Accessible vehicles and equipment: scheme rules

Minimum requirements for accreditation categories

Accredited providers must meet the following minimum service requirements for each accreditation category they apply for. The accreditation categories are:

• cars
• wheelchair accessible vehicles
• scooters and powered wheelchairs
• electric bikes

Accredited providers may also provide equipment for transporting scooters, powered wheelchairs and electric bikes, such as:

• mobility lifts
• car hoists
• trailers

Cars

Types of cars

Accredited providers must provide a wide range of make, models and colours of vehicles including:

• automatic transmission
• driving adaptations
• zero and low-emission vehicles
• vehicles that meet the needs of disabled people

Affordability

Accredited providers must provide a range of manual and automatic vehicles with no advance payment.

Clients can choose to pay an advanced payment towards the cost of their chosen vehicle. This will give them access to a broader range of vehicles. If the client loses their qualifying benefit or ends the lease early, the accredited provider will return the advance payment to the client on a pro rata basis.

Accredited providers must offer complete cost transparency to clients so they can make informed choices about the best deal for them.

Leasing arrangements

The minimum leasing arrangements for accredited providers are:

• leases of 3 years or more
• inclusive road tax
• minimum 20,000 mileage allowance per year
• lease arrangements and support within an agreed geographical area
• no credit checks required for clients to join the scheme

Changes of circumstances

Accredited providers will need to support changes of circumstances like:

• changes to qualifying benefit or hospitalisation
• a change to insured drivers or a change in carer arrangements
• allowing a client to change vehicle or end a lease early if their disability changes.

There should be no penalty if the client decides to end their lease early as stated in the lease agreement.

Insurance arrangements

Accredited providers will need to arrange full comprehensive insurance for up to 3 drivers.

They will support clients by providing access to insurance due to changes of circumstances. This will include coordinating and updating client insurance agreements.

Maintenance and dealership arrangements

Accredited providers will need to arrange maintenance, servicing and repairs and this should be accessible within an agreed geographical area.

They will support clients with scheduled service, maintenance and repair as included in the lease.

They will pay for or provide warranty for all non-cosmetic damage and mechanical repairs in the lease, including:

• windscreen repairs or and replacement
• repair and replacement of tyres (such as puncture repairs, wheel balance, replacement of stolen or vandalised tyres)

When a client's vehicle is off the road, a suitable alternative vehicle that meets the needs of the client should be provided where possible.

They will also need to make arrangements with dealerships to ensure vehicles can be viewed before a final choice is made.

Breakdown and recovery

Accredited providers will need to arrange a breakdown and recovery service with a nationally recognised provider with the following minimum requirements:

• 24-hour breakdown recovery, 365 days a year
• alternative transport if a client's vehicle is off the road, for example a rental car or replacement vehicle
• transport for up to eight people to a single location
• overnight accommodation or travel costs up to the value of £100 per person or £300 per party - whichever is the lesser amount
• a breakdown provider that complies with the Equality Act 2010 and provides adequate assistance to disabled drivers

Customer service and support

The minimum requirements for customer service and support are:

• clients taking delivery of a new vehicle on the same day as handing back their old vehicle - if the new vehicle is not available, the client will be able to extend their lease until it becomes available
• for non-adapted vehicles, average of 2 calendar days from incident to replacement for thefts and write-offs
• for adapted vehicles, replacement as soon as is reasonably practicable, having regard to the complexity of the adaptation, the availability of suitable vehicles and a clear action plan communicated to the client to ensure a suitable alternative transport solution can be identified whilst awaiting a repair

Wheelchair accessible vehicles

Types of wheelchair accessible vehicles

Accredited providers must provide a wide range of wheelchair accessible vehicles including:

• automatic transmission
• driving adaptations
• zero or low emission vehicles
• heavily adapted vehicles enabling wheelchair users to drive

Affordability

Accredited providers must provide a range of manual and automatic vehicles with no advance payment.

Clients can choose to pay an advanced payment towards the cost of their chosen vehicle. This will give them access to a broader range of vehicles. If the client loses their qualifying benefit or ends the lease early, the accredited provider will return the advance payment to the client on a pro rata basis.

