SIGN this petition before people are trapped in their homes with a vehicle they cannot useand without the benefit that is paying for it!
Since October last year I have had a Motability vehicle, with what Motability calls/called an Open Policy. This meant that there was no restriction on who could drive my car, as long as they had a clean and valid license, rather than being tied to two nominated drivers who live within a 5-mile radius of my home.
The key problem I'm having is that RSAM, Motability's insurance arm (underwritten by Royal Sun Alliance), is insisting that every single person who drives a vehicle leased through Motability has a UK driving license.
This affects me because 90% of my PAs are drivers who gained their license outside the UK. I'm having the demon's own battle to get them to accept a South African licence despite it meeting every single point they are asking for.
We need to prove to Motability that the decision is WRONG on so many levels. For example I, in common with many other disabled people who require 24/7 personal support, employ agency workers who live in my home for a fortnight or more at a time. The majority of these workers are from overseas, and many do not remain long enough to make it worth their while to obtain a UK driving license.
Furthermore, in order to obtain a UK license, they have to surrender their home license, which incurs further expense when they return home.
Often, due to sickness or any unexpected events, I do not know the name of my PAs until shortly before they arrive, rendering it impossible for me to notify RSAM in a timely manner.
It is also going to render it impossible to live from now on unless Motability changes its underwriters.
14 March 2013
Updates
March 17, 2013
The stories shared by others facing these same insurance barriers highlight the systemic nature of this problem. I am currently compiling accounts of how these restrictive policies impact the daily independence of disabled people to present to the leadership at Motability. Please keep watch for further updates as I pursue a formal response regarding these unfair license requirements.
March 17, 2013
The momentum behind this effort has grown substantially and confirms that the current policy creates an unfair burden for those requiring consistent support. Your engagement proves that the need for a practical solution is widely recognized. I am currently preparing to bring these concerns directly to the relevant leadership for a formal review.
6 Comments
Why have motability done this? I cannot understand their motives. Are they following the general wave of disdain towards the disabled. Do we not have enough problems to deal with?
This is just another way to make our lives harder. Most of my carers are from abroad and they are perfectly safe drivers. Why fix what wasnt broken?
ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. My PA has driven for years with no issues but now because she has a license from elsewhere she cant drive my car. How am I supposed to get to my appointments now?
Having a UK license implies nothing about ability. My helper is a better driver than I ever was. Need to stop these stupid rules.
My carer is from Spain and has been driving for 20 years. This rule makes no sense at all and just leaves us stuck indoors. Totally unfair.
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SIGN this petition before people are trapped in their homes with a vehicle they cannot useand without the benefit that is paying for it!
Since October last year I have had a Motability vehicle, with what Motability calls/called an Open Policy. This meant that there was no restriction on who could drive my car, as long as they had a clean and valid license, rather than being tied to two nominated drivers who live within a 5-mile radius of my home.
The key problem I'm having is that RSAM, Motability's insurance arm (underwritten by Royal Sun Alliance), is insisting that every single person who drives a vehicle leased through Motability has a UK driving license.
This affects me because 90% of my PAs are drivers who gained their license outside the UK. I'm having the demon's own battle to get them to accept a South African licence despite it meeting every single point they are asking for.
We need to prove to Motability that the decision is WRONG on so many levels. For example I, in common with many other disabled people who require 24/7 personal support, employ agency workers who live in my home for a fortnight or more at a time. The majority of these workers are from overseas, and many do not remain long enough to make it worth their while to obtain a UK driving license.
Furthermore, in order to obtain a UK license, they have to surrender their home license, which incurs further expense when they return home.
Often, due to sickness or any unexpected events, I do not know the name of my PAs until shortly before they arrive, rendering it impossible for me to notify RSAM in a timely manner.
It is also going to render it impossible to live from now on unless Motability changes its underwriters.
14 March 2013
Updates
March 17, 2013
The stories shared by others facing these same insurance barriers highlight the systemic nature of this problem. I am currently compiling accounts of how these restrictive policies impact the daily independence of disabled people to present to the leadership at Motability. Please keep watch for further updates as I pursue a formal response regarding these unfair license requirements.
March 17, 2013
The momentum behind this effort has grown substantially and confirms that the current policy creates an unfair burden for those requiring consistent support. Your engagement proves that the need for a practical solution is widely recognized. I am currently preparing to bring these concerns directly to the relevant leadership for a formal review.
6 Comments
My partner is French and although she has lived in this country for 15 years she would like to keep her French driving licence. She was a named driver for the last 3 years of my policy, but now has to obtain a UK licence; ridiculous!!!
Why have motability done this? I cannot understand their motives. Are they following the general wave of disdain towards the disabled. Do we not have enough problems to deal with?
This is just another way to make our lives harder. Most of my carers are from abroad and they are perfectly safe drivers. Why fix what wasnt broken?
ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. My PA has driven for years with no issues but now because she has a license from elsewhere she cant drive my car. How am I supposed to get to my appointments now?
Having a UK license implies nothing about ability. My helper is a better driver than I ever was. Need to stop these stupid rules.
My carer is from Spain and has been driving for 20 years. This rule makes no sense at all and just leaves us stuck indoors. Totally unfair.
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My partner is French and although she has lived in this country for 15 years she would like to keep her French driving licence. She was a named driver for the last 3 years of my policy, but now has to obtain a UK licence; ridiculous!!!