Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV)

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 you are applying for an Up-Front Passenger WAV. Supporting evidence is needed to support a grant application for an Up-Front Passenger WAV.

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 dependent 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.