Rural Disabled Drivers Warned They Would Be Hit Hardest by Motability Changes

Proposed changes to the Motability scheme have alarmed disabled drivers in rural Scotland, who say reduced mileage allowances and higher excess charges could threaten their independence, employment and access to healthcare.

What’s Changing

From 1 July in parts of the UK, Motability plans to cut the standard annual mileage allowance in its leases from 20,000 miles to 10,000 miles and to charge 25p for each mile driven beyond that limit. The package still includes insurance, servicing, maintenance and road tax. Motability says the measures are needed to manage rising costs after tax changes announced in the UK autumn budget, which it estimates will add around £300 million a year to scheme costs by the end of the decade.

Motability mileage allowances will be cut to 10,000 miles a year from 1 July [Getty Images]

Voices From Rural Scotland

Users and campaigners warn the new rules do not reflect the realities of life in remote areas. Graeme Stuart, a wheelchair user from Balloch who works at Scotland’s national spinal injuries unit, relies on his adapted Motability vehicle for work, medical appointments and sport. His current three-year lease allows up to 60,000 miles; he estimates excess charges could reach roughly £7,500 over three years under the proposed 10,000-mile annual cap.

"If it stays at 10,000 miles, then there's no decision at all. It would be daft for me to continue with Motability," Stuart said. "This is my lifeline."

On the Isle of Skye, Dr Caroline Gould — a powered wheelchair user who travels frequently to Inverness and Glasgow for hospital appointments and makes long trips to visit family — said accessible public transport is often unavailable and the changes would leave her with no practical alternative.

Maureen Morrison of Spinal Injuries Scotland said people could be left isolated [BBC]

Charities and Concerns

Disability organisations, including Spinal Injuries Scotland, warned that higher mileage charges could increase isolation and create new barriers to employment and healthcare for people in areas with limited transport options. Maureen Morrison, chief executive of Spinal Injuries Scotland, questioned Motability’s statistic that roughly 73% of customers drive fewer than 10,000 miles a year: "What about the rest?" she asked.

Motability’s Position and Next Steps

Motability says the proposed changes are intended to limit potential lease cost rises — from around £1,100 to about £400 over a typical three-year term on average — by offsetting increased tax-related costs. The organisation also confirmed it will introduce a limited exceptions process for customers with genuine need for higher mileage and noted other recent adjustments, such as withdrawing some premium marques and dropping compulsory tracking devices following user criticism.

Scottish Government Talks and Uncertainty

Although the changes were due to apply across the UK from July, talks between the Scottish Government and Motability have delayed implementation in Scotland while ministers work to reduce uncertainty and seek a solution. Scotland's Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said officials are engaging with Motability to ensure disabled people continue to receive appropriate support.

What to watch next: whether Scotland secures wider exceptions or alternate arrangements for rural users, the detail and scope of Motability’s exceptions process, and any further adjustments to lease costs once tax impacts are finalised.