Learning to drive on Carer's Allowance

crispycornflake2018

Hey all!

I'm twenty-seven years old and full-time carer for my mom who suffers from Fibromyalgia and CFS/ME. In the next six months or so I am looking to learn to drive as she has gotten worse over the past two years that I have been looking after her - to the point where she is pretty much bed bound most days. She only drives a short distance and sometimes even that is too much for her.

My question is this: what financial help is there towards things like driving lessons, tests and car insurance? Unfortunately, my C.A only covers the bare essentials for me (such as rent, a mobile phone bill, toiletries and food shopping) at present.
We are currently waiting on a social worker and care assessment to see if we can get any Direct Payments, however, as you can imagine, they are taking their sweet time!

Many thanks in advance - all leads appreciated.

Owain_Moneysaver

No help for driving lessons or test fees.

If your mother gets specific higher rate mobility benefits (DLA or PIP) she may be able to exchange that for a leased car through the Motability scheme which includes insurance, servicing, maintenance, RAC breakdown, car tax etc in the payments.

missile

Your could drive on a provisional license with your mother is a passenger.

Do you do not have a friend or relative able to assist with lessons?

Volunteers who work for charitable organisations may be able to assist with driving lessons. You might like to contact them?

IamNotAllowedToUseMyName

missile wrote: »

Your could drive on a provisional license with your mother is a passenger.

I would be careful about that suggestion. If the OP's mum is not fit to drive then she is not fit to supervise. Getting some miles in after getting to a good level of experience possibly an option, but I would be very careful indeed considering the potential need to intervene with mobility issues.

bertiewhite

crispycornflake2018 wrote: »

Hey all!

......... mom ........... gotten

Do you live in the USA or the UK though? I think advice will be limited if it's the USA.

Alter_ego

bertiewhite wrote: »

Do you live in the USA or the UK though? I think advice will be limited if it's the USA.

I think UK
Refers to mobile phone not cell phone. Plus I don't think carer's allowance exists in US

SensibleSarah

bertiewhite wrote: »

Do you live in the USA or the UK though? I think advice will be limited if it's the USA.

Could just be midlands-based. Lots of people use mom rather than mum there.

missile

IanMSpencer wrote: »

I would be careful about that suggestion. If the OP's mum is not fit to drive then she is not fit to supervise. Getting some miles in after getting to a good level of experience possibly an option, but I would be very careful indeed considering the potential need to intervene with mobility issues.

OP will be able to judge her mothers ability to supervise OP driving.

suffers from Fibromyalgia and CFS/ME

would suggest her ability is restricted physical not mental capability.
https://www.gov.uk/driving-lessons-learning-to-drive/practising-with-family-or-friends

Mojisola

crispycornflake2018 wrote: »

my mom who suffers from Fibromyalgia and CFS/ME.

missile wrote: »

would suggest her ability is restricted physical not mental capability.

ME affects cognitive function as well as physical abilities.

I have to be very careful when going out to make sure that I am fit to drive - and will still be capable to drive home as well.

IamNotAllowedToUseMyName

missile wrote: »

OP will be able to judge her mothers ability to supervise OP driving.
would suggest her ability is restricted physical not mental capability.
https://www.gov.uk/driving-lessons-learning-to-drive/practising-with-family-or-friends

To be honest, I don't know whether the OP can judge whether the mother is fit to supervise or not as I don't know whether a learner driver understands what the requirements of supervision entails. However, consider the reasons why some with those issues might not be able to drive, and then consider whether someone should blithely suggest that mum can supervise.

http://www.fmauk.org/useful-information/222-what-about-driving-with-fm

My point is that some people seem to treat learner supervision as simply a requirement to have a stuffed dummy with the qualifying licence next to them, it is not. Supervising requires mental alertness (which CFS/ME most certainly does affect) and physical capability.

That being said, if mum has days when she is fit and alert and able to intervene if required, then perfectly reasonable to take advantage of that. I am just saying, do not treat supervision as a tick box exercise.

missile

AFIK, the OP and her mother are not mentally !!!!!!. As responsible adults they can determine whether it is safe for mum to supervise. If they are in any doubt they can ask their GP to advise.

“The medical standards of fitness to drive are available to all medical practitioners and if your doctor, in accordance with these standards, has advised you that you should not drive you may wish to surrender your licence, and reapply for its restoration at a later date.”

If mother is not fit to supervise, then should she be driving?

able to intervene if required

I hope you are not suggesting mother should be able to grab the wheel. :eek: