Did you know if you claim higher rates of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA), you could also be entitled to free driving lessons?

The ‘Driving Lessons Grant Programme’ supported by the Motability scheme gives financial support to disabled people wanting to get behind the wheel  as well as covering the cost for drivers who hold a licence but wish to have extra lessons helping them to familiarise themselves with new vehicles.

Disabled people with provisional driving licences can apply for up to 40 free hours of driving lessons, although they still need to pay for theory and practical driving lessons.

James Armstrong, CEO of Veygo Insurance, told the Daily Record: "With the average driving lesson now costing £35 per hour, and learner drivers needing around 45 hours of professional instruction to pass their tests, the cost of learning to drive is currently sitting around £1,575. This is nearly five per cent of the average annual income for a UK household (£32,300 in 2022), introducing a huge cost and barrier to learning to drive for many across the country.”

After making an application to Motability you will be assigned to a Case Manager within 10 weeks.

The guidance states: "All grant applications are means-tested to ensure Motability supports those most in need of a charitable grant and help as many beneficiaries as possible with the charitable funds available. This means we will look at your financial situation to determine if we are able to provide a grant towards your lessons."

To be eligible for the Motability Driving Lessons Grant Programme you must be in receipt of one of the following allowances:

• Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP
• Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of the Adult Disability Payment
• Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance
• Higher Rate Mobility Component of Child Disability Payment
• War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
• Armed Forces Independence Payment

You also need to receive a Government assessed means-tested benefit, including:

• Universal Credit
• Income Support
• Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)
• Job Seekers Allowance (income-based)
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Benefit (Council Tax Support, Council Tax Reduction)
• Pension Guarantee Credit
• Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit

There’s one more stipulation, you must have a current lease agreement on the Motability Scheme or a pending application for a vehicle on the Motability Scheme with a confirmed date to take delivery of the vehicle within the next four months.

[ A South Korean woman finally passed her driving test on her 960th attempt, after spending more than £11,000 to get her licence. ]