Hundreds of drivers have been removed from the Motability Scheme in just months as a result of "proven and persistent dangerous driving". Figures released to the Disability News Service show that between September 2025 and February 2026, 323 people were removed as a result of the Drive Smart black box programme.
While the majority of disabled people affected were allowed to continue on the scheme as they had multiple drivers registered, 52 customers were unable to continue their lease and handed back the vehicle. The publication said in some of these cases it was as a result of the named driver being the one removed for the condition of their driving.
The figures come ahead of the scheme becoming compulsory last week. Figures from early 2026 show that there were 860,000 people across the UK using the Motability Scheme which provides options including a new car, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair along with many of the associated running costs.
By February, there were 17,146 Motability customers using Drive Smart technology. Disability News Service said this meant it was a "small but significant proportion" of disabled people who were losing their vehicles.
Under the new rules all drivers with a person aged under 30 named on the lease agreement must have black boxes fitted in their cars and download an app to the mobile phone of everyone who drives the vehicle. The equipment will include telematics devices that monitor driving behaviour, including speed and braking patterns, generating a weekly score of green, amber or red.
Those who accrue 4 red ratings within a 12-month period may be removed from the Motability scheme. The scheme last week confirmed that if a driver receives a 'red' week alert, followed by the same rating for two consecutive weeks, they risk losing their vehicle. However the scheme also rewards safe driving with up to £160 a year in vouchers.
The programme has been introduced across the UK in phases. It concentrated on new customers and those with drivers aged under 30.
A Motability Operations spokesperson said: "The Motability scheme operates a shared insurance model, meaning all customers receive the same comprehensive cover as part of their lease, regardless of personal circumstances. This ensures the scheme remains accessible, but also means managing costs is essential to keeping it fair and affordable for everyone.
“Drive Smart is one of the ways we are tackling rising insurance costs among higher risk customer groups, including new scheme customers and those with drivers under 30 years old. Only these groups will use Drive Smart and most customers will not need to use the app.
“Between October and February, 323 drivers from across the UK enrolled in Drive Smart were removed from scheme leases for proven and persistent dangerous driving. The majority of leases continued with other named drivers.
“Customers who receive a red week are offered feedback and support, including the option to talk it through with us, and only where repeated unsafe driving is clearly attributed to one driver may that person be removed following consecutive red weeks."
