The Motability Scheme was first started to assist disabled people in leasing a vehicle, whether that be a car, WAV, powerered wheelchair or scooter. The Motability Scheme helps their members with vehicle acquisition, insurance, breakdown cover, tyres and servicing and currently has over half a million members across the country.

The scheme allows its members to rent a vehicle in exchange for their goverment motibility allowances, which are granted to basically all disabled people. This allows disabled people to rent a brand new, custom designed vehicle, without having to worry about making a major financial commitment.

The scheme can be utilised by anyone who recieves the ‘war pensioners’ motibility supplement’, or the ‘higher rate motibility component of disability allowance. The Motability Scheme has no waiting lists, and you won’t have to worry about being forced to take a medical assessment, as there are none. Even if you’re a non-driver, you can still apply to be given a WAV (or alternative) as a passenger. In a similar way, parents and carers can also apply on behalf of a young child.

Once you’ve made your application and been accepted, you’ll need to decide whether you’re more suited to the car scheme or the powered wheelchair and scooter scheme.

The car scheme allows you to take a totally new car every 5 years, with insurance, breakdown cover, modifications, replacement tyres, services and maintenance all being included. The car hire scheme also features a hire purchase option, should you want to eventually own the vehicle outright. There’s an impressive collection of disabled vehicles available to choose from, including the award-winning Nissan NV200.

The powered wheelchair and scooter scheme includes a brand new scooter or wheelchair every three years, with insurance, breakdown assistance, servicing and maintenance and free battery replacement. With the previous scheme, you would need to exchange the entirety of your weekly mobility allowance, whereas with this scheme most products are available for less than the full amount of your government allowance.