Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles ( or WAV’s as they are commonly known), are cars or mini vans that have been fully converted so that wheelchair users can travel while remaining in their wheelchair whilst travelling.  The size, shape and design of the wheelchair access vehicle will vary depending on the original vehicle used for the conversion. All wheelchair accessible vehicles have easy access and offer safe travelling for the wheelchair user be they the driver or the passenger.

Looking for a new wheelchair access vehicle can be exciting especially if it’s your first time, getting your independence back is a good feeling.  If you are finding it difficult being able to transfer from your wheelchair to a standard car seat, a wheelchair accessible vehicle could make travelling and life in general a lot easier. Choosing the right WAV will obviously pay dividends, we can help with that. It’s all a question of finding a vehicle to suit your needs. We can tailor all vehicles to suit your requirements.

Before you start looking for a wheelchair access vehicle, it will help pay to make a list of everything you need from the vehicle.  Please read our buying guide.

• How big is your wheelchair (height, length & width)?

• What’s your height when sat in the wheelchair?

• How many people do you usually travel with or expect to travel with?

• Will you ever need to transport more unusual items (travel luggage etc)?

• Would automatic transmission be of more use than a manual?

• What will be the main uses of the wheelchair accessible vehicle?

• Parking, will you be able to use a rear facing ramp or would a hoist lift be more appropriate?

• Petrol or diesel?  (diesel isn’t always the cheapest option for WAV’s)

• Do you need to park alongside kerbs?

• If you’re a passenger, would you prefer to be sat behind the driver or alongside the driver?

 Wheelchair access vehicles are fitted with either a ramp or lift. Choosing the right vehicle access to suit you, and or your carer is very important. Ramps seem to be the most popular way of accessing vehicles these days. Ramps can be manually operated or automatic, automatic usually costs a little bit more. You’ll need to check the length and degree of angle suits the wheelchair user. WAV’s can also be equipped for mobility scooters.  Larger WAV’s can be fitted with a lift, this can make life easier for carers. Costs for lifts are usually higher than ramps. Lifts also need to be serviced every 12 months, we can help with this.

The most popular type of disabled lift hoists simply lift people out of the car and in and out of their wheelchair whereas other lifts will lift the wheelchair and disabled person into the vehicle, these can be costly but serve a very useful purpose.  There are even mobility scooter hoists available. these simply lift the scooter safely and easily in or out of the vehicle.

Travelling in a wheelchair accessible vehicle will seem strange if you’ve never been in one before, it doesn’t take long to get used to it. Most WAV’s are designed so that the wheelchair sits behind the front seats. The space you have inside a wheelchair accessible vehicle is very important – not just for passengers, but also to accommodate the things and people you will be travelling with.    

We are committed to providing the best disabled vehicle for you. Our experience in the industry allows us to match up the right wheelchair accessible vehicles with your needs, whether it be the type of lowered floor you are after or a particular make, model, fuel type or transmission of vehicle; Mobility Disabled in Gloucestershire will be able to find you a the right wheelchair accessible vehicle or WAV suited to your needs.

Why not take a look at a sample of our latest wheelchair accessible vehicles and wheelchair access vehicles, below, or use the search functions above to find the perfect vehicle.