Driving Your Motability Vehicle Abroad: Your Ultimate Guide

The Motability Scheme allows you to take your car or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) to a country within the European Union (EU) and to Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, for up to 90 days in total within a 12-month period.

This flexible policy gives you the freedom to explore various destinations at your own pace. Just remember to keep track of your days to ensure you don't exceed the 90-day limit.

Get in touch with the Motability Scheme team if you want longer than 90 days, as you will need to get written permission from them. Allow a minimum of 21 days before you're planning on travelling, to get in touch.

If something occurs whilst overseas that means you need to extend your stay, you must contact the Motability Scheme team as soon as you can.

Before hitting the road, it's wise to do some research about your destination and its driving regulations. Here are a few key points to consider:

• Local Driving Laws: Familiarise yourself with the local speed limits (likely to be shown in kilometres per hour), parking rules, and any specific requirements such as carrying reflective vests or first aid kits. Many countries also require you to display a ‘UK’ sticker on your vehicle too. Remember, most European countries drive on the right-hand side of the road. 
• Tolls and Fees: Some countries have toll roads or congestion charges. Research these in advance to avoid any surprises and plan your budget accordingly.
• Environmental Zones: Certain cities have low-emission zones where only vehicles meeting specific emissions standards are allowed. Make sure your Motability vehicle complies if you plan to visit such areas.
• Parking: Look into parking options at your destination to save time and stress. Is street parking common? Are there parking garages available? If you have one, is the UK Blue Badge Parking Scheme recognised where you're going to?

• Plan your routes where possible in advance and have a physical map or navigation system as backup.
• If you're traveling to a country with a different language, consider learning a few basic phrases or carrying a translation app to help with communication.
• Save emergency numbers for the country you're visiting in your phone. Hopefully, you won't need them, but it's always better to be prepared.
• Have local currency on hand for tolls, parking, and small purchases. Also, inform your bank about your travel plans to avoid any issues with card transactions.
• Carry an emergency kit with essentials like first aid supplies and a spare tyre.
• Be mindful of local customs and driving etiquette to ensure a respectful and enjoyable experience.