Information for carers and appointees

The Motability Scheme enables disabled people to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair by exchanging their Government funded mobility allowance. If you receive any of the acceptable allowances, you may be eligible to join the Motability Scheme and order a new car with one of our Motability Offers.

If you are not the disabled person, but are acting on their behalf as an appointee or nominee, then you may find the following information useful.

What’s the difference between an appointee and a nominee?

An appointee is someone that has the authority to speak to us on a customer’s behalf. A nominee has no legal rights and the customer’s Motability agreement is still in their name.

woman and child unloading shopping bags out of the boot of a car

What is an appointee?

Appointees are solely responsible for collecting state benefits for the disabled person and for deciding how they are used.

They are assigned by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or Veterans UK and are usually a family member. An appointee may be needed when the disabled person is under 16 years old or unable to look after their own affairs.

The appointee and the Motability Scheme

As an appointee, you would be the hirer of the Motability vehicle and legally responsible for the lease agreement, on behalf of the disabled person. It’s therefore your responsibility to ensure that the car is used for the right purpose and that the disabled person has full access to the car. You also take full responsibility for any outstanding monies for the Motability lease agreement.



What is a corporate appointee?

A corporate appointee is an organisation that is solely responsible for the collection and use of state benefits for the disabled person. They are assigned by the DWP or Veterans UK and may be social services or a charity, for example.

The corporate appointee and the Motability Scheme

As a corporate appointee, it’s your responsibility to ensure that the car is used for the right purpose and the disabled person has full access to the car. You also take full responsibility for any outstanding monies for the Motability lease agreement. View the full terms and conditions.

About nominees

Data protection rules mean we’re unable discuss a Motability customer’s agreement with anyone other than the customer unless the person is named as a ‘nominee’ on the agreement.

Appointed nominees will be able to speak and make minor changes to the agreement on the customer’s behalf, including:

  • Minor changes such as changing address details

  • Add or remove drivers through our insurers, RSA Motability

The form needs to be signed by both the Motability customer and the new contact, and for extra security a password can be set.

About carers

We understand that for some people having a carer is important and a vital way of keeping their mobility. A carer can help the disabled person choose a Motability car and apply to join the Scheme. But it’s important to remember that as they have not been assigned by the DWP or Veterans UK, they cannot do this on the disabled person’s behalf.

Man and women talking at the side of a building