Many individuals receiving the higher or enhanced rates of disability benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment (ADP) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA), may not realise they could qualify for free driving lessons through a grant provided by the Motability Scheme.

The 'Driving Lessons Grant Programme' offered by the charity can provide grants towards the cost of learning to drive for disabled people who hold a provisional licence and wish to obtain a full licence. The scheme also offers grants to disabled drivers who already have a licence but require familiarisation lessons, which could be beneficial for anyone needing to adjust to a new adapted vehicle.

For those holding a provisional driving licence, the programme provides up to 40 hours of driving lessons to assist in passing their driving test. However, it's crucial to remember that individuals will still need to cover the costs of both the theory and practical driving tests themselves.

To qualify for the free driving lessons, you must have a current lease agreement on the Motability Scheme or have 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 brief guide to eligibility details is further explained in this article.

It's estimated that the average learner driver requires between 40-50 hours of lessons before they are ready for the test, so these complimentary lessons offered through Motability could potentially cover someone's entire learning journey, reports .

James Armstrong, CEO of Veygo Insurance, has highlighted the steep costs involved in obtaining a driving licence: "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 a huge cost and barrier to learning to drive for many across the country."

Motability outlines the process for grant applications, noting that during peak times it could take up to 10 weeks for an application to be assigned to a Case Manager.

The organisation's guidance clarifies the means-testing approach: "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."

Eligibility for the Motability Driving Lessons Grant Programme is currently focused on individuals who are:.

1. Beneficiaries of certain disability allowances, such as:.

Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of the Adult Disability Payment.

2. Recipients of a Government-assessed means-tested benefit.

For further details on the grant and eligibility requirements, interested parties are encouraged to visit the Motability website.