I'm a Carer, Can I Drive a Motability Car?
If you’re a carer 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.
Shopping, doctors and hospital appointments, popping out for milk, all these things most of us take for granted; being able to do these day to day activities with much more ease, as well as being able to go for days out to the sea-side, for picnics, for mini-adventures, all of this and more is possible with a Motability car.
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 does it work?
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 or nominee.
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 even a third driver can 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.
Throughout the year, Swansway Motor Group will continue partnering with the wonderful Circus Starr once again. Circus Starr is a touring circus boasting world-class, professional artists from across the globe. With our help, Circus Starr is able to provide an enjoyable day out for thousands of disadvantaged, disabled or vulnerable children.
For each one of the Motability cars purchased from Swansway Group, we fund one child and their carer to attend the circus.
In 2020, we’re happy to say that with the donations we’ve made from the sale of every one of our Motability cars, Swansway Group has helped to send 682 children and their carers to the Circus.
Contact your nearest Motability Swansway Group dealership to find out which Motability cars are on offer, and let us help you to find your independence today.