Mobility driving...

azjh77

Hi all, wonder if you can help.

My Aunt (well Mum's best friend) is 49, but has severe mobility problems (knees, asthma etc) She gets DLA & has a blue badge, but relies on her husband and sons if she needs to go anywhere. She lives in the country and her family are not really the most helpful of people, and we think her being independantly mobile would give her a new lease on life.

She is now looking at applying for her first driving licence (her husband told her 30 years ago she would make a rubbish driver and she has never had the confidence) so I was wondering...

What entitles you to a 'mobility car'? She would benefit from one of those that is adapted so you don't need foot pedals. Would she need a special instructor to learn to drive an adapted car? Are there grants avalible for lessons for people with severly restricted mobility? (She came on holiday with us last week and we had to use the wheelchair as she can only walk so far)

Any comments would be gratfully recieved (though none about my spelling please - I know it sucks!)

Noozan

She can give up her high rate DLA mobility allowance in return for a motobility car. I believe that she can also apply for driving lessons thorugh motobility too - not sure about a special instructor though. Google motobility and have a look on their website.

Zara33

I think it's BSM who do all mobility driving lessons, she could certainly apply for these along with applying for high rate mobility.

Hapless_2

Driving lessons are usually only given to under 25s, but I think there is a scheme for a grant for older drivers.

Penny-Pincher!!

I am in a similar predicament but I passed my driving test a few years back. I am disabled but TBH, I have come to the conclusion that I am just not fit enough to drive ATM.

Even if I had a car adapted, I would never forgive myself if my delayed reactions caused an accident or worse death! I would ask questions like:
What are her reactions like with or without medication?
How often would she actually benefit from using a car?
Is it worth her loosing £40pw of her DLA, would it not be better to apply for a FREE Freedom pass and receive all public transport free?
There are many more questions, but I think if she can answer these questions OK, then she should be ok to drive.

HTH
PP
xx

Mrs_B_12

Here is the website for the Motability scheme http://www.motability.co.uk/ Your friend can request an information pack from there too.

Zara33

http://www.qefd.org/mob_assessment01.html

This might be of some help also.