DWP claimants can get driving lessons for free - how to apply

Driving lessons can be expensive, but if you're claiming certain Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits, you could be eligible for 40 hours of free tuition. This help is provided as a grant via Motability, aimed at individuals with disabilities or mobility issues.

To qualify, you must already be a Motability customer or have a Motability vehicle on order. Motability leases cars and wheelchair-accessible vehicles to those receiving a qualifying disability benefit.

To apply for the grant, you must also have a provisional driving licence and a valid theory test pass certificate. Motability Scheme customers with a full driving licence can also apply if they need familiarisation for new driving controls in a grant-funded vehicle.

You must be in receipt of one of these disability allowances to join the Scheme, as reported by the Motability Foundation:

• Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP
• Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance
• Higher Rate Mobility Component of Child Disability Payment
• Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of the Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
• War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
• Armed Forces Independence Payment

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);
• Jobseeker's Allowance (income-based);
• Housing Benefit;
• Council Tax Benefit (Council Tax Support, Council Tax Reduction) or Rate Relief for customers living in Northern Ireland (not including the 25% discount under the Disabled Band Reduction Scheme or Single Occupancy Reduction);
• Pension Guarantee Credit;
• Working Tax Credit.

Students under 25 whose parents receive an eligible benefit can also apply for the Motability scheme.

If you think you're eligible, you'll need to ring Motability on 0800 500 3186 and request a Driving Lesson Grant application form. Motability will then assess your financial situation to determine if it can provide a grant.

It can take up to 10 weeks for your application to be reviewed. If you're accepted, you'll receive driving lessons through the AA Driving School, reports the Mirror.

The AA will source an instructor for you who will then get in touch to schedule your first lesson. However, bear in mind that you'll still need to cover the costs for both your theory and practical driving tests.

According to the guidelines from Motability, lessons should be taken on a regular basis and completed within a timeframe of 12 months. With average driving lessons costing between £25 to £35 per hour, as stated by Compare the Market, this can add up for learners.

However, there may be support available through JobCentres utilising the Flexible Support Fund. Guy Opperman MP, the DWP Minister for Employment, clarified in a written response last year to Conservative MP Ben Bradley that "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."