60-second summary
Here’s a quick round-up of what to know if you drive an adapted vehicle:
Car insurance for disabled drivers could cover modifications such as wheelchair ramps and adapted pedals.
You’ll need to declare any modifications when getting a car insurance quote.
You can usually add a carer or family member to your policy as a named driver.
You must inform the DVLA about conditions that may affect your ability to drive safely.
The Motability Scheme allows you to lease a new car or wheelchair-accessible vehicle.
Blue Badge holders may be exempt from certain road tolls and charges.
What car insurance do I need as a disabled driver?
As a disabled car driver, you’ll need car insurance that covers any modifications made to the vehicle to help you drive. The policy should also cover any specialist equipment you might need to carry with you.
Everyone’s situation is different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all policy when it comes to disability car insurance.
This means that providing details of modifications when getting a quote through our website is really important.
Here are a few examples of modifications that might affect your car insurance:
Wheelchair ramps or lifts
Wheelchair storage
Adapted controls and pedals
Steering wheel aids
Swivel seats.
Car insurance for disabled drivers can provide the right level of cover you need to drive safely and legally. Standard car insurance won’t cover you for any specialist car adaptations or other requirements like modified courtesy cars.
Do disabled drivers pay more for car insurance?
Under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005, it’s illegal for insurance providers to charge disabled drivers more for car insurance.
If you’re disabled, the cost of your car cover should be based on the same factors that affect any other driver. These include your age, postcode, driving experience and claims history.
That said, if your car is modified, your premiums could be higher if the parts are more expensive to repair or replace.
What level of cover can disabled drivers get?
Just like standard car insurance, disabled car insurance offers three levels of cover:
Third-party – the legal minimum for driving on UK roads. Covers injuries to other people and damage to their property. It doesn’t cover damage to your own car.
Third-party, fire and theft – offers third-party damage as well as cover for your own car if it’s stolen, vandalised or damaged by fire.
Comprehensive car insurance – this includes all of the above, as well as damage to your own car, no matter who’s at fault. Although it’s the highest level of cover, comprehensive car insurance is often the cheapest option.
What does car insurance for a disability cover?
The level of cover you get will depend on the policy you choose and any optional extras you may want to add.
As well as cover for your car if it’s lost, damaged or stolen, a disabled driver policy may also cover:
Equipment transported in your car – your wheelchair and other disability aids, for example
Adaptations to your car, such as ramps and hoists
A mobility courtesy car while yours is being repaired, or a mobility allowance if a suitable car isn’t available
Named drivers such as a carer, to drive your car
Driving abroad – a minimum of third-party cover
Breakdown recovery– roadside assistance if your car breaks down
Motor legal protection – covers legal fees you may have to pay in the event of a claim
Personal accident – offers a payout if you or your passengers are seriously or fatally injured in a road accident.
Check your policy carefully to see what’s included. You may need to pay extra for add-ons such as breakdown recovery, legal protection and personal accident cover.
Just be aware that this could bump up the cost of your premium, so only add extras if you think you’ll need them.
Do I need to tell the DVLA if I have a disability or medical condition?
If you have a driving licence and develop what the DVLA defines as a notifiable medical condition or disability, you must let them know.
Notifiable conditions are anything that might affect your ability to drive safely.
Examples include:
Epilepsy
Strokes
Sleep apnoea
Glaucoma
Diabetes.
You should also notify the DVLA if your condition deteriorates.
What happens if I don’t tell the DVLA about my disability?
If you don’t tell the DVLA about a condition that may affect your ability to drive safely, you could be fined up to £1,000. And if you have an accident, you could be prosecuted.
What is the Motability Scheme?
The Motability Scheme allows you to exchange your government mobility allowance to lease a new car or wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV). Leases last for three or five years.
Do I need disabled car insurance if my car is in the Motability Scheme?
When you lease a car through the Motability Scheme, car insurance will be included, so you won’t need a separate policy.
Your Motability Scheme package should also include:
RAC breakdown cover
Servicing and MOT
Road tax (unless you decide to pay Vehicle Excise Duty yourself)
Cover for the cost of a home charging point if you have an electric vehicle.
What does Motability car insurance cover?
A Motability car insurance policy will usually cover:
Loss or damage to your car, including any standard in-car equipment
Adaptations and modifications agreed with the Motability Scheme
Replacement locks and keys if yours are stolen
A temporary replacement car if yours has been stolen or damaged
Personal accident cover of up to £5,000
Legal liabilities and ‘loss of use’ benefit
Windscreen repair or replacement
Option to add up to three named drivers.
