Driving Lessons

IMPORTANT: The Driving Lessons Grant is only for disabled people who are on the Motability Scheme and meet the additional programme criteria, which are listed below.

You can only apply if you:

have a Motability Scheme vehicle or one arriving in the next four months
hold a provisional UK driving licence
have passed your theory test
receive a means tested benefit

The Driving Lessons Grant can be used if you're learning to drive for the first time.

If you are already a full licence holder, but we have grant-funded a change in driving adaptations to your Scheme vehicle, we may be able to fund familiarisation lessons. These help you to get used to a new way of driving. 

Type: Access to mobility grant

What the grant covers

Up to 40 hours of funded driving lessons with a local driving instructor, arranged through the AA Driving School.
Familiarisation lessons if you have received a grant for driving adaptations.

What the grant does not cover

The cost of your theory or practical driving test.
Familiarisation lessons if you have not received a grant for driving adaptations.
Driving lessons for family members, carers or personal assistants.
Adaptations such as dual controls or an instructor brake for self-funded driving lessons.

Common questions:

Can anyone on benefits apply?

No. You must be a disabled person who is on the Motability Scheme and meet the additional programme criteria, which are listed in the “Which means-tested benefits do I need to get a Driving Lessons Grant?” common question below. This grant is not for people who only receive benefits.

Do I need to pass my theory test first?

Yes. You must pass before applying. You’ll need to show your certificate.

Can I apply on behalf of someone else in my household?

Yes. If they are a Motability Scheme customer and meet all the eligibility criteria, you can do the application for them, for example, you can apply on behalf of your disabled child (16 or over) or partner if you are their appointee.

What are familiarisation lessons?

Familiarisation lessons are for people who already have a driving licence and have received grant-funded driving adaptations from the Motability Foundation. They help you get used to a new way of driving in a car or when using driving adaptations.

If you need familiarisation lessons, we may also fund:

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

Which disability benefits do I need to join the Motability Scheme?

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

Which means tested benefits do I need to get a Driving Lessons Grant?

As well as being a Motability Scheme customer, you must also receive one of these means tested benefits:

Universal Credit
Income Support
Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)
Jobseeker’s Allowance (income-based)
Housing Benefit
Council Tax Support (or Rate Relief in Northern Ireland)
Pension Guarantee Credit
Working Tax Credit

There are exceptions for full-time students. See, “Can I apply if I’m studying full-time but do not receive a means tested benefit?” to find out more.

What if I leave the Motability Scheme part-way through taking grant funded lessons

You must keep your Scheme agreement active while using the grant.

If your agreement ends or your order is cancelled, we’ll stop your Driving Lessons Grant.

Can I have grant funded lessons if I passed my test overseas and need to convert to a UK licence

No. You would need to pay for any lessons and tests to convert to a UK licence yourself.

Can I apply if I'm studying full-time but do not receive a means tested benefit?

Yes, if all of the following apply:

you’re under 25.
you’re a Motability Scheme customer.
your parent or guardian receives a means tested benefit.
you have a provisional licence and have passed your theory test.
or you need familiarisation lessons for a grant-funded vehicle.

Can I apply if my licence was taken away?

No. If your provisional licence was revoked for more than 30 days in the last five years you cannot apply for a full course of driving lessons as a new learner.

I sent my application but have not heard anything. What should I do?

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.

If you think you might be eligible to apply for a Driving Lessons Grant, here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Step 1: Get your documents ready

Before you call us, please have the following documents and details to hand:

your National Insurance number
your theory test certificate
proof of a means tested benefit
any details about driving adaptations (if applicable)

Step 2: Give us a call

Call us on 0800 500 3186, we’re available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

During the call, we’ll:

Check your eligibility
Explain the next steps
Support any accessibility needs you may have for completing the application

Step 3: Complete your application

If you're eligible to apply, we’ll send you a link to our secure online application portal. You will need to fill out the form and upload your documents within 30 days.

Step 4: Contact with your Case Manager

Once your application is submitted and your documents are approved, you’ll be assigned a dedicated Case Manager. They will contact you and may ask for any additional information.

Step 5: Receive a decision

We’ll review your application and notify you of the outcome. You’ll hear from us as soon as a decision has been made.

If your application is not approved

If your Driving Lessons Grant application is not successful, we will let you know the reason. Common reasons include:

You are not currently on the Motability Scheme
You do not hold a valid provisional driving licence
You have not passed your theory test yet
You are not receiving a means tested benefit

You may be able to apply again in the future once your circumstances change.

If you have any questions or need support, please call us on 0800 500 3186 or visit our Contact us page.

If your application is approved

We will let you know if your grant is approved. AA Driving School, who arrange lessons for Motability Foundation grant recipients, will then contact you to discuss finding the right instructor. The instructor will then contact you directly to organise regular lessons.

Wait times for starting these lessons can vary depending on:

where you live
your availability
the type of vehicle you need
the type of instructor you need

Please note: If you can only do lessons at certain times (like evenings or weekends), it may take longer to find an instructor. Lessons should be completed within 12 months of receiving your grant.