24 February 2024 , 07:00
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Driving lessons can be expensive, but you may be able to get 40 hours of tuition for free if you claim certain Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits.
The help is offered as a grant through Motability, to people with disabilities or mobility issues. To qualify, you have to already be a Motability customer, or have a Motability vehicle on order. Motability leases cars and wheelchair accessible vehicles to people in receipt of a qualifying disability benefit. In order to use their service, you need to be claiming one of the following benefits:
- Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
For the 40 free hours of driving lessons, you must also be claiming a means-tested benefit. This includes:
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)
- Job Seekers Allowance (income-based)
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Benefit
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- Working Tax Credit
Students under 25 whose parents receive an eligible benefit can also apply for the Motability scheme. If you believe you're eligible, you'll need to call Motability on 0800 500 3186 and ask for a Driving Lesson Grant application form. Motability will then check your financial situation to see if it is able to provide a grant. It can take ten weeks for your application to be reviewed.
If you're accepted, you'll be provided with driving lessons through the AA Driving School. The AA will find an instructor for you who will then contact you to arrange your first lesson. However, you should keep in mind that you'll still need to pay for both your theory and practical driving tests.
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Lessons should be taken regularly and completed within 12 months, according to Motability guidelines. The average driving lesson normally costs between £25 to £35 an hour, according to Compare the Market.
JobCentres might also be able to offer funding through the Flexible Support Fund. DWP Minister for Employment, Guy Opperman MP, explained in a written response to Conservative MP Ben Bradley last year: “Service Leaders in Jobcentres can allocate funding for driving lessons through the Flexible Support Fund, where they feel this is an appropriate use of funds. Each request is considered on a case-by-case basis.”