What’s not covered by Motability car insurance?
Motability car insurance won’t cover:
Your excess – this is an amount you agree to pay before repairs on your car begin
Personal belongings
Interior damage, such as rips or stains to the upholstery
Non-standard equipment or modifications you’ve added as optional extras
Business use, unless it’s agreed with the insurance provider
Driving another vehicle, unless it’s been provided by the insurance provider
Someone else driving your car, unless they’re listed as a named driver on your policy.
Changes to the Motability Scheme
In the 2025 Autumn Budget, the government announced some changes to the Motability Scheme.
These include reducing some of the tax benefits currently available:
From July 2026, customers will no longer get VAT relief on top-up payments for higher-priced cars
Insurance on the scheme will be charged at the normal Insurance Premium Tax rate.
Other changes include:
Removing luxury cars from the scheme, such as BMW and Mercedes vehicles
No longer offering overseas breakdown cover
Lowering the mileage allowance.
The government says these changes will make Motability leases more similar to those available on the open market.
What is the Blue Badge scheme?
The Blue Badge is a disabled parking scheme that allows you to park in designated spaces closer to shops and other amenities. As of March 2024, there were 2.84 million Blue Badge holders in England.
As a Blue Badge holder, you don’t have to pay the Congestion Charge in London and may be exempt from certain toll roads and river crossings.
You can also use your Blue Badge in some EU countries, as well as Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Is car insurance for Blue Badge holders cheaper?
While a Blue Badge itself doesn’t automatically give you cheaper car insurance, you might find that some insurance providers will offer lower premiums.
This is because Blue Badge holders often have access to safer and more secure parking spaces, reducing the risk of damage or theft.
However, when looking for cheaper car insurance, you’ll also need to consider other factors that can affect the cost of your premium such as your age, driving history and where you live.
Do I have to pay vehicle tax if I’m disabled?
You may be exempt from paying road tax if you’re disabled, but this will depend on the disability benefit payments you receive.
Even if you’re still required to pay vehicle tax, you may be able to get a 50% reduction. But you can only use your exemption on one car at a time.
If you’re claiming road tax exemption for the first time, you’ll need to do this at the Post Office. You’ll also need to do this every time you change your car.
How can Compare the Market help with disabled car insurance?
We have a panel of insurance providers who’ll quote for disability vehicles with modifications.
This means you’ll be able to use us to help find the right policy for your needs.
FAQs
How much is car insurance for disabled drivers?
Car insurance for disabled drivers is much like any other insurance, in that how much you pay for your premium will depend on a number of factors.
These include where you live, how old you are and how long you’ve been driving for.
How your car is modified may also affect your insurance. If parts are expensive to source or repair, your premium might be higher than for a standard vehicle.
Do I need to tell my insurance provider about any modifications?
Yes, you’ll need to let your insurance provider know about any modifications, even minor ones.
This will ensure your modified car is properly covered, and you’ll get a sufficient payout to cover any repairs or replacements if you make a claim.
Will I get a modified courtesy car?
It depends on your policy and the level of cover you choose. If courtesy car cover is included in your policy, check if you can get a temporary replacement with the same modifications as your car.
Some providers also offer a mobility allowance that you can use to pay for alternative transport if a suitable vehicle isn’t available.
Can I nominate someone else to manage my disabled car policy for me?
Yes, if you’re not able to manage your car insurance policy yourself, most providers will let you choose someone else to do it on your behalf.
To ensure compliance with data security, you’ll need to make sure their identity can be verified with your provider though.
What if I’m disabled but don’t drive myself?
If you’re insuring a disability car but don’t drive it yourself, you’ll need to add a named driver or drivers to your policy. If you add a carer, family member or trusted friend with a few years behind the wheel and a clean driving history, it might help bring down the cost of your disability car insurance.
If you’re leasing a car with the Motability scheme, you can insure up to three people to drive the car.
Can I add young drivers to my policy?
It should be possible to add a young driver to your policy. However, doing this could increase your premium because inexperienced drivers under 25 are considered a higher risk by insurance providers.
If you’ve got a Motability car, you’re allowed to add one named driver under the age of 21 to your cover.
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Amy helps make sure you get the best value when choosing insurance. Thanks to more than four years’ experience at Compare the Market, she understands what people look for, working closely with insurance providers to offer you deals and services that are fair, easy to understand and right for your needs.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
As an award-winning journalist, author and broadcast commentator, Kate has been writing about personal finance for more than 20 years. She’s the former Money Editor for The Independent.
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