Motability: who can join and how it works
In short
- Motability lets you swap a mobility benefit for a leased car, scooter or powered wheelchair.
- For PIP, you need the enhanced rate of the mobility part, with at least 12 months left.
- You do not have to drive. The vehicle is leased, so it is not yours to keep.
What is Motability?
Do you get a benefit because it is hard to get around? You can use it to pay for a car, scooter or powered wheelchair through Motability. You lease it. That means it is not yours. If your benefit stops, you give it back. (Citizens Advice: Getting a Motability car)
Motability says the deal includes (Motability Scheme: PIP explained):
- insurance for 3 drivers
- full breakdown cover
- all servicing and repairs
Which benefits count?
Citizens Advice lists these (source):
- PIP mobility part, enhanced rate
- Adult Disability Payment mobility part, enhanced rate (Scotland)
- DLA mobility part, higher rate
- Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance mobility part, higher rate
- Child Disability Payment mobility part, higher rate (Scotland)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
- War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement
What does not count
- The standard rate of PIP mobility.
- The daily living part of PIP on its own. Only the mobility part matters.
Motability says you can no longer use the scheme if a PIP or DLA assessment goes against you, or you get the lower mobility rate. (Motability)
The 12-month rule
When you apply, your benefit must have at least 12 months left. Your letter shows the end date. (Citizens Advice)
Moving from DLA to PIP
- If DWP has written telling you to apply for PIP, you cannot apply for a new Motability vehicle. If you already have one, this does not affect you. (Citizens Advice)
- If you move from higher rate DLA to enhanced rate PIP, your lease just carries on. (Motability)
- Most adults are moving from DLA to PIP. You keep DLA if you are under 16, or born on or before 8 April 1948. Born after that? DWP will write to you. You do not need to do anything until then, unless things change for you. (GOV.UK: PIP)
If you do not drive
You can still get a car. Someone else can drive it. You can pick up to 2 people to drive for you. (Citizens Advice) The insurance covers 3 drivers. (Motability)
It is not only about walking
You do not need a physical disability to get PIP mobility. A mental health condition, like anxiety, can count if it makes getting around hard. It covers planning a route, following a route, moving around, and leaving home. (GOV.UK: PIP)
Got the standard rate and think it is wrong?
You can ask DWP to look again (mandatory reconsideration). Then you can go to a tribunal if you still disagree. (Motability) But be careful. Citizens Advice warns DWP may look at your whole claim again, and your award could go down. Get free advice first. Our guides:
Checklist before you contact Motability
- Find your benefit letter.
- Check it says enhanced rate PIP mobility, or another benefit on the list above.
- Check the end date. Is it at least 12 months away?
- On DLA? Check if DWP has written asking you to claim PIP.
- If you will not drive, choose who will.
- Go to the official Motability Scheme website.
Only use the official Motability website. This site has no link with Motability and earns nothing from it.
Information only. This page explains official guidance in plain English. It is not legal or medical advice. Rules can change. For advice about your own case, contact Citizens Advice or another free adviser.
Where this applies: England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different rules.
Written by Social Care Made Easy. Last checked: 25 October 2026.