Yahoo News DWP claimants could get 40 hours of free driving lessons - how to apply
Those claiming benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) could be eligible for 40 hours of free driving lessons. Learning to drive can be a costly endeavour, with the RAC estimating that the average lesson costs between £25 to £30 per hour.
Typically, learners require around 45 hours of lessons before they are ready to pass their test, which can amount to between £1,000 to £1,350. However, those claiming certain DWP benefits may be entitled to 40 hours of free tuition, significantly reducing the overall cost, and potentially eliminating it if learners pass within those hours, according to MirrorOnline.
Free lessons are available through Motability, a scheme designed to assist individuals with mobility issues or disabilities. To qualify, you must be a Motability customer or have ordered a vehicle through the scheme.
Motability leases cars and vehicles with wheelchair access to individuals in receipt of a qualifying disability benefit. To utilise their service, you need to be claiming one of the following benefits.
In addition to this, to be eligible for the 40 free hours of driving lessons, you must also be claiming a means-tested benefit. This includes:
Universal Credit
Income Support
Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)
Job Seekers Allowance (income-based)
Housing Benefit
Council Tax Benefit
Pension Guarantee Credit
Working Tax Credit
The Motability scheme invites applications from students under 25 whose parents receive a qualifying benefit. Those who think they are eligible should ring Motability on 0800 500 3186 for a Driving Lesson Grant application form.
The foundation will then assess your financial standing to establish if it can provide a grant. The evaluation of your application may take up to ten weeks.
Successful applicants will be granted driving lessons at the AA Driving School, an instructor will be assigned and thereafter will get in touch to fix your inaugural lesson. However, you would still have to bear the cost of both the theoretical and practical driving exams.
Lessons should be consistent and wrapped up within a year as per Motability's instructions. As per Compare the Market, the typical driving lesson costs £25 - £35 per hour.
JobCentres are another place potentially offering funding through the Flexible Support Fund. Guy Opperman MP, Minister for Jobcentre Plus, clarified in correspondence with Conservative MP Ben Bradley last year: "Service Leaders in Jobcentres can allocate funding for driving lessons through the Flexible Support Fund, where they feel this is an appropriate use of funds. Each request is considered on a case-by-case basis."
