Can I Get Financial Help with Driving Lessons?
Funding Driving Lessons: A Recap
Type of FundingEligibility for FundingPersonal Independence Payment (PIP): Receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) might make you eligible for a grant towards lessons. You can find out more about PIP through the Turn2us website.
- Motability: Some people who receive PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) can apply for a grant of up to 40 hours of driving lessons through the charity Motability.
- Family Fund: Family Fund offers a Driving Ambitions grant for young people with a disability or long-term illness.
- Turn2Us: If you're a carer and unable to afford driving lessons, you may be able to apply for a grant to help. Find out what support is available through Turn2Us.
- Carers Trust: Carers Trust Network, including Carers Centres and Crossroads schemes, may be able to help with grants if you are a carer.
- Care Leavers: If you've been in care, you may be able to claim funding for at least part of learning to drive via your local authority or a charity such as The Capstone Care Leavers' Trust.
Learning to drive is often a significant investment. While many need to save up to cover the costs, some individuals may qualify for financial assistance. Charities and councils offer grants to specific groups, usually targeting people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, carers, or care leavers.
These grants are typically means-tested (dependent on a low household income) and may cover anything from a provisional licence to a full set of 40 lessons. If you don’t qualify for assistance, there are ways to make lessons more affordable. Below, you’ll find information on funding eligibility and other tips to reduce costs.
Funding for Driving Lessons if You're Disabled or Have a Chronic Illness
If you have a disability or long-term illness, you may be eligible for a grant to help pay for driving lessons, enabling greater freedom and independence.
What counts as a long-term illness?
For funding purposes, a long-term illness is defined as one lasting, or expected to last, at least 12 months.
Can I get driving lessons on PIP?
Receiving PIP doesn’t automatically entitle you to help with driving lessons, but it might make you eligible for grants. While PIP might not directly cover lessons, it can help with transport costs, enabling you to save up for lessons.
Eligibility:
- Your illness or disability impacts your ability to manage day-to-day tasks or mobility.
Check the Turn2Us website for guidance on claiming PIP. Their resources can help you understand the application process and improve your chances of approval.
How to apply: Call the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to begin your PIP claim.
Can I Get Financial Help Through Motability?
If you receive PIP or DLA, you may be eligible for a grant of up to 40 hours of driving lessons through the Motability Driving Lessons Grant Programme. This could save you up to £1,040 based on average lesson prices.
Eligibility Requirements:
- You already benefit from the Motability scheme or will receive a vehicle within four months.
- You receive a means-tested benefit (e.g., Universal Credit).
- You have a provisional licence.
- You are committed to booking and passing your theory test and practical test within a year.
How to apply: Visit the Motability website and follow the instructions for applying to their Driving Lessons Grant Programme.
Does Family Fund Help With Driving Lessons?
Family Fund offers a Driving Ambitions grant for young people with a disability or long-term illness. The grant may be used towards a provisional licence, theory and practical tests, saving you up to £119. However, they only provide funding for one taster driving lesson.
Eligibility Requirements:
- You must be 16 or 17 years old.
- You must not have started driving lessons yet.
How to apply: Applications can be completed online, via a downloadable form, or by requesting a paper form through their website.
Funding for driving lessons if you’re a carer
Many carers could benefit greatly from being able to drive, but not everyone can afford driving lessons. There are various grants available that may help with funding, but options differ significantly based on factors such as where you live, your work history, and your education background.
Am I Eligible?
Each grant has its own eligibility criteria, but most will typically require:
- Your financial situation (grants are usually means-tested).
- Evidence that driving would significantly benefit the person you care for, e.g., enabling you to take them to medical appointments.
How to Apply: Check what support is available for carers in your area and based on your background through the Turn2Us website. Instead of searching for "driving lessons," use different search criteria to create a more comprehensive list of potential grants. Even if a fund doesn’t specifically mention help with driving lessons, contact them directly to discuss your options. Be sure to review the guidance provided on the website before beginning your search.
What Support Can the Carers Trust Offer?
The Carers Trust Network, which includes organisations such as Carers' Centres and Crossroads schemes, can provide valuable support to carers. They may offer grants for learning to drive and can direct you to other relevant services.
Eligibility: You must be a carer for someone with a disability or chronic illness.
How to Apply: Use the Carers Trust website to find your nearest Network Partner. If no local partner operates in your area, additional links are available on the site to help you identify other sources of assistance.
