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Independent Driving Solutions (IDS)

Our Independent Driving Solutions grant may help to pay for the extra costs of a vehicle specially adapted for your needs. This grant is for independent drivers who need to transfer inside the vehicle, or drive while staying in their wheelchair or need hi-tech controls in a standard car.

We aim to fund what’s essential to help you make everyday journeys, in the most affordable way possible so that we can maximise the impact of our resources.

The cost of these vehicles is very high. We only fund grants for disabled people who have no alternative but to drive themselves, find independent vehicle use essential, and will make good use of the vehicle, in line with our criteria. This ensures our grants deliver the greatest impact.

All applications are means tested to help make sure the grant goes to people who are most in need of financial help. If you are eligible for a grant but can pay something towards the cost, we may ask you to do that.

Scheme-related grant

Who can apply 

You can apply if:

  • you are a disabled person or the appointee for a disabled person on the Motability Scheme, or applying to join.
  • you have either a provisional or full UK driving licence valid for at least 12 months.
  • you are not planning to change your wheelchair in the next 12 months.
  • if you intend to drive from your wheelchair in the vehicle, this must be a crash tested powered wheelchair that is compatible auto-tie down.

And you will find an Independent Driving Solution essential for one of the following key factors:

  • Journeys for work - you travel independently to a place of work for an average of 12 hours or more a week.
  • Journeys for a volunteer role - you travel independently to a place of volunteering for an average of 12 hours or more a week, evidenced for at least six months prior to your application.
  • Journeys for education – you travel independently to a place of full-time education or training for an average of 12 hours or more a week.
  • Journeys to support the care of another person - you need to make essential journeys to care for dependants with disabilities or young children.
  • In exceptional circumstances - you are not in a situation listed above but your circumstances make the use of an Independent Driving Solution essential for your everyday mobility. Consideration may be given to the length of time using the Motability Scheme, frequent medical appointments where there is no suitable hospital transportation or aspects of profound isolation where no other possible solutions are suitable. This is not an exhaustive list.

What the grant covers

  • the Advance Payment for a suitable independent driving solution, including the cost of the vehicle and the adaptations.
  • minor adaptations during your lease if your needs have changed.
  • lessons with a local driving instructor, arranged through the AA Driving School, if you are a provisional licence holder.
  • familiarisation lessons, if you are a full licence holder but need to get used to a new way of driving using your independent driving solution.

What the grant does not cover

  • your personal preference for high-specification or premium cars.
  • dealer options, unless essential for access or disability need.
  • your personal preferences for fuel type, brand or vehicle conversion specialist.
  • a vehicle you have already ordered.
  • major changes to driving controls during your lease, such as a change from lo-tech to hi-tech driving controls, this may require a new application.
  • adaptations for a non-Scheme vehicle.
  • vehicles that are not available on the Motability Scheme.
  • any ongoing or running costs associated with the vehicle such as fuel or electricity.
  • the cost of your theory or practical driving test.

Common questions:

There are different kinds of independent driving solutions depending on your needs. These include:

  • an internal transfer solution, where you stay in your wheelchair to get into the vehicle using a ramp or lift, then move to a special driver’s seat inside the vehicle
  • a drive-from-wheelchair solution, where you stay in your powered wheelchair and drive from that position
  • a standard car with high-tech driving controls, including controls such as foot steering.

It means you need to be able to drive on your own, without help from someone else.

This grant is for people who cannot get in and out of a car or cannot safely mobilise outside a vehicle after stowing a mobility device or need hi-tech controls to drive a standard car safely.

We will assess your needs and if a car with adaptations or a passenger WAV might be more suitable, we may consider this.

No. If you have full-time paid carer which includes driving responsibilities, or someone who can drive receives carers allowance for you, we would suggest you apply for a passenger WAV through our WAV grant.

No. If someone receives carers allowance and can drive for you, we would suggest you apply for a passenger WAV through our WAV grant.

A vehicle conversion specialist is the company who adapts a vehicle for wheelchair access as either a passenger or a driver.

No. You must apply and wait for us to confirm whether your application has been successful before placing a vehicle order. 

