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Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV)

If you need to travel while staying in your wheelchair, you may need a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV). These are specially adapted vehicles that let you travel safely without needing to transfer from your wheelchair. 

Before applying for a WAV grant, please think about whether a standard car with adaptations could work for you. Many people who use mobility aids can travel comfortably in a regular car with the right equipment. You may find that a car with adaptations better suits your needs. Find out more about our Car and Vehicle Adaptations Grant here.

We aim to fund what’s essential to help you make everyday journeys, in the most affordable way possible so that we can maximise the impact of our resources.

All of our applications are means tested to help make sure the grant goes to people who are most in need of financial help. If you are eligible for a grant but can pay something towards the cost, we may ask you to do that.

Scheme-related grant

Who can apply 

You can apply if:

  • you are a disabled person or the appointee for a disabled person on the Motability Scheme, or applying to join.
  • you are not planning to change your wheelchair in the next 12 months.
  • you have not ordered your vehicle before contacting us.

What the grant covers

  • the Advance Payment for a suitable WAV.
  • any essential adaptations needed for your WAV.
  • minor adaptations during your lease if your needs have changed.

What the grant does not cover

  • your personal preference for high-specification or premium cars.
  • dealer options, unless essential for access or disability need.
  • your personal preferences for fuel type, brand or vehicle conversion specialist.
  • a vehicle you have already ordered.
  • major changes during your lease as this may require a new application.
  • adaptations for a non-Scheme vehicle.
  • vehicles that are not available on the Motability Scheme.
  • any ongoing or running costs associated with the vehicle such as fuel or electricity.

Common questions:

A WAV is produced by a vehicle conversion specialist. It has either a lowered floor and ramped access or a flat floor and a tail lift. This allows a wheelchair user to travel into the vehicle and remain seated as a passenger in their wheelchair. The wheelchair is secured with a four-point manual tie-down system in the floor and a personal seat belt for the person seated in their wheelchair.

If you can transfer from your mobility device, we would investigate the suitability of a car with adaptations first.

WAVs are available in different layouts that either allow the wheelchair user to travel in the mid-row, the third row (towards the back of the vehicle) or in an Up-Front Passenger position. Some WAVs can accommodate more than one wheelchair position.

Some WAVs can be supplied with automated features such as an automatic tie down, an automatic ramp or automatic tailgate. We will assess your disability needs to see if you need any of these additional features.

If you need to drive from your wheelchair or transfer internally to the driver’s seat, you should consider the Independent Driving Solutions Grant.

If you are hoisted at home and need personal care administered within a WAV you should consider the Bespoke Passenger Solutions Grant.

A vehicle conversion specialist is the company who adapts a vehicle for wheelchair access as either a passenger or a driver.

No. You must apply and wait for us to confirm whether your application has been successful before placing a vehicle order. 

You must get one of these disability benefits to join the Motability Scheme:

  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – Enhanced rate mobility
  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – Higher rate mobility
  • Scottish Adult DLA – Higher rate mobility
  • Adult Disability Payment (Scotland) – Enhanced rate mobility
  • Child Disability Payment (Scotland) – Higher rate mobility
  • War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment

This will depend on your household income and financial circumstances. We will inform you if we think you need to contribute.

If you choose to make a voluntary contribution towards your Advance Payment grant, there are limits within our policy. Grant applicants can add up to £750 or 50 per cent of the Advance Payment grant, whichever is lower.

No, not unless requested. by us. However, if you are applying for an Up-Front Passenger WAV supporting evidence is needed as part of your grant application.

No.

New Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles are leased over five years. Nearly New WAVs are leased over three years. If your vehicle remains suitable at the end of your lease, we may recommend you keep it for longer. 

You can apply for adaptations or an alternative solution partway through your lease if your current solution no longer works. Your application will be subject to eligibility at the time of your new application.

Yes, especially if your condition has changed or you need a different type of vehicle. Your application will be subject to eligibility at the time of your new application. 

If your vehicle remains suitable at the end of your lease, we may recommend you keep it for longer. 

No. We’ll help you find the right solution for your needs. We can only provide grants towards WAVs available through the Motability Scheme. These vehicles are built to strict safety standards and must be approved by the Scheme. 

Your Case Manager will guide you to a vehicle that meets your needs and fits within your grant award. We will not fund a top-of-the-range model if the information you provide demonstrates to us that a lower-cost one can meet your mobility needs. Please note that a grant towards a top-of-the-range model is extremely rare.

Maybe. If you use a wheelchair most of the time or for longer trips, a WAV might be the best option. 

But if you can transfer safely into a car seat, we may suggest a standard car with adaptations instead. 

Your Case Manager will talk to you about what’s safest and easiest for your daily travel. 

Yes. Especially if you can transfer from your mobility device into a normal car seat, please look at cars with adaptations first.

You can read more about the CVA (Car and Vehicle Adaptations) Grant here.

Yes. If they are a Motability Scheme customer and meet all the eligibility criteria. For example, you can apply on behalf of your disabled child or partner if you are their appointee.

You must get one of these disability benefits to join the Motability Scheme and have at least 12 months remaining on your award:

  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – Enhanced rate mobility
  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – Higher rate mobility
  • Scottish Adult DLA – Higher rate mobility
  • Adult Disability Payment (Scotland) – Enhanced rate mobility
  • Child Disability Payment (Scotland) – Higher rate mobility
  • War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment

No. We carry out our own means testing process on all applications. We will ask you about your household income and savings. We may ask you to pay something towards the cost of your vehicle or adaptations.

Yes. All vehicle conversion specialists offer a free, UK wide home demonstration and delivery service. This allows you to check that your wheelchair and other essential equipment can fit in the vehicle and it will support your mobility needs.

Once your Case Manager has contacted you to confirm your application has been approved you can then arrange at least one demonstration. You may be able to consider more than one vehicle, depending on your grant award.

Yes. If you need more space for essential equipment, the grant may help with the cost of a bigger vehicle. We’ll look at what’s needed when we assess your application.

Yes. We’ll ask who needs to travel with you most days. This could include: 

  • Children you receive Child Benefit for 
  • A partner or carer  
  • A dependant adult who lives with you, like an elderly parent 

We’ll also think about space for mobility equipment or luggage for things like respite care. This helps us choose a vehicle that’s the right size for your day-to-day life. 

You can only have one grant at a time, but we’ll help you apply for the right one.

If your needs change later, you may be able to apply again in the future.

If you applied online, you should have got an email straight away to say we’ve received it.

If you posted your form, we’ll aim to contact you within two working days of getting it.

Right now, lots of people are applying for grants. It may take us around four weeks to start looking at your application. We’ll be in touch as soon as we can. Thank you for being patient.

People we have supported with a WAV grant...

Becky is in her wheelchair on the ramp of her black wheelchair accessible vehicle. She is smiling to camera. She has long brown hair, black coat, grey hoodie, pink trousers and pink trainers. He mum Sarah is operating the ramp, she is has black long hair in a pony tail with a black coat, blue jeans and black trainers, she is smiling at Becky. Behind them is a park with orange and yellow leaves on the trees.

Becky

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAV)
Tina and her friend are out in their local park. They are both looking at the map of the park to decide where to go next.

Tina

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAV)
Poppy is sitting in her powered wheelchair in her vehicle. To the left of her is her older brother Liam, Poppy and Liam and smiling at one another. To the right of her is her car seat.

Poppy

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAV)