WAV stands for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle. This means you can travel in the vehicle while seat in your wheelchair

Your drivers

You can add up to three drivers to your Motability Scheme vehicle. These can be friends, family members or carers.

All drivers must follow our Scheme rules.

How to add or change a driver

When you're applying

  • Ordering at a dealership? Tell your dealer who should be insured
  • Applying online? You can add your drivers on the application form in your online account

During your lease

  • You can manage your drivers at any time in your online account

If your new driver passes the checks, they’ll be insured straight away.

Or you can call our insurance provider on 0300 037 3737. Only you, your appointee or nominee can request a change. The new driver must be with you when you call.


Who can and can’t drive your car

These drivers are allowed:

These drivers are not allowed:

  • Anyone who isn’t named on your insurance. (Even if they have their own fully comprehensive insurance)

Check below for further requirements and restrictions:

Drive Smart for drivers under 30

If any of your drivers are under 30, you'll need to install a Drive Smart device in the vehicle. This works with a phone app to track safe driving and reward good habits.

All drivers must:

  • Download the Drive Smart app
  • Connect it to the device in the vehicle

Read more about drive smart

Vehicle restrictions for drivers under 25

If a driver is under 25, they can only drive certain vehicles:

  • Petrol, diesel or hybrid: ABI Group 16 or lower, and 120 BHP or less
  • Electric: ABI Group 21 or lower, and 140 BHP or less
  • Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles: no BHP limit

Only one driver under 21 is allowed, and they must live at the same address as the disabled person.

Provisional licence holders must be accompanied by a full UK licence holder.

Learn about provisional licences

If your drivers don’t live with you

If none of your drivers live at the same address as the disabled person, or they live in a care home with several drivers, we may fit a location tracker. We’ll talk to you about this first.

If the disabled person has multiple carers

You might need an open insurance policy if several carers regularly drive the car.

You may be eligible if:

  • The customer lives in or is eligible to live in a care or nursing home, or residential school
  • The customer needs 24-hour care
  • The customer uses a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle and needs multiple drivers

To be insured on an open policy, drivers must:

  • Hold a full UK or EU licence
  • Have no at-fault accidents in the last 3 years
  • Have no motoring convictions in the last 5 years

To apply, call 0300 037 3737.

Driving licence restriction codes

If a driver’s licence includes restriction codes, your dealer must make sure the right adaptations are fitted before you collect the vehicle.
If these restrictions no longer apply, call the DVLA on 0300 790 6801 to update your licence.

Motoring convictions and endorsements

You must let us know if:

  • A driver has existing penalty points
  • A driver receives new points during your lease. Call our insurance provider on 0300 037 3737

Drivers are not allowed to drive the vehicle if:

  • They’ve been disqualified in the last 5 years
  • Their insurance has been cancelled or declared void due to fraud or misrepresentation

Not telling us about penalty points or disqualifications could break your lease agreement and affect your cover.

Renewing or updating a licence

Photocard licences must be renewed:

  • Every 10 years
  • Every 3 years if you’re over 70

You cannot drive your Scheme vehicle if your licence expires. The DVLA should send you a reminder before this happens.

Renew through:

Once renewed, call 0300 037 3737 to update your insurance details.

Emergency drivers

You can add an emergency driver for up to five days, up to four times a year. They must use the vehicle to support you and follow Scheme rules.

If you already have three named drivers, you’ll need to remove one first.

To add an emergency driver call 0300 037 3737

If your driver can no longer drive

You can:

Update your drivers in your online account

Or call Direct Line Motability on 0300 037 3737

You can add an emergency driver for up to five days, up to four times a year. They must use the vehicle to support you and follow the Scheme rules.

If you already have three named drivers, you’ll need to remove one first.

If no one else can drive the car, we may agree to end your lease early. You might need to pay an admin fee of up to £250, but we’ll refund part of your

Advance Payment if you’ve made one.

To talk about ending your lease, call 0300 456 4566.

Keep your driver information up to date

Please let us know straight away if:

  • A driver moves home. They must also update the DVLA
  • A driver is convicted of a motoring offence.  Call 0300 037 3737
  • A driver has a change in health or mobility. Contact the DVLA. (If the DVLA and their GP confirm they can still drive, you don’t need to call us)