You must get one of these disability benefits to join the Motability Scheme:

  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – Enhanced rate mobility
  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – Higher rate mobility
  • Scottish Adult DLA – Higher rate mobility
  • Adult Disability Payment (Scotland) – Enhanced rate mobility
  • Child Disability Payment (Scotland) – Higher rate mobility
  • War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment

This will depend on your household income and financial circumstances. We will inform you if we think you need to contribute.

If you choose to make a voluntary contribution towards your Advance Payment grant, there are limits within our policy. Grant applicants can add up to £750 or 50 per cent of the Advance Payment grant, whichever is lower.

No, not unless we request this after reviewing your application.

No. We will assess your needs with our own Mobility and Driving Advisors.

New Independent Driving Solutions and all new accessible vehicles, are leased over five years. Nearly New Independent Driving Solutions are leased over three years. If your vehicle remains suitable at the end of your lease, we may recommend you keep it for longer. 

You can apply for adaptations or an alternative solution partway through your lease if your current solution no longer works. Your application will be subject to eligibility at the time of your new application.

Yes, especially if your condition has changed or you need a different type of vehicle. Your application will be subject to eligibility at the time of your new application.

If your vehicle remains suitable at the end of your lease, we may recommend you keep it for longer. 

No. There are a small number of vehicles available on the Motability Scheme that are suitable as an Independent Driving Solution. We’ll help you find the right driving solution for your needs through our assessment.

No. Provisional licence holders are encouraged to take their theory test prior to delivery, but it is not essential to pass your theory test before applying for an independent driving solution as driving lessons are funded as part of this grant.

Yes. A small percentage of applicants for this grant need to learn to drive in an independent driving solution and not a standard instructor car. You must already have your provisional licence. You can apply ahead of passing your theory test. We’ll fund your lessons if we fund your Independent Driving Solution.

Yes. If they are a Motability Scheme customer and meet all the eligibility criteria. For example, you can apply on behalf of your disabled child (aged 16 or over) or partner if you are their appointee. The applicant will need to be available to participate in an independent driving assessment.

Familiarisation lessons are for people who already have a driving licence. They help you get used to a new way of driving.

If you need familiarisation lessons, we may fund:

  • a dual brake in your Scheme vehicle
  • up to 5 hours of familiarisation lessons
  • we may fund more hours if your instructor recommends this

You must get one of these disability benefits to join the Motability Scheme and have at least 12 months remaining on your award:

  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – Enhanced rate mobility
  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – Higher rate mobility
  • Scottish Adult DLA – Higher rate mobility
  • Adult Disability Payment (Scotland) – Enhanced rate mobility
  • Child Disability Payment (Scotland) – Higher rate mobility
  • War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment

No. We carry out our own means testing process on all applications. We will ask you about your household income and savings. We may ask you to pay something towards the cost of your vehicle or adaptations.

Yes. One of our Mobility and Driving Advisors will visit you in person. You will need to be able to take part in an active independent driving assessment to help us provide the most suitable solution.

Yes. If you need more space for essential equipment, the grant may help with the cost of a bigger vehicle. We’ll look at what’s needed when we assess your application and visit you.

You can only have one grant at a time, but we’ll help you apply for the right one.

If your needs change later, you may be able to apply again in the future.

If you applied online, you should have got an email straight away to say we’ve received it.

If you posted your form, we’ll aim to contact you within two working days of getting it.

Right now, lots of people are applying for grants. It may take us around four weeks to start looking at your application. We’ll be in touch as soon as we can. Thank you for being patient.

People we have supported with an IDS grant...

Your stories
Nazmin is sitting at a table in a café with a cup of tea. She is smiling brightly while talking to a friend. She has brown hair tied in a bun and is wearing a navy shirt with pink flowers.

Nazmin

Independent Driving Solutions (IDS)
Moosa is sitting in his vehicle with hand controls smiling. His wife is behind the car, standing next to Moosa, smiling.

Moosa

Independent Driving Solutions (IDS)
Mathy is sitting in the drivers seat of her vehicle smiling. She is looking to the left and choosing a button on a panel within her vehicle. She is wearing a yellow knitted jumper, blue jeans and has short black hair in a bob.

Mathy

Independent Driving Solutions (IDS)
Your stories