Financial Help Through a Carers’ Assessment (via Social Services)
If you care for someone with a disability or chronic illness, you are entitled to a carers' assessment conducted by your local social services. This assessment evaluates how your caring role affects your life and may include financial or other forms of support, such as help with driving lessons.
Eligibility:
- You must be a carer.
- You need to demonstrate that driving is essential to your caring role (though support may still be available if this cannot be shown).
How to Apply: Visit your local authority’s website and search for "carers’ assessment." Look up the council covering the area where the person you care for lives. Preparing for the assessment by reviewing available resources can improve your chances of securing support.
Financial help though a Carers' Assessment (via Social Services)
If you’re caring for someone with a disability or chronic illness, you are entitled to a carers' assessment through your local social services. This assessment evaluates how caring impacts your life and may offer financial or other support.
Am I Eligible?
- You’re a carer.
- You can show that driving is critical to your caring role (though support may still be available if you can’t demonstrate this).
How to Apply: Identify the local authority for the area where the person you care for lives. Search for "carers’ assessment" on the council’s website. For guidance on the process and preparation tips, check out available resources online.
Do Family Fund Still Offer Financial Help for Driving Lessons?
Unfortunately, Family Fund no longer provides support towards the cost of driving lessons for carers.
Care Leavers
If you’ve spent time in care, you may still be able to access funding for driving lessons through your local authority or a charity.
Will the Council Help with Driving Lessons for Care Leavers?
When leaving care, some councils offer support for driving lessons. This varies based on location—some may cover lessons, while others may help with the cost of a provisional licence.
Eligibility:
- Some local authorities require you to be in work, education, or training for the last three months (or have a disability or illness preventing this).
- You must meet any additional criteria set by your council.
How to Apply: Google “your council name (e.g., Leeds council) care leavers driving lessons” and follow the instructions provided on their website.
The Capstone Care Leavers’ Trust
This trust provides assistance to care leavers, including funding for driving lessons under certain conditions.
Eligibility:
- Aged 17–25.
- Have been in care at any point in England or Wales.
- Hold a provisional licence.
- Passed your theory test.
- Reside in a rural area with poor public transport or require driving for a job or training already started.
- Hold UK nationality or 'settled status'.
How to Apply: Visit the Capstone Care Leavers’ Trust website for updates on application openings.
What If I Don’t Qualify for Help with Driving Lessons?
If grants don’t cover the cost of lessons, you may still find ways to save money and make lessons more affordable:
- Have enough lessons. Avoid rushing to take your test—it could result in failing and paying more overall.
- Block-book a course. Booking a driving course through Leo Driving School is usually cheaper than paying for lessons individually. Ensure the school is reputable, and avoid bank transfers to secure refunds if needed.
- Commit to learning at a steady pace. Regular lessons can help you progress faster.
Financing Your Driving Course with Leo Driving School
Leo Driving School understands how challenging it can be to pay for lessons upfront. That’s why they’ve partnered with Payl8r, enabling you to spread the cost of your driving course over monthly instalments.
To be eligible, Payl8r will perform a credit check. While interest is charged, you can avoid this by paying the balance within 30 days. This option might not suit everyone but can be a practical way to afford lessons when needed.
FAQs
Can I Get Help Towards Refresher Lessons if I Have a Motability Car?
If you already have a full driving licence but need to familiarise yourself with a Motability car’s adaptations, you may qualify for funded “familiarisation lessons.” The scheme generally covers around 5 hours of lessons, with more available if required.
Can I Get Free Driving Lessons if I’m Unemployed?
Some councils and charities occasionally offer schemes providing free driving lessons to unemployed or low-income individuals. Check online or speak to Citizens Advice for the latest information.
What Driving Deals and Discounts Should I Look Out For?
Look at Leo Driving School's social media pages for active promotions and discounts. Be cautious of companies offering "guaranteed passes," as no driving school can truly promise this.
Can I Get Free Driving Lessons in the UK?
If you claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP), are a carer, or a care leaver, you may qualify for free or subsidised driving lessons. Motability offers grants for up to 40 hours of lessons if you lease a car through their scheme and are on a means-tested benefit.
Can Universal Credit Pay for Driving Lessons?
Receiving Universal Credit doesn’t automatically qualify you for free lessons. However, if you receive the enhanced mobility component of PIP and lease a car through Motability, you might be eligible for a grant covering up to 40 hours of lessons.