Adding Named Drivers on the Motability Scheme - Everything You Need to Know
In this handy guide, we run through all the information you need about adding or updating named drivers as a Motability customer.
- As a Motability Scheme customer, your insurance is provided through Direct Line Motability (DLM).
- Your insurance allows you to have up to three named drivers on your vehicle.
- Any named drivers will need to be approved against DLM’s criteria, and there are certain rules about who can drive your vehicle.
- You can add, remove, or update any named drivers in your Motability Scheme online account.
Looking to update your named drivers on your Motability lease? Whether you are new to the Scheme, or just need a reminder, we’ll cover all you need to know about named drivers in this article.
Read on to find out who can drive your car, what the requirements are, and how to change named drivers.
What are named drivers on a Motability lease?
Named drivers are people authorised to drive your Motability car if you are unable to do so yourself.
These can be a friend, family member, or carer, and you can have up to three named drivers at a time. If you need to make any changes to your named drivers, you can do this whenever you like, using your Motability Scheme online account.
Who can be added as a named driver?
Normally, if a driver has fully comprehensive insurance this allows them to drive your car if you permit them. With Motability cars, however, this is not the case.
Since your insurance is provided by Direct Line Motability (DLM), any named drivers will need to be approved by DLM. Once authorised, they will appear as a ‘permitted driver’ on your Certificate of Motor Insurance to show they are allowed to drive your car.
There are also some specific rules about who exactly can drive your car, including:
- Drivers who are under 25 are only allowed to drive a petrol, diesel, or hybrid car with an ABI insurance group of 16 or under. Plus, a maximum power output of 120bhp or less.
- For electric cars, drivers under 25 can drive such vehicles provided they produce 140bhp or less and sit within an ABI insurance group of 21 or below.
- Only one driver under the age of 21 years old can be added to your named drivers list. This can either be the disabled person themselves or another driver living with them
- Provisional license holders can learn to drive in Motability vehicles so long as they meet a few conditions.
- All drivers must have a legally valid driving licence. Any non-UK licences will require extra checks.
- Drivers with any previous convictions within the last five years cannot be added as a named driver to your vehicle.
Motability points out that the car should primarily benefit the disabled person, meaning it should only be used for this purpose.
To ensure this, Motability may fit a location tracker to your vehicle if none of your drivers live at your address. This is to make sure you are benefitting from its use. In this case, you’ll be contacted directly by a Motability specialist.
For more information on how your car can and cannot be used, head to the Motability website.
What are open insurance policies for adding named drivers?
Open insurance policies come in handy if you rely on multiple caregivers. These allow different caregivers to use the same vehicle when assisting you. It’s open to those who live in a care home, nursing home, school, or those who require 24-hour assistance.
If you have a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) and require more than one person to drive it, you can also look into an open insurance policy.
Making changes to named drivers
If you need to make any changes to your named driver list, you can do this at any time. You can do this within your Motability Scheme online account.
To make any changes simply:
1. Log in to your account.
2. Head to the ‘Insurance’ section which will take you to the DLM insurance portal.
3. Add, remove, or make any changes as needed.
If you’re not confident using technology, not to worry. Motability has created several online video tutorials to help you out.
Adding temporary drivers to a Motability lease
If you require a temporary driver for some reason, you can add them as such on your lease. This will come in handy if you go on holiday or have relatives come to visit.
However, if you already have three named drivers on your account, you’ll need to swap one out to do so. Temporary drivers can be added to your lease for up to 30 days at a time. If you find you rely on this driver more frequently for assistance, they will need to be included as a permanent named driver.
Adding temporary named drivers can be done in the same place in your Motability Scheme online account.
Here for all your Motability needs
At Vertu Motors, we take pride in assisting with all of your needs as one of our many Motability customers. Our award-winning service has been nationally recognised for its outstanding customer experience. Bringing worry-free motoring to those who need it.
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