Motability for disabled children, carers and residential-care arrangements

Step by step

1. Check the qualifying mobility allowance

   The disabled person must receive one of the Scheme's qualifying mobility allowances. In England, a child can usually join from age 3 where they receive the higher-rate mobility component of DLA. Confirm the current award-duration and application rules directly with Motability.

2. A parent or carer may be a named driver

   Motability can cover up to three approved drivers on a car or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle lease. Only drivers listed on the insurance certificate may drive. Being a parent or carer does not create an automatic right to control the vehicle; the customer, benefit appointee and Motability arrangements must be clear.

3. Every journey must benefit the disabled person

   The disabled person does not need to be in the vehicle for every journey. Shopping, visiting family or another routine journey can be allowed where the disabled person benefits. It must not become a general family car for journeys unrelated to them.

4. Residential care does not automatically end a lease

   Motability says a lease can continue while the person still receives the qualifying higher-rate or component mobility allowance and still benefits from the vehicle. Ask DWP and Motability to confirm the individual position before relying on weekend or family-time use.

5. Record the practical plan

   Where a child is looked after, agree who is the benefit appointee or Scheme customer, who keeps the vehicle, approved drivers, insurance, storage, handovers and how each planned use benefits the child. Record this through the care or placement planning process.