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Original poster

Question about Motability Scheme

44 replies

HotChocolateLover · 12/07/2019 17:44

I’m thinking about applying for a car through The Motability Scheme as I receive higher rate mobility for epilepsy. Obviously that means I don’t drive myself so my husband would be the nominated driver. There’s one thing we can’t work out though and wondered if anyone has experience. Basically, he will be going away for work next year on 4 separate occasions for a week at a time. Would he be allowed to take the Motability car? There is no-one else here to drive me so it would just be sat on the drive all week if he doesn’t take it. I will either have to work from home on those weeks or get a lift from my mum.
Thanks.

OP posts:
Ninkaninus · 12/07/2019 17:48

I don’t know the answer but I do know that the motability customer service team is very good. It’s probably worth giving them a call as they will be able to help you.

clpsmum · 12/07/2019 17:50

Yes he would be allowed to take the car x

Original poster
HotChocolateLover · 12/07/2019 17:54

That’s useful to know @clpsmum as it’s the one thing that’s making us um and ahh about applying.

OP posts:

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General health
IcaMorgan · 12/07/2019 19:12

No he cant take it as it has to be being used for you and him using it for work doesn't count

IcaMorgan · 12/07/2019 19:13

What you can do is get a second driver on the insurance to drive you around when your husband can't

Original poster
HotChocolateLover · 12/07/2019 19:20

Luckily his work will provide a hire car if customer services say it’s a no so really it’s a moot point. We just don’t want to do anything that would invalidate the lease. He will be driving me to work mainly and then all the normal day to day life stuff which is what it’s for.

OP posts:
TheHatOfDoom · 12/07/2019 19:25

My understanding is it can be used as part of normal family life so your DP could use it to go to their normal place of work only. But definitely check, it’s a good 15 years since I had a motability car and I’m basing that on my family being told that back then and a friend who got one for her kid being told that last year.

Organisedclutter · 12/07/2019 21:29

I don't know about the car, but if you have a disabled class tax disc, then that would mean he can't.
Rules over vehicles registered for disabled tax are they must only be used by or for the disabled person.
So he can go to the chemist for you in it, go pick up a delivery to the PO for you in it, take you places in it, but can't go to work to earn money in it, even if some of it is benefiting you.

Ladvisor · 12/07/2019 21:59

No tax discs now.

serenadoundy · 12/07/2019 22:15

There are no physical discs, no. However all cars are tax registered and the disabled tax thing is still the same as it would be if we had discs in the window.

The ruling is also the same regarding use as it is for mobility cars.

Ladvisor · 12/07/2019 22:19

Your DH is on the insurance OP. It would only be an issue if he was using it in a way that deprived you of it's use and you were unhappy or disputed it.
Otherwise, it's a common sense decision and thanks to Motabilty having to answer questions to a Parliamentary Select Committee, they are investing more money in supporting the people who use the scheme instead of themselves
It's to help you and your life.
All of it.
But there'll be LOTS of gainsayers.
My son has had a Motability car for 27 years, I'm the driver, no problems.
I use it for him and also for me, to enable me to keep on 'caring'.
Given a choice, I'd rather get the bus Wink

Ladvisor · 12/07/2019 22:22

So who's going to be checking up on this virtual tax disc?
Who's going to say it's not allowed?
Let me guess....

serenadoundy · 12/07/2019 22:25

So who's going to be checking up on this virtual tax disc?

I don't know what you mean.

Vehicle tax hasn't changed because there are no discs on display Confused

Ladvisor · 12/07/2019 22:32

I mean that for 52 weeks next year the OP - who qualifies for higher rate mobility component- will have access to her car.
Nobody.
Nobody. Is going to question the potential 4 weeks except perhaps you and others of a like mind.

serenadoundy · 12/07/2019 22:36

Nobody. Is going to question the potential 4 weeks except perhaps you and others of a like mind.

I wasn't questioning anything. I posted a link to the OP to give the correct information. Not sure what your problem is, but perhaps get your facts straight before posting ridiculous accusations.

Ladvisor · 12/07/2019 22:43

My son has 28 days and nights respite each year.
Never had a problem from Motability or DVLA.
It's about to be increased to 42 because of his increased needs.
Should I be worried?
No.

Ladvisor · 12/07/2019 22:44

Car stays with me when he's in respite.
Am I a criminal?
Ooh, I hope so. Wink

serenadoundy · 12/07/2019 22:46

You are literally ranting at yourself and spoiling OP's thread Hmm

Ladvisor · 12/07/2019 22:51

Spoiling the thread...
What I'm doing is informing about the real world.
Do you @serenadoundy have or use as a primary carer a Motability car?

starfishmummy · 12/07/2019 22:52

The car would be in your name and (he) can't deprive you of it's use. If he takes it away that could theoretically mean you are deprived of its use especially if you are having to make other arrangements to get around.

So you could name another driver on the lease .

But I guess the question is, how would "they" know.

Omzlas · 12/07/2019 22:52

AFAIK the car is treated as a 'normal' family car. I know someone who uses their car to drive someone (not the person for whom the vehicle is provided) to work, run the kids to school, commuting etc.

Call the CS helpline though, don't take MN word for it

serenadoundy · 12/07/2019 22:55

ISpoiling the thread...

Well you are renting away at nothing....
What I'm doing is informing about the real world.

Oh ok. What you have done is ranted and raved and talked about yourself. What I did was oust a helpful link to Motability for OP.

Do you @serenadoundy have or use as a primary carer aMotability car?

That's none of your business.

Sleepyblueocean · 12/07/2019 22:58

The disabled class tax restriction on use doesn't apply to motability vehicles.

Ladvisor · 12/07/2019 23:03

@ serenadoundy Aye, right. Ok. Wink

Phone Motability OP they'll tell you it's OK as long as you qualify for higher rate mobility and the vehicle is there for your needs when required.
You can nominate another driver, my husband is named and recently I found out that supporting Agencies can also be added (in the olden says of Motability they charged a FORTUNE for any add-ons and built up a FORTUNE of reserves in the bank, hence appearance in front of Select Committee to explain) now it's affordable to add a third name, especially if it helps the person whose life it's meant to assist.