LEARNER drivers can receive as much as 40 hours of free lessons – but they have to meet two conditions.
That can make for quite a big saving especially as people are looking to tighten their belt with the ongoing cost of living crisis.
GettyLearner drivers could qualify to get as many as 40 hours of free lessons[/caption]
While the cost of driving lessons varies across the country, Carwow.co.uk discovered the average cost of a one-hour lesson was £27.
London, unsurprisingly, was the most expensive with an average cost of £30, while in the south-west it dropped to £24 on average.
However, support is available for qualifying people with disabilities under the Motability Scheme, which can offer up to 40 hours of free driving lessons.
Anyone who qualified for the scheme and got the full 40 hours, that would make a total saving of £1,080 – if they were paying the average rate for a driving lesson.
The average learner needs between 45 and 47 hours of lessons to get to be test ready, according to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
So people would get most of their lessons paid for.
As well, if you already have a driving licence but need to change to an adapted vehicle, the scheme can help provide familiarisation lessons.
The lessons focus on people learning how to operate an adapted vehicle under the supervision of a trained instructor.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE SCHEME
The Motability Driving Lessons Grant Programme gives funding for people who want to learn to drive and are:
1. In receipt of one of these disability allowances:
Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIPHigher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living AllowanceHigher Rate Mobility Component of Child Disability PaymentWar Pensioners’ Mobility SupplementArmed Forces Independence Payment
2. Receive a government-assessed means-tested benefit including:
Universal CreditIncome SupportEmployment and Support Allowance (income-related)Jobseeker’s Allowance (income-based)Housing BenefitCouncil Tax Benefit (Council Tax Support, Council Tax Reduction)Pension Guarantee CreditWorking Tax CreditChild Tax Credit
In addition, learners must have a current lease agreement on the Motability Scheme or a pending application for a vehicle with the scheme featuring a confirmed delivery date for the vehicle 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 help 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 towards your lessons.”
Here are the top 10 reasons people fail their driving test.
An astonishing 80 per cent of drivers confessed they would fail their test if they retook it today.
GettyLearners could save on average more than £1,000 if they qualify for the scheme[/caption] Read More