Wheelchair Accessible & Adapted Vehicle Hire

People with a disability should be able to enjoy traveling and independence as much as everyone else, but it can be complicated without the right method of transport. Good companies that offer WAV and adapted car hire can sometimes be difficult to find, and we’ve been told that it’s often hard to hire the right adapted vehicle at the right time.

There are many regional and nationwide companies that specialise in the hire of adapted cars and WAVs with household names like Enterprise rent-a-car and Hertz operating alongside specialist firms such as Specialist Vehicle Rental and Angel Vehicle Hire. Many new and second-hand WAV dealers like Gowrings Mobility and WavsGB also offer vehicle hire.

All the WAVs available to hire will come with either a powered lift or a ramp with a powered winch. Many of the vehicles will also feature a lowered rear floor to give you more room inside the vehicle and there will be anchor straps to secure wheelchair user in place, meaning everyone can travel safely and comfortably.

In addition, many specialist wheelchair rental firms also hire out even larger vehicles that can accommodate as many as four wheelchair users and even luxury 'prestige' vehicles, including adapted models like the Volkswagen Caravelle and the Mercedes-Benz Vito and V-Class.

Adapted mobility cars can be hired for drivers and passengers with a range of different needs and disabilities. Vehicles are typically adapted especially for the hirer and you can choose between hiring a smaller, cheaper car or from a range of larger, more expensive vehicles.

Whichever hire company you choose, we recommend checking these important points with your advisor before you agree to hire any vehicle:

• Is the adaptation that the person with a disability needs included in the hire price or will it cost extra?
• Does the hire firm offer a local or nationwide delivery and collection service, and how much extra does delivery cost?
• Is there a deposit to pay, and if so under what circumstances would it not be fully refundable on return of the hire vehicle?
• What does the insurance policy cover, and are the contents of the hire vehicle included?
• If the vehicle is involved in an accident how much excess would you have to pay, and can it be reduced by choosing an excess waiver option?
• Does the vehicle come with roadside assistance and recovery? 
• Does the hire firm employ experienced and knowledgeable staff who understand the different types of vehicle adaptations and wheelchair access issues?