How to Choose a Mobility Car Adapted for Wheelchair Access

Our WAVs provide various options for wheelchair position when travelling in the rear. Our RS conversion has the rear seats in their original position, and if you opt for a compact WAV the seats are moved forward providing space for the wheelchair, perfect for couples and smaller families where additional rear seating is not always required. In longer wheelbase versions of these WAVs, the seats remain in their original position, with ample space behind the rear seats for the wheelchair user – ideal for families.
The RE conversion has the original seating removed and, either one or two slimline coach-built seats are installed, with the wheelchair positioned between or next to the rear passenger seats, especially handy when travelling with other family members or if a carer prefers to travel next to the user.

If you prefer not to travel in your wheelchair or scooter you can opt to stow the chair or scooter in your WAV and transfer to a standard or adapted seat. The chair or scooter is secured using the independent automatic safety system or restraints. If you choose to travel as an upfront passenger, you can opt for an internal transfer vehicle, like our Dream or Vision conversion. Accessing the vehicle from the rear in your chair or scooter, you can then manoeuvre to a six-way adjustable seat, providing an easy transition to the upfront passenger position.

With a growing range of mobility vehicles to choose from in Ireland, how do you know where to start? Fortunately, our skilled mobility advisors are here to help.

Firstly, we’ll aim to understand your family circumstances and how you expect to use your mobility vehicle. Some key factors to consider include:

Type of wheelchair – what is the size and weight of your wheelchair? This will affect the best model of mobility vehicle to choose and the rating required for the wheelchair restraints.

Is your wheelchair crash tested? Look for the test symbol on your chair. Without this, it may not be safe to travel in that wheelchair and you may need to find a different chair for journeys in your new car.

How many wheelchair spaces do you need? Most mobility cars have one wheelchair position, whereas the popular Independence Twin is ideal for two wheelchair users. Social transport operators may need a wheelchair accessible minibus, for multiple wheelchair passengers.

How many people will travel with you in your wheelchair accessible vehicle? This will also influence which model of car best suits you needs.

Transmission – who will be the driver or drivers? Do they prefer driving a manual or an automatic vehicle?

Will you travel as a passenger in the rear of the mobility car? This is the most common option. Or would you prefer to be seated as a passenger in the front, beside the driver? This is possible, although more costly. You can even choose to drive from your own wheelchair, subject to passing the relevant disability driving test.

How will you pay for the car and how much do you expect to spend? Our mobility partners in Ireland can offer a range of new and used wheelchair accessible vehicles, to help fit around your budget. They can also guide you on savings on VAT, Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) and any possible source of grant assistance, such as charitable organisations.

Once we understand a bit more about you and your family, we can better help you choose a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) to best suit your needs. Here are some initial options to think about.

Small Mobility Cars – Very much like a ‘normal’ car and easily manoeuvrable for any driver. Our smaller mobility cars can accommodate a wheelchair user or up to five seated passengers.

– Peugeot Rifter Horizon™ (short wheelbase – SWB)
– Ford Connect Freedom™ (short wheelbase – SWB)
– Volkswagen Caddy Vista™ (short wheelbase – SWB)

Medium Mobility Cars – A longer wheelbase version of the small WAVs. This provides extra room and the potential to add occasional, ‘tip and turn’ seats in the third row.

– Peugeot Rifter Horizon™ (short wheelbase – LWB)
– Ford Connect Freedom™ (short wheelbase – LWB)
– Volkswagen Caddy Vista™ (short wheelbase – LWB)

People Carrier Mobility Cars – The next size up, an MPV or people carrier retains a car-like drive and feel but is that bit taller and roomier. Ideal for larger families or small groups, an MPV mobility vehicle can accommodate up to two wheelchairs or up to seven seated passengers.

– Ford Custom Independence™ and Independence Twin™

Drive From Wheelchair and Upfront Passenger – Cars with an even larger section of specially lowered floor, so you can move your wheelchair right through to the front of the vehicle, whether as a passenger or to drive your mobility car yourself.

– Peugeot Rifter Inspire™

RE and RS Models

Many of our mobility vehicles are offered with a choice of RS or RE models. Think RS for retaining the original car seats in the second row. This maximises the number of seats available (five, when the wheelchair space isn’t in use). Think RE for extra space for the wheelchair occupant. Replacing the original, row two seats with either one or two smaller seats means more width and more legroom for the wheelchair passenger. It all depends on the size of the wheelchair you’ll be travelling with in your mobility vehicle.

A ramp that enables easy access to the vehicle: Our Drive From Wheelchair WAVs have automatic ramp access, with a click of a button, the tailgate opens and the ramp extends. While our passenger WAVs have a handy fold flat ramp that provides additional storage in the rear when not being used by the wheelchair user, these ramps are positioned vertically behind the wheelchair when the space is in use.

Special wheelchair restraints: These restraints secure the wheelchair in place during transport. Our wheelchair restraints are specially designed and safety tested up to 400kg, depending on your requirements. You can also opt to have an independent automatic safety system (docking station) installed in selected vehicles, like our drive from range, which automatically secures your chair or scooter.

We lower the floor on some of our wheelchair accessible vehicles to provide easier access. By lowering the floor, we can provide additional space within the cabin and reduce the gradient of the ramp, giving easy access. On some other conversions, we will raise the roof to facilitate easier entry and access and provide additional headroom.