I'm a Carer, Can I Drive a Motability Car?
If you care for someone who receives higher rate mobility allowance, then a car on the Motability scheme can truly be a lifeline, both for them, and for you as a carer.
From hospital appointments to something as simple as popping out for milk, those everyday things that many of us take for granted, can be difficult when you are balancing the needs of a dependent alongside access to a car. The Motability Scheme makes these everyday tasks, as well as fun ones like trips to the seaside, possible with the freedom that a Motability car brings.
If you care for a child or someone who doesn’t drive, or who can no longer drive due to their medical issues, as their carer, you can be added as a named driver instead.
How can Carers access the Motability Scheme?
If anyone in your household receives higher rate mobility allowance such as DLA or PIP, they can exchange this to lease a car. As their carer, you may be able to do this on their behalf; for example, as the parent of a disabled child.
There are three ways carers can drive a Motability scheme car:
- as a named driver
- appointee
- nominee.
Let’s take a look at these in more detail to understand how this works.
A Named Driver
If the person you care for can drive, they may add you to the Motability car as a named driver. Many Motability drivers choose to have their spouse or friend as a named driver; this can help when there’s an emergency or if they’re feeling under the weather and not up to driving.
Two named drivers are included as part of the Motability lease and a third driver can even be added for an additional cost.
There are some rules as to who is eligible to be added as a named driver:
- A named driver should live no more than 5 miles away from the disabled person’s address; although Motability will look at this rule in exceptional circumstances.
- Before choosing the best Motability car remember that driver under 25 are restricted to cars with 120 bhp or less and with an ABI insurance group of 16 or less.
- Only one named driver can be under 21 years old and that named driver could be the person who is eligible for Motability.
- Named drivers should be using the car for the benefit of the disabled person, but this doesn’t mean they need to be in the car for every journey; the car can be used for shopping and other day to day activities that are needed to keep the household running.
- A temporary named driver can also be added, for up to 30 days at a time; useful if you’re being visited by friends or relatives. or going on holiday.
An Appointee
Appointees are assigned by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or Veterans UK and are solely responsible for collecting benefits for the disabled person, as well as making decisions as to how the benefits are used.
Often the Appointee is a family member and may be needed in situations where the disabled person is under 16 years old, or where they are severely disabled.
As an appointee you can apply to join the Motability Scheme on the disabled person’s behalf you’ll then be legally responsible for the lease agreement and it will be your responsibility to ensure that the Motability car is used for the right purpose and that the disabled person has full access to it.
A Nominee
A nominee is a person or it can be more than one person, who’s been nominated to act on behalf of the disabled person with reference to the Motability scheme. As a Nominee you can make minor changes to customer details, such as changing the address, but you’re not legally responsible for the lease in the same way an appointee would be.
The Motability Scheme customer’s agreement will never be discussed with anyone other than a nominee or an appointee and you will have been named on the lease agreement.
If the person you care for has a progressive condition, which may mean that eventually, they’ll be less able to deal with their own affairs; then it may be a good idea for them to assign an appointee or nominee to act on their behalf.
Swansway Group are proud to represent Audi, BYD, CUPRA, Honda, PEUGEOT, SEAT, Volkswagen and Volkswagen Vans at our dealerships across the North West. Our friendly Motability Experts will be happy to talk you through how to apply for the Motability Scheme and help you to add a named driver so the only thing you’ll need to worry about is the adventures you’ll go on together!
