Also new to the scheme, though my wife has been on higher rate PIP for years.
Very recently went through the process of getting an application done – Hopefully now just waiting for the car to arrive.
My fledgling advice would be to look deeply into what’s available – Unless you happen to find a car that suits your needs checklist and it is available from a dealership you are fine with it seems you can expect to wait a couple of months at least for your car to be ready. However, cars come and go all the time and so do the deals and Advance Purchase prices.
Really research what you want, then head to the dealership armed with your needs. From my experience so far, the dealers seem to prefer us to tell them what we want rather than guide us through.
Once you find something that you are sure is suitable and at a deal you are happy with, at a dealer you are happy with – make the application through the dealership ASAP. Get the deal done before it changes, if you are happy with it. Take all your required ID with you to any dealership visit, just in case you want to go ahead straight away.
We’ve never owned a car before now, so for the past few weeks my head has been spinning with cars and car terminology that I haven’t used since passing my test a few years ago- being the driver for my wife her comfort was paramount. I wasn’t offered and neither did I ask for a test drive on the car we ordered – Because it doesn’t matter to me that much. So as soon as she found a comfortable car that she could get in and out of ok, that was it. Deal done that day. Obviously not familiar with your situation but everyone’s is different and based on some experiences here you might need to push for information or even a basic thing like a test drive.
Get the blue badge applied for, as stated before me.
A lot of it comes down to your needs and situation, but it seems you have to both take your time with the research about a car, but also be prepared to act on it quickly before the deal (or car) goes from the scheme.
Best of luck with it all, and keep ringing the dealerships back if they don’t return your call…