As we get older, maintaining independence and mobility becomes increasingly important. For many people over 65, having access to a suitable vehicle – whether it’s a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) or another type of mobility car – can make a significant difference in daily life. But what are the options for getting a mobility car if you’re over 65, and how do the rules around allowances and the Motability scheme apply?
There is often some confusion about getting a mobility car in later life, particularly in regards to funding and benefits. Today we’re taking a closer look at what you need to know.
Can you get a mobility car if you are over 65?
In short, yes; you can get a mobility car if you are over 65. There is no upper age limit on your right to get mobility car – although there are a couple things to note if you are hoping to lease one using the Motability scheme.
If you are buying a WAV or another type of mobility vehicle without using any kind of benefit provision, you can get one at any time. If you are going to be using the Motability scheme, there is no upper age limit, but you must be in receipt of one of the relevant allowances and have at least 12 months of benefits remaining when you apply. We will go into more detail about this shortly.
If you are going to be the driver of the mobility car, you will also need to follow the usual rules around driving in later life. You should renew your license when you turn 70, as well as every three years after that. However, as long as you are able to drive safely, then you can choose to stop driving your mobility car whenever you want to.
If your mobility car is going to be driven by someone else, then they should adhere to the usual rules around driving instead.
Motability eligibility over the age of 65
To be eligible for the Motability scheme, you must be in receipt of one of the following disability allowances, and have at least 12 months left on that allowance:
- Enhanced rate mobility part of PIP (Personal Independence Payment)
- Higher rate mobility part of DLA (Disability Living Allowance)
- War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
If you are in Scotland, Adult and Child Disability Payment are also eligible.
You can continue to receive these allowances once you have passed the age of 65, providing you still meet the eligibility requirements. For those who have been receiving one of the relevant benefits for a while when they reach state pension age, it is it is quite common to get an ‘indefinite award’ which has no end date. For example, if you are receiving PIP when you reach state pension age, it will usually be turned into an indefinite award.
This means that if you are already claiming disability benefits, you can continue to use the Motability scheme to get a mobility car with no upper age limit.
Applying for disability allowances for the first time over 65
It gets slightly more complicated if you are not already claiming disability related benefits. To apply for certain allowances for the very first time, there is an upper age limit of the state pension age – which is currently 66 – set by the Department for Work and Pensions.
If you are aged 66 or over when you first apply for an allowance such as PIP, you will be asked to register for Attendance Allowance instead, which cannot be used to join the Motability scheme.
The DWP say that Attendance Allowance is intended to help those who are severely disabled in older life and can be used to cover any need for care, supervision or support. While it cannot be used to join the Motability scheme, there is no constraint on what it can be used for – so it could be used to cover mobility aids if you so choose, including mobility vehicles, just not via Motability.
This rule does not apply to veterans, who may be using the War Pension Mobility Supplement or the Armed Forces Independent Payment; these can be applied for at any age.
What to do if you are over 65 and are not eligible for the Motability scheme
If you can no longer put in a first time application for PIP or DLA because of your age, you still have options for getting a mobility car such as a WAV:
- You could buy a used mobility vehicle so that you are still able to enjoy the independence and familiarity of owning one, in a cost-effective way
- You could try hiring a mobility car as and when you need one, so that you can enjoy flexibility without a long-term commitment
If we can help you with a wheelchair accessible vehicle for hire, you would like to explore buying a used WAV, or need help with getting one on the Motability scheme, get in touch. We have been serving customers across East Anglia and beyond for over 30 years and our friendly team are highly experienced in helping wheelchair users to find their perfect car.