Adults Living with SMA, Driving & Car Travel
Adults Living with SMA, Driving & Car Travel
The Blue Badge Scheme
If you haven’t already got one and you’re less mobile than you were, you may qualify for a ‘Blue Badge’ administered by Local Authorities. It entitles people with ‘severe mobility problems’ to parking concessions. These may apply to on-street parking and might include free use of parking meters and some pay-and-display bays. Some areas might also offer exemption from toll charges.
Read more about learning to drive for the first time in the Teenagers’ section.
RiDC (Research Institute for Disabled Consumers) – Phone: 0207 427 2460 – information for older drivers including some of the technology available in many models of cars
Driving Mobility – Phone 0800 559 3636 – centres across the UK offering practical and independent advice to disabled drivers. They will assess your ability to drive as well as provide you with advice about suitable vehicles and any adaptations that may be needed.
Motability – assessments if you get the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), or the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA). More information in the tab below.
RDAC (Regional Driving Assessment Centre) – centres throughout England offering driving assessments and advice on vehicle adaptations and high technology solutions.
Disability Action Northern Ireland – assessments and help set up appointments with Motability.
There are a lot of things to think about including whether to have a new or second-hand vehicle, what sort of vehicle will best suit your needs, and of course, your budget.
If you want to buy a vehicle privately and you’re thinking about a new car, provided it’s designed and sold specifically for disabled people you won’t have to pay Value Added Tax (VAT) – so make sure the price reflects this. Another option is to lease a WAV through the Motability Scheme.
RiDC (Research Institute for Disabled Consumers) – guide to purchasing a WAV:
Driving Mobility – information and advice about accessible vehicles for disabled people.
Equipment Exhibitions, Sports and Other Events – include those that are going to be showcasing accessible vehicles
This enables disabled people to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair, using their mobility allowance.
If you receive the enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) (previously the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)), you may be eligible to join the Motability Scheme. It includes:
- A new car, scooter or powered wheelchair every three years; five years for a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV)
- Insurance from Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance plc (RSA)
- Breakdown assistance
- Servicing, maintenance and repairs
- Adaptations, many at no extra cost
Deposits and down payments apply depending on your circumstances so it’s important that you read the information on their website carefully or phone them to talk about what might be possible for you.
When you apply – using their application from – you will need to explain why it’s so important that you drive – to be able to travel independently should be enough reason but add any other reasons about lack of accessible transport where you live, travelling to college / work etc.
So, if you’re eligible and you do decide to use Motability, the next steps are:
- Choosing a vehicle – there’s a lot to think about, including the cost of the vehicle, if it will be the right one for you and its fuel consumption as you will definitely have to cover this cost. Motability can provide information to help you with this.
- Searching for dealers – nearly 5,000 dealerships across the UK offer Motability. You would be able to talk to a Motability specialist at any of them and test drives can be arranged.
- Ordering a vehicle – which can be done online.
Motability lease you a vehicle for up to 5 years, so you would need to try and think ahead about what you may need to be drive the same vehicle for that length of time. Your OT is the best person to advise you. Motability also need to make sure that you would be happy and confident with the controls before they are installed.
Motability – Phone 0300 456 4566
Under the Equalities Act, insurers aren’t allowed to refuse disabled drivers insurance or charge extra because of their disability without justifying evidence. Premiums must be based on a reasonable assessment of risk. Individuals may have to pay more to cover any extra cost of repairing an adapted vehicle.
Mobility Centres and disabled drivers organisations have lists of specialist insurance companies.
A disabled adult who receives Disability Living Allowance (DLA) mobility component at the higher rate, or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) mobility component at the enhanced rate, can apply for free road tax.
If a vehicle is hired through a Motability Scheme they will arrange to tax the vehicle each year.
The Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RiDC) covers a lot of motoring related topics on its website.
Disabled Motoring UK – charity supporting disabled drivers to improve parking, refuelling and access provision.