Accredited providers must offer complete cost transparency to clients so they can make informed choices.

Leasing arrangements

The minimum requirements for accredited provider leasing arrangements are:

• leases of 5 years or more
• inclusive road tax
• minimum 20,000 mileage allowance per year
• clients are able to change vehicle if their disability changes
• lease arrangements and support within an agreed geographical area
• no credit checks required for clients to join the scheme

Changes of circumstances

Accredited providers will need to support changes of circumstances like:

• changes to qualifying benefit or hospitalisation
• changes to insured drivers or a change carer arrangements
• allowing a client to change vehicle or end a lease early if their disability changes

There should be no penalty if the client decides to end their lease early as stated in the lease agreement.

Insurance arrangements

Accredited providers will need to arrange insurance for full comprehensive insurance.

They will support clients by providing access to insurance due to changes of circumstances. This will include coordinating and updating client insurance agreements.

Maintenance and dealership arrangements

Accredited providers will need to arrange maintenance, servicing and repairs and this should be accessible within an agreed geographical area.

They will support clients with scheduled service, maintenance and repair as included in the lease.

They will pay for or provide warranty for all non-cosmetic damage and mechanical repairs in the lease, including:

• windscreen repairs or and replacement
• repair and replacement of tyres (such as puncture repairs, wheel balance, replacement of stolen or vandalised tyres)

They will also need to make arrangements with dealerships to ensure vehicles can be viewed before a final choice is made.

Breakdown and recovery

Accredited providers will need to arrange breakdown and recovery service with a nationally recognised provider with the following minimum requirements:

• 24-hour breakdown recovery, 365 days a year
• alternative transport if their vehicle is off the road, for example a rental or replacement wheelchair accessible vehicle
• transport for up to 8 people to a single location
• overnight accommodation or travel costs up to the value of £100 per person or £300 per party - whichever is the lesser amount
• a breakdown provider that complies with the Equality Act 2010 and provides adequate assistance to disabled drivers

Customer service and support

The minimum requirements for customer service and support are:

• clients taking delivery of a new wheelchair accessible vehicle on the same day as handing back their old one
• a named customer service provider will take responsibility for ensuring the client's replacement vehicle is provided in a timely fashion

Scooters and powered wheelchairs

Types of scooters, powered wheelchairs and equipment

Accredited providers must provide a wide range of scooters and powered wheelchairs.

They must offer a range of sizes to meet disabled people's needs and preferences.

Affordability

Accredited providers must provide a wide range of scooters and powered wheelchairs with no advance payment.

Clients can choose to pay an advanced payment towards the cost of their chosen vehicle. This will give them access to a broader range of scooters and wheelchairs. If the client loses their qualifying benefit or ends the lease early, the accredited provider will return the advance payment to the client on a pro rata basis.

Accredited providers must offer complete cost transparency to clients so they can make informed choices about the best deal for them.

Leasing arrangements

The minimum requirements for leasing arrangements are:

• leases of 3 years or more
• clients are able to change scooter, powered wheelchair or equipment or end the lease early if their disability changes
• lease arrangements and support available and accessible in Scotland
• no credit checks required for client to join the scheme
• providing new clients with a weather-proof storage cover if required

Changes of circumstances

Accredited providers will need to provide support for changes of circumstances such as:

• changes to qualifying benefit or hospitalisation
• changes to insured drivers or changes in carer arrangements
• allowing a client to change scooter or powered wheelchair or end a lease early if their disability changes

There should be no penalty if the client decides to end their lease early as stated in the lease agreement.

Insurance arrangements

Accredited providers will need to arrange insurance for theft and damage.

They will support clients by providing access to insurance due to changes of circumstances. This will include coordinating and updating client insurance agreements.

Maintenance and dealership arrangements

Accredited providers will need to arrange maintenance, servicing and repairs and this should be accessible within an agreed geographical area. They will pay for or provide warranty for all non-cosmetic damage and mechanical repairs, including:

• repairs or and replacement to be included in the lease
• repair and replacement of tyres to be included in the lease (puncture repairs, wheel balance, replacement of stolen or vandalised tyres)
• arrangements for scooter and powered and wheelchair batteries to be included in the lease

They will also need to make arrangements with dealerships to ensure vehicles can be viewed before a final choice is made. Home viewings should be made available upon request of the client.

