Motability is a registered charity, helping disabled people to become more mobile through the provision of a car or powered wheelchair. The Motability Scheme provides everything a disabled person may need to help get them mobile, including finance, insurance and roadside recovery assistance for your car. At present, Motability provides vehicles to over 400,000 disabled people through Contract Hire and Hire Purchase Schemes.

To qualify for the Scheme, you need to receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component (HRMC) of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA), or the War Pensions Mobility Supplement (WPMS). You can get information about these benefits from your local Department of Work and Pensions and you'll find their details in Yellow Pages under DWP or visit www.dwp.gov.uk.

If you are eligible, you can make a one-off registration payment of £10, which will entitle you to unlimited free travel in the charging zone.

You should expect to receive the allowance for the full length of the agreement you choose. Motability welcome applications as long as you have at least 12 months award length remaining when you apply.

The DWP can only award the higher rate to applicants between the age of 16 and 65 years, and to legal appointees of the under 16s. If you are already in receipt of the allowance there are no age restrictions whatsoever when applying to Motability for a car. Drivers named on the Certificate of Motor Insurance are the only ones allowed to drive the car. You can select up to two drivers, one of whom may be yourself, but only one permitted driver can be under the age of 21, and drivers under the age of 25 are restricted to cars up to the Association of British Insurers Car group 8.

The Motability Wheelchair and Scooter Scheme is operated by route2mobility under contract to Motability. The Scheme enables you to buy a powered wheelchair or scooter using the Higher Rate Mobility Component of your Disability Living Allowance (HRMC of DLA) or the War Pensioners Mobility Supplement (WPMS). Powered wheelchairs and scooters are available through a network of Accredited Wheelchair Suppliers and can be purchased using a one, two or three-year hire purchase agreement. There is a Price Guide for all products available on the Powered Wheelchairs and Scooters Scheme. The Price Guide gives the key features of each product and is regularly updated.

Only named drivers on motability's insurance policy may drive the car. Only one permitted driver can be under the age of 21, and drivers under the age of 25 are restricted to cars up to the Association of British Insurers Car group 8. Also, drivers under 25 and inexperienced drivers (on a provisional licence or with less than 1 year since passing the test) would pay a higher insurance excess. Did you know motability will help with the cost of driving lessons, and will cover the full cost of "Pass plus"?