How to Choose a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle

1: Assess Your Wheelchair Size and Type

It is critical to first assess how much interior space you require from your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle. This will enable you travel comfortably, with good visibility out of the windows and without feeling cramped.

Key Wheelchair Dimensions

The most important specifications to check are:

• The seated height of the wheelchair user;
• The ‘track’ (wheel to wheel) width of the wheelchair;
• The width and height of the armrests;
• The total length of the wheelchair;
• The weight of the wheelchair and user;
• Your wheelchair should be safety tested for use in a WAV, and is recommended to carry ISO 7176 certification.

By comparing these measurements to our wheelchair accessible vehicles, carefully checking for adequate entry height and internal headroom, we ensure that you travel in comfort. It is also vital to consider the weight of both the wheelchair and wheelchair user, as adequate restraints must be supplied to ensure passenger safety.

2: Choose Your Preferred Wheelchair Location

The travelling position of the wheelchair will determine inclusion, visibility, safety and wellbeing.

Wheelchair Locations

There are many options for locating the wheelchair user within the vehicle. Depending on your needs you may prefer:

• Wheelchair user up front next to the driver
• Wheelchair user next to the rear passengers
• Wheelchair user behind the rear passengers

Central Wheelchair Location

A central wheelchair location (between the rear seats) is popular with families for inclusion, conversation or attendance on the move. It also tends to offer the most space and comfort for the wheelchair user.

Rear Wheelchair Location

Travelling behind the rear seats is less ideal but might be right for you if the vehicle does not need to carry a wheelchair user very often – for example as a taxi or at a care home. A rear wheelchair location might also be adequate if you intend to transfer into a passenger seat, or are using the vehicle to carry a mobility scooter.

3: Consider Vehicle Size & Type

Like any car purchase, consider which vehicle best suits your lifestyle and how you will use it. Not only does the vehicle need to offer suitable comfort, inclusion and safety for the wheelchair user, it should also suit the entire family’s lifestyle.

Compact or Larger

Ensure that the vehicle will fit in your garage or drive, in any regular parking spaces (at the shops, or for example at school) and that it can easily be loaded and unloaded in all of these places. Check also for any height restrictions where you park.

Driving Controls

Discuss whether you require manual or automatic transmission, and ensure that it can it be driven by all necessary family members or carers.

Storage Solutions

Check that the vehicle has enough space or storage solutions for anything you need to travel with, mobility aids, luggage and additional equipment such as a ventilator or oxygen bottle. Our helpful staff can even suggest bespoke storage solutions for anything from bags of shopping to dogs, we can find a suitable solution.

4: Take a Test Drive

Make sure the wheelchair user sits comfortably on a level surface, with enough headroom to sit naturally with a good field of vision.

Ride Comfort

When assessing the best WAV for your needs, the wheelchair user’s comfort is a priority. Research by the Posture & Mobility Group for the “Best Practice for the Transportation of People Seated in Wheelchairs” states that sitting centrally, as low as possible within the vehicle, with a good field of vision, communication and attendance, are key priorities in finding a comfortable vehicle.

Visibility

Being able to see further out of the windows and windscreen can enhance the ride comfort for the wheelchair user, as well as minimising any feelings of claustrophibia or travel sickness. You can comfortably take longer journeys without feeling fatigued.

Driveability

Also check that the vehicle is suitable for other users – that any carers or family members can drive and operate the vehicle easily, and that it can be manoeuvred around parking areas.

5: Explore the Vehicle Features

Whilst many WAVs can look similar from outside, some key differences can set them apart on the inside.

Restraints

The wheelchair restraint system should be safety-tested to ensure it can safely tie the wheelchair down. The restraint system may be tested to a capacity from 85kg to 200kg, so check that it is suitable for the weight of the wheelchair. The restraint system should also be easy to use for carers, so check that everyone is able to easily operate any tie-downs and secure them tightly.

Lifts and Ramps

Ensure that the access system is easy and safe to use, and test how quickly it can be operated. Check with your provider how easily it can be operated in case of an emergency or power failure.

Climate Control

If you are sensitive to temperature, climate control is an important feature. Some vehicles have separate controls for the rear cabin area, making it easier to moderate the internal temperature to suit all passengers.

6: Funding Options

There are multiple affordable and flexible funding options, so consider which works best for your budget.

Look for a reputable convertor with experience in WAVs. Although some vehicles may be more expensive, they could benefit from higher residual values.

7: Get an Insurance Quote

A WAV is no different to insure than a standard vehicle, however you will need to inform your insurer that it has been converted to transport a wheelchair user, as you will need to cover the vehicle for the full replacement value.

How to Find Insurance for a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle

You can insure a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle through any of the major insurance companies, but we recommend firms who specialise in Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles.

Specialist companies include :

• Fish Insurance – 0333 331 3992
• Thomas & Co – 01202 620691
• Prestige Insurance – 0800 330857

We always recommend you contact at least a couple of insurance companies, as you will find the premium can differ; in some cases quite significantly.

8: Check Your Tax Exemption

Road Tax Exemption For Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

If you receive the higher rate of the Mobility Component or Disability Living Allowance (DLA), or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) you will be entitled to apply for a free road fund licence.

You will need to contact the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) online here or by phone to 08457 123 456 and request an application for a DLA 404. Please note you have to be declared and registered disabled before the age of 65 to be entitled to this exemption.

VAT Exemption For Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

Private individuals buying a permanently adapted vehicle can claim VAT Exemption, hence our prices are shown without VAT. There is a limit on the number of vehicles that can be purchased under the relief, with an eligible individual now being able to purchase only one vehicle that meets the qualifying conditions every 3 years.

That means if you as a private individual or charity intend to purchase more than one new Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle in a 3 year span, you may not qualify for VAT relief on each purchase. However some exemptions may apply to this ruling, for example if your vehicle is stolen or destroyed, or if your circumstances change dictating the need for a new vehicle.

More information regarding these changes can be found at the HMRC website.

9: Looking After Your WAV

Servicing For Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

WAVs can be serviced at a regular garage or dealership, so check that you have somewhere local that can carry out scheduled maintenance and repairs of the vehicle. This does not include aspects of the conversion, such as ramp and restraint systems. Some parts such as the fuel tank or suspension components may also be replaced during the conversion process, and so require the convertor to maintain them.

You can find your local dealer for some common brands here:

• Find a Volkswagen Van Centre
• Find a Ford Dealer
• Find a Mercedes-Benz Dealer
• Find a Toyota Dealer

Annual WAV Checks & Conversion Maintenance

The conversion of the vehicle will need to be regularly inspected and maintained by the vehicle convertor to ensure good operation and safe condition of aspects such as restraint belts.

Brotherwood have a nationwide team of mobile service engineers, who can visit you at home to carry out Annual WAV Checks and conversion servicing.

10: Think About Your Future Needs

Consider how your needs may change in the future. For example you may need more seats, or to carry different equipment with you. Before deciding if a vehicle is right for you we can help to assess your future needs, to ensure that the vehicle suits your requirements for years to come.

• Will you need to hire a larger vehicle for holidays?
• Will the wheelchair user’s height increase over the next few years?
• Are you planning on getting a new wheelchair?

Our expert staff are on hand to guide you through all of these considerations and more. Get in touch today to discuss your needs.

11: Driving With a Disability

If you’re considering the possibility of driving with a disability, independent, impartial advice can be found at a Driving Mobility centre.

With 16 mobility and driving assessment centres across the UK, Driving Mobility offer support to people with a medical condition that may impact their drive, people with a disability who think they may need adaptations to a vehicle in order to be able to control it safely, and more.