Breakdown and recovery

Accredited providers will need to arrange a breakdown and recovery service with a nationally recognised provider with the following minimum requirements:

• 24-hour breakdown recovery, 365 days a year

• alternative transport if their scooter or powered wheelchair is off the road, for example a rental or replacement scooter or powered wheelchair
• transport for up to 8 people to a single location
• overnight accommodation or travel costs up to the value of £100 per person or £300 per party - whichever is the lesser amount
• breakdown provider will comply with the Equality Act 2010 and provide adequate assistance to disabled drivers

They will support clients by providing access to insurance due to changes of circumstances.

This will include coordinating and updating client insurance agreements.

Customer service and support

The minimum requirements for customer service and support are:

• clients taking delivery of a new scooter or powered wheelchair on the same day as handing back their old one
• average of 2 calendar days from incident to replacement for thefts and write-offs

Electric bikes

Types of electric bike

Accredited providers may provide a wide range of electric bikes. They must offer a range of sizes to meet disabled people's needs and preferences, such as:

• adapted electric bikes, such as:
  • hand pedal bikes
  • lumbar support bikes
  • biked with harnessing
  • custom riding positions
• low entry electric bikes
• electric trikes
• electric step-through bikes
• electric cargo bikes
• multiple levels of electric assistance and power
• variety of battery sizes for wider range

These may not be subject to VAT relief. This is for accredited providers to determine.

Affordability

Accredited providers must provide a wide range of electric bikes with no advance payment.

Clients can choose to pay an advanced payment towards the cost of their chosen electric bike. This will give them access to a broader range of electric bikes. If the client loses their qualifying benefit or ends the lease early, the accredited provider will return the advance payment to the client on a pro rata basis.

Accredited providers must offer complete cost transparency to clients so they can make informed choices about the best deal for them.

Leasing arrangements

The minimum requirements for leasing arrangements are:

• leases of 3 years or more
• clients are able to change electric bike or end the lease early if their disability changes
• lease arrangements and geographic support available to be transparent to clients
• no credit checks required for client to join the scheme
• providing new clients with a helmet, security lock and high-visibility clothing if required

Changes of circumstances

Accredited providers will need to provide support for changes of circumstances such as:

• changes to qualifying benefit or hospitalisation
• changes to insured drivers or changes in carer arrangements
• allowing a client to change electric bike or end a lease early if their disability changes

There should be no penalty if the client decides to end their lease early as stated in the lease agreement.

Insurance arrangements

Accredited providers will need to arrange insurance for theft and damage.

They will support clients by providing access to insurance due to changes of circumstances.

This will include coordinating and updating client insurance agreements.

Maintenance and dealership arrangements

Accredited provides will need to arrange maintenance, servicing and repairs and this should be accessible within an agreed geographical area. They will pay for or provide warranty for all non-cosmetic damage and mechanical repairs, including:

• repairs or and replacement to be included in the lease
• repair and replacement of tyres to be included in the lease (puncture repairs, wheel balancing, replacement of stolen or vandalised tyres)
• arrangements for electric bike batteries to be included in the lease

They will also need to make arrangements with dealerships to ensure bikes can be viewed before a final choice is made. Home viewings should be made available upon request of the client.

Breakdown and recovery

Accredited providers will need to arrange insurance and breakdown recovery. This will be included in the lease and the minimum requirements are:

• 24-hour breakdown recovery, 365 days a year
• alternative transport if their electric bike is off the road, for example a rental or replacement electric bike
• transport for up to 8 people to a single location
• overnight accommodation or travel costs up to the value of £100 per person or £300 per party – whichever is the lesser amount
• breakdown provider will comply with the Equality Act 2010 and provide adequate assistance to disabled drivers

They will support clients by providing access to insurance due to changes of circumstances.

This will include coordinating and updating client insurance agreements.

Customer service and support

The minimum requirements for customer service and support are:

• clients taking delivery of a new electric bike on the same day as handing back their old one
• average of 2 calendar days from incident to replacement for thefts and write-offs