For those learning to drive in the UK, here’s some exciting news that could save you a bundle!
If you meet a couple of specific rules and have a provisional driving licence, you could bag yourself up to a whopping 40 hours of free driving lessons. That’s over £1000 in savings!
Now, we all know learning to drive can cost a pretty penny, right?
According to the experts at Carwow.co.uk, the average hourly rate for a lesson is around £27 which drops to £24 for those living in the South West. If you’re learning to drive in London, brace yourself for a higher price tag of £30 per hour.
Fortunately, there’s light at the end of the tunnel for learners who require financial assistance. The Motability Scheme, designed to support people with certain disabilities, offers an incredible opportunity to receive up to 40 hours of free driving lessons. This initiative has the potential to save learners a significant amount, estimated at £1080 based on the average lesson rate.
Partnering with the AA Driving School, the Motability Scheme ensures learners across the UK can access professional and experienced instructors.
Once the grant is approved, the AA Driving School takes the reins and connects learners with suitable instructors, who will then reach out to arrange their first lesson. This seamless coordination between the Motability Scheme and the AA Driving School ensures learners receive top-notch instruction tailored to their needs.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) highlights that the average learner typically requires between 45 and 47 hours of lessons to become test-ready. With the majority of lessons covered by the Motability Scheme, learners can make substantial progress without worrying about the financial burden.
Learner drivers – do I qualify for free driving lessons
The Motability Driving Lessons Grant Programme gives funding for people who want to learn to drive and are in receipt of one of these disability allowances:
- Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP
- Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance
- Higher Rate Mobility Component of Child Disability Payment
- War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
Or, who receive a government-assessed means-tested benefit including:
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (income-based)
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Benefit (Council Tax Support, Council Tax Reduction)
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
Furthermore, learners must meet the requirement of either having an existing lease agreement through the Motability Scheme or having a pending application for a vehicle within the scheme, with a confirmed delivery date set within the next four months.
The Motability website says: “All grant applications are means-tested to ensure Motability supports those most in need of a charitable grant and helps 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 for your lessons.”
