What does "planning and following journeys" mean?

It covers planning a route (reading maps, understanding timetables, working out changes) AND following it (navigating, dealing with unexpected changes, managing anxiety about travel). Both physical and psychological barriers count.

Can anxiety about travel score PIP mobility points?

Yes. Overwhelming psychological distress that prevents any journey scores 10 points under descriptor 11e. Even needing prompting to leave the house due to anxiety scores 4 points under 11b.

What if I can only travel on familiar routes?

If you cannot follow unfamiliar routes without another person, you score 10 points under descriptor 11d. If you cannot even follow familiar routes alone, you score 12 points (Enhanced Mobility) under 11f.

PIP Activity 11: Planning and Following Journeys — Descriptors, Points & How to Score

Activity 11 assesses whether you can plan a route and follow it. This is the first of two mobility activities and covers both physical and psychological barriers to travel.

This is a Mobility activity. Maximum score: 12 points.

All Descriptors for Planning and Following Journeys

Descriptor	Description	Points	Examples
11a	Can plan and follow a journey unaided	0	—
11b	Needs prompting to undertake any journey (common in: agoraphobia, depression, PTSD)	4	anxiety about leaving house, needs encouragement
11c	Cannot plan the route of a journey (common in: learning disability, dementia)	8	cannot read maps, cannot plan changes
11d	Cannot follow the route of an unfamiliar journey without another person, guide dog or orientation aid (common in: dementia, visual impairment, autism)	10	gets lost in new places, visual impairment
11e	Cannot undertake any journey because of overwhelming distress (common in: panic disorder, agoraphobia, severe PTSD)	10	panic attacks prevent leaving, severe agoraphobia
11f	Cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person, guide dog or orientation aid (common in: bipolar, autism, Long Covid, dementia)	12	paranoia on transport, disorientation, route changes cause panic

The Reliability Test for Planning and Following Journeys

Even if you can technically do this activity, you should score higher points if you cannot do it:

Safely — without risk of harm to yourself or others
Repeatedly — as often as needed throughout the day
To an Acceptable Standard — properly and completely
In a Reasonable Time — not taking much longer than average

Failing ANY one of these four tests means you should score higher points, even if you can sometimes do the activity.

What Evidence Helps for Planning and Following Journeys?

Mental health team letters about travel anxiety, evidence of panic attacks on public transport, taxi receipts showing avoidance of public transport, statements about getting lost or confused.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Only describing physical mobility, not mentioning psychological barriers to travel (anxiety, panic), not explaining you can only do familiar routes.

Related Activities

Free Tools to Help

Free PIP Eligibility Checker — estimate your points for all 12 activities
Mandatory Reconsideration Letter Builder — challenge a PIP decision
Evidence Request Builder — get supporting evidence from your GP
Assessment Preparation — practice PIP assessment questions