Policy / Research

A Fair Deal for Volunteers: Reviewing AMAP

Volunteer drivers are the lifeblood of Community Transport. They keep essential services running every single day, up and down the country. We believe that they deserve a fair deal which fully covers their expenses.

In 2022, we launched a campaign to increase the outdated 2011 Approved Mileage Allowance Payment (AMAP) rate, which organisations use to reimburse volunteers tax-free when they use their own vehicles, to ensure no one was left out of pocket.

In May 2026, we were successful in securing a 10p uplift to the AMAP rate for cars up to 55p per mile from the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Thank you to everyone who was part of our campaign to end the outdated 2011 rate. We’re proud of what our movement as achieved together after years of hard work.

Look back at our campaign

CTA’s statement on AMAP uplift announcement (May 2026) – READ

Chancellor’s announcement of a new AMAP rate (May 2026) – WATCH

CTA’s Autumn Budget Representation to HM Treasury (September 2024) – DOWNLOAD

MPs debate AMAP at Westminster (July 2023) – WATCH

CTA’s campaign briefing (2023) – DOWNLOAD

Media coverage of our campaign (July 2022) – READ

New AMAP rates

Two tables side by side comparing the approved mileage rates from tax year 2011 to 2026 and 2026 to 2027

Source: HMRC

Our supporters

Our campaign was backed by ten leading voluntary sector organisations across the UK who shared our concerns and joined us in calling for an AMAP uplift:

Together, we represent thousands of volunteer-involving organisations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. And we’re speaking up for the more than 1.7 million volunteers who are directly involved in transport-related volunteering, such as Community Transport.

An AMAP uplift is not only in the interests of volunteers, but of employees and employers too. A review has been backed by major trade unions, like Unison, and leading trade bodies, like the Confederation of British Industry.

Resourcing the uplift

The AMAP rate is not a legal obligation. Community Transport operators can choose at which level to reimburse their volunteers depending on local circumstances, volunteer needs and financial considerations for organisations and passengers.

The new, higher AMAP rate gives organisations greater flexibility and freedom to do what is right for them, their volunteers and their passengers. It enables operators to increase their level of reimbursement and/or passenger fares if and when they and/or their community can afford to do so.

Community Transport now needs the financial resources to implement the new AMAP rate. Central, devolved and local government should deliver uplifts to grants and contracts which cover the additional costs. Voluntary organisations’ bids for grants and contracts for 2026/27 were based on the previous rate of 45p at a time when their budgets are already being squeezed by inflation and rising demand.

We’ve written to the Chancellor on this basis and will continue the campaign for fair funding for all Community Transport operators to ensure they can deliver a fair deal for all Community Transport volunteers.

Advice for volunteers

NCVO’s general guide for volunteer drivers is available here.

Volunteers can use HMRC’s guidance to check if they need to pay tax on their mileage payments.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has advice for volunteers on how to inform their insurer and a list of insurers who have committed to not charge extra for volunteer driving.

Advice for organisations

CTA members can access our specialist advice resources on recruiting, retaining and managing volunteer drivers.

Read our AMAP FAQs here.

Get in touch

For any policy or public affairs enquiries, please contact policy@ctauk.org. 

For any media or press enquiries, please contact media@ctauk.org.