Up to three named drivers can drive a Motability Scheme car, and you don't have to be one of them.
Your drivers can be family members, friends or carers, as long as the Scheme's insurer approves them and the car is used for your benefit.
Here's how named drivers work, who can join the Scheme and how to make changes during your lease.
Who Can Join The Scheme?
The Motability Scheme is open to disabled people who receive a qualifying mobility allowance with at least 12 months left on their award.
You can join with the enhanced rate mobility part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The higher rate mobility part of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) also qualifies.
Service personnel and veterans receiving War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement or Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) can join too.
In Scotland, the enhanced rate mobility part of Adult Disability Payment and the higher rate mobility component of Child Disability Payment also qualify.
Lower rate mobility payments, Attendance Allowance, Carer's Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance can't be used to join.
You don't need a driving licence to join, because your named drivers can drive for you. Our Motability Scheme FAQs cover eligibility in more detail.
What Is A Named Driver?
A named driver is someone listed as a 'permitted driver' on your Certificate of Motor Insurance.
Motability Scheme insurance comes as part of your lease, provided through Direct Line Motability (DLM), and covers up to three drivers at a time.
Only the people named on your policy are insured to drive your car.
Someone with fully comprehensive cover on their own vehicle still can't drive your car unless you've added them as a named driver.
Can Someone Else Drive For You?
Yes. If you can't drive, or would rather not, your named drivers can take the wheel for you.
They might be your partner, a parent, your son or daughter, a close friend or a carer.
Your drivers don't have to live with you. If none of them share your address, the Scheme may fit a location tracker to check the car is benefitting you.
The same can apply if you live in a care home where several drivers have access to the car. The Scheme will talk to you before fitting one.
Rules For Your Named Drivers
Every driver needs DLM's approval before they're added to your policy.
Drivers must hold a full UK or EU driving licence.
Learners with a provisional licence can drive your car when accompanied by a full UK licence holder. Other conditions apply, so read the Scheme's guidance for provisional licence holders first.
Drivers Under 25
If one of your drivers is under 25, the cars you can choose from are more limited.
Petrol, diesel and hybrid cars need to sit in ABI insurance group 16 or lower, with 120bhp or less.
Electric vehicles need to sit in ABI group 21 or lower, with 140bhp or less.
There's no bhp limit for under-25s driving Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs).
Only one driver under 21 is allowed, and they must live at the disabled person's address.
Convictions And Penalty Points
Anyone disqualified from driving in the last five years can't be a named driver.
The same applies to anyone whose insurance has been cancelled or declared void because of fraud or misrepresentation.
Tell DLM about any penalty points a driver already holds, and any new points they pick up during your lease.
Leaving points or disqualifications undeclared could breach your lease agreement and affect your cover.
Using The Car For Your Benefit
Your car is leased to support the disabled person, so it must be used by them or for their benefit.
You don't always need to be a passenger. A named driver collecting your prescription or picking up your shopping is still using the car for you.
When your car is ordered, you, your named drivers and the dealership all sign a Statement of Responsibilities form confirming you understand the rules.
Lending or selling the car counts as misuse. So does using it for business the Scheme hasn't agreed, such as taxi work or deliveries.
Misuse can end your lease and stop you leasing another Scheme vehicle, so check how you can and can't use your car before you collect it.
Support For Multiple Carers
If several carers drive you regularly, an open insurance policy lets different carers use the same vehicle to support you.
You may be eligible if you live in a care home, nursing home or residential school, or receive 24-hour paid care.
Customers with a WAV who need more than one person to drive for their care can also apply.
Drivers on an open policy need a full UK or EU licence, no at-fault accidents in the last three years and no motoring convictions in the last five.
To apply, call DLM on 0300 037 3737.
Adding Or Changing A Driver
You can add, remove or update your drivers at any time through your Motability Scheme online account.
Ordering your car at a Vertu dealership? Just tell our Motability Scheme specialists who you'd like insured.
New drivers who pass DLM's checks are insured straight away.
You can also call DLM on 0300 037 3737. Only you, your appointee or your nominee can request a change, and the new driver must be with you on the call.
Emergency Drivers
If someone needs to drive your car unexpectedly, you can add an emergency driver for up to five days.
This option is available up to four times a year. If you already have three named drivers, you'll need to remove one first.
Emergency drivers are for exceptional circumstances. Anyone who drives for you regularly should be added as a permanent named driver.
Keeping Details Up To Date
Let DLM know straight away if a driver moves home or is convicted of a motoring offence.
Drivers should also tell the DVLA about any change in health or mobility that could affect their driving. Our guide to adding named drivers on the Motability Scheme walks through each step.
Talk To Our Motability Scheme Specialists
Our Motability Scheme specialists can talk you through named drivers, eligibility and choosing a car that suits your needs.
Book an appointment at your nearest Vertu dealership, or explore the Motability Scheme at Vertu to get started.
- Motability