Motability drivers facing charges driving to Donegal

Derry Motability Scheme customers are to be hit with extra charges for driving into Donegal.

The financial penalty was revealed this week in a letter from the CEO of Motability Operations, Andrew Miller, to the approximately 51,000 Motability Scheme customers in the North.

Established in 1977, the Motability Scheme enables people with a disability to use their government-funded mobility allowances to lease new cars, scooters, or powered vehicles.

In his letter, Mr Miller outlined the four charges that will be placed on new Motability Scheme orders from July 1, 2026, including “introducing a charge if you choose to take your car abroad”.

The other charges are a reduction in the annual mileage allowance; and increase in the excess mileage fee; and changing tyre replacement limits.

A spokesperson for Motability Operations confirmed to The Derry News, the organisation considered Donegal as “abroad”, meaning Derry Motability Scheme customers nipping to Bridgend will face a financial penalty.

“We understand how important it is for customers in Northern Ireland to stay connected with family, work and everyday life, including travelling across the border,” added the spokesperson.

“From July 1, customers will need to pay an administrative cost for the VE103 form which people need to request to take a leased vehicle outside the UK.

“Further information about the administrative fee will be published on the Motability Scheme website in advance of July.

“These changes aim to protect the long-term sustainability of the Scheme as motoring costs rise and following the announcement of new tax costs in the Autumn Budget, while continuing to support the independence that disabled people rely on every day,” said the spokesperson.

Aontú representative Emmet Doyle said he had been contacted by current Motability Scheme customers “shocked” Motability Operations had even considered introducing the charges for drivers leaving the jurisdiction.

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The former councillor said: “I took the opportunity to ring Motability Operations who confirmed that as far as the changes were concerned, driving over the border would be included in their ‘using the car abroad’ plans.

“It is as if no-one at Motability bothered to look at a map to see how its future customers living in border areas would be affected if they drove their cars to what, in most cases, is their next town or village or if their nearest petrol station is over the border.

“The planned changes around charging Motability Scheme users in Derry and across the North if they cross the border simply have to be reversed.

“They make little sense and will invariably lead to future customers in border areas either being disadvantaged financially or not using the Motability Scheme at all.”