions. You can drive some WAVs directly from your wheelchair. Other adaptations will allow internal transfer to the driving seat. The Motability Foundation offers grants for adaptations for disabled people who qualify.

Ordering your vehicle or WAV

Once you've chosen the right vehicle, the Motability vehicle supplier will help you to place your order and handle the paperwork. You can start the application process online through your Motability Scheme online account. 

Vehicle Conversion and Delivery

Your Motability vehicle supplier will convert the vehicle and deliver it to your home.

Vehicle Aftercare: Repair and Maintenance 

The Motability Scheme covers vehicle repair and maintenance. This includes servicing, maintenance, breakdown assistance, tyre replacement and bodywork repairs. There is also an annual vehicle check for the duration of your vehicle lease. 

Vehicle Aftercare: Insurance (including changes in the Budget 2025)  

Your insurance is provided via the Motability Scheme. This is through a partnership between Direct Line and Motability. You can find extra information in a Direct Line Motability pdf file. 
 
We’ve seen that one of the changes in the Chancellor’s November 2025 Budget relates to insurance. From July 2026, insurance premium tax (IPT) will be introduced for some Motability vehicles. This will apply only to new lease agreements for vehicles that are NOT wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs). Motability will pass on further details of these changes in 2026.  

Motability vehicle drivers  

It is important to know who can drive your Motability vehicle. This will depend on the type of vehicle insurance you have.  

Motability vehicle drivers must have a valid UK or EU driving licence. There are age-related restrictions applying to drivers under 30 and under 25. Other than the disabled person, there can only be one driver under 21. (These age-related restrictions might apply even if you have an open insurance policy, although the Motability website is unclear.) 

Named drivers 

f you have named drivers on your insurance policy, it must be only those people who drive your vehicle. If you have a Motability vehicle, the insurance can cover up to a total of three named drivers.  (If you, the disabled person, are also a driver, this total of three includes you too.)  

Open insurance policy

Some disabled people have an open insurance policy. This means most drivers with a valid UK or EU driving licence can drive the vehicle. It excludes drivers with motoring convictions in the last five years. It also excludes drivers with at-fault accidents in the last five years. 

An open insurance policy is especially useful if you need several different drivers.  For example: if you started working with a new carer, you wouldn’t have to add them to a list of named drivers. 

An open insurance policy is usually available for people in any of the following situations: 

  • People who need a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) 
  • People who are eligible to live in a care home  
  • People who have full-time care needs 

Drivers with points on their licence or motoring convictions 

If an intended driver of your Motability vehicle gets points on their licence or a motoring convinction, you must tell Motability as soon as possible. This applies before or during your lease agreement.   
 
If this happens during your lease agreement, you could go straight to Direct Line Motability and speak to them. 

New, lower mileage limit 

The Motability scheme is currently considering a new, lower mileage limit. The existing mileage limits are likely to apply until July 2026 but the timeline is currently unclear. 

The existing mileage limits are 

  • 60,000 miles over a three-year lease 
  • 100,000 miles over a five-year lease 

Ending overseas breakdown cover 

The Motability scheme is currently considering ending overseas breakdown cover. The timeline for the new policy is currently unclear. 

The end of overseas breakdown cover and the new mileage limit could be introduced to help reduce extra costs.

For more information on the Motability scheme, visit the Motability website. 

Get in touch 

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