Published 18 June 2026 · Last updated 22 June 2026
The Motability Scheme has confirmed that all new customers joining from 13 April 2026 must have a Drive Smart telematics device fitted to their vehicle, with no opt out available. The change applies to first time customers of every age and forms part of a wider set of scheme reforms arriving through 2026.
Drive Smart is a small device fitted to the car and linked to a smartphone app. It records how the vehicle is driven, including speed, braking, and mobile phone use, then gives the driver a weekly score and feedback. Motability says safer drivers can earn up to £160 a year in reward vouchers. After taking delivery, customers must download the app and have the device activated within ten days.
The mandatory rollout follows an earlier attempt to introduce compulsory telematics for younger drivers, which was paused in 2025 after customer concerns. The reintroduction for all new joiners has prompted fresh debate among disability groups about privacy and journey monitoring, balanced against the scheme’s argument that the data helps keep insurance and running costs sustainable for everyone.
The telematics requirement sits alongside other changes from 1 July 2026, when VAT and Insurance Premium Tax will apply to most new leases, mileage allowances will be reduced, and excess mileage charges will rise. Wheelchair accessible vehicles remain exempt from the VAT and IPT changes. None of these measures affect the underlying disability benefit, the PIP or DLA mobility component, or a person’s eligibility for the scheme. Existing customers are not affected until they renew.
For many disabled people, the scheme is only one part of staying independent at home and in the community. If you are reviewing your wider mobility needs, our guides to mobility scooters and wheelchairs explain the options for shorter journeys and around town, including powered models that suit different budgets and abilities.
Anyone joining from April should read the scheme terms carefully and budget for the activation steps within the ten day window, since failing to activate the device could affect the lease. It is also worth comparing the total cost of scheme membership against buying equipment outright, particularly for those who mainly need help with local trips rather than long distance driving. Our overview of mobility aids can help you think through the full picture.
The reforms also highlight a broader point for disabled people planning their finances in 2026. With lease costs, mileage limits, and excess charges all shifting, it is sensible to map out your typical journeys before committing, since around three in four scheme customers already drive within the new mileage allowance. For those whose needs are mostly local, owning a scooter or powered wheelchair outright can sometimes work out cheaper over time than running a car, and avoids monitoring entirely. Weighing these trade offs early, ideally with help from a Motability specialist or an independent adviser, can prevent surprises once the new terms take effect.
Related guides on Review Mobility
Explore our guides to mobility scooters, wheelchairs, and the wider range of mobility aids to find the right support for daily life.
Sources: MotaClarity, Disability Horizons, and Motability Scheme changes.
Published 18 June 2026 · Last updated 22 June 2026