Different By Design ®

This section of our website is all about FAQ regarding Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs). Whether you’re starting to think about leasing a WAV, or are already one of our WAV customers, these pages are full of useful information that could help you.

Watch a Video about WAVs – Motability

What are WAVs?
Is a WAV right for me?
How much room do I need?
How many people will I be travelling with?
Will there be room for luggage?
How will I get in and out?
Where do I normally park?
Seating positions?
What other features might I need?
How do I get a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle?
Why do I need to take a test drive?
I’ve found the perfect WAV , now what?
Handy tips for when you first get your WAV
Are you having trouble with the features of your WAV?
Advice on Insurance
How a WAV is converted ?
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Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) are cars that have been converted to carry passengers travelling in their wheelchair or for those who wish to drive from a wheelchair. Based on standard models, WAVs include features such as a built-in ramp, or lifts on larger vehicles, wheelchair tie-downs and seat belts for wheelchair users to aid entrance into the WAV and help to keep passengers secure.

There are two types of WAVs that you can get: a passenger WAV, which allow for one or more passenger to be seated in their wheelchair whilst travelling, or a WAV that a wheelchair user can drive. If you would like to drive from your wheelchair, you will need to have the WAV fitted with custom controls and other features to enable you to drive independently.

To enable the wheelchair user to have access and space to remain in their wheelchair, WAVs will either have a high roof or a lowered floor, depending on the model you choose and the converter that carries out the conversion. Both methods of conversion have benefits and drawbacks which should be considered carefully. Lewis Reed can offer these options to you.
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If you find transferring from your wheelchair into a standard car and storing your wheelchair difficult, then a WAV might be for you. A WAV allows you to remain in your wheelchair and access the vehicle via a ramp or a lift, depending on the conversion, and get into position. Some more complex conversions allow the wheelchair user to drive the vehicle completely independently.

Below are some considerations that wheelchair users should take into consideration when choosing a WAV.

1. WAVs offer a different travelling experience and are often more expensive than a standard car. Travelling in your wheelchair in a WAV will mean that you do not have the same support that you are used to from a standard car seat. You will get used to this in time.

2. As the wheelchair user remains in their wheelchair, it is likely that they could be at a different height to other passengers, so both visibility and conversation may be difficult, as wheelchair passengers.

3. WAVs can also be bigger than the type of car that you’re used to, so it’s important to think about how this will affect your travel from day to day. For example, you may not be able to park in the places you did in your previous car depending on the type of conversion you have and the entry and exit method you will use.

4. A lowered floor means that the ground clearance will be less – so if you regularly travel over roads with speed humps you will need to ensure that you have enough clearance. A lowered floor is also likely to mean that the fuel tank has been modified or replaced, often reducing its size or changing its shape – this will mean that your WAV may need to be filled up with fuel more regularly and it could affect the functioning of the fuel gauge. Similar to standard cars, the fuel gauge of a WAV is often not an accurate measure, however you will need to understand the maximum range of your tank and remember to fill up the tank completely when you refuel.

5. If you opt for a conversion with a high roof, think about where you usually park your car, and make sure that the height of the vehicle will not become a problem for you.

6. Should you opt for a passenger WAV, it is extremely important to ensure that your driver feels comfortable and confident driving and operating the vehicle. WAVs tend to be larger than regular cars, and as a result will offer a very different driving experience. It is also likely that the driver of your WAV will have to adapt their driving style, as they will need to consider the safety and security of their wheelchair passenger in the back.
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• How much room do I need?
  Being able to easily access and position your wheelchair within your WAV is essential. The best way to be sure is to practice entering and exiting the WAVs you are interested in at your test drives. Consider if you will need to change your wheelchair during the course of your lease, especially if the wheelchair user is a child, as this may also have an affect on your choice of WAV.
• How many people will I be travelling with?
  Most of our vehicles are based around a single wheelchair passenger. However, Lewis Reed strive to arrange the wheelchair positions to be as inclusive in the family as possible whether it’s upfront, middle row or rear. We arrange your wheelchair positions to suit you and your family. We also have vehicles that allow wheelchair users to drive from their wheelchair and seats that either turn or can be placed facing the rear.
• Will there be room for luggage?
  Consider the equipment you will regularly need to travel with, as well as any extra luggage that you may want to carry. We recommend that you practice loading and storing such items when viewing a WAV.
• How will I get in and out?
  WAVs come fitted with either a ramp or a lift for larger vehicles, and access will either be from the side or the back of the vehicle. Consider how and where you will regularly be getting into the vehicle to ensure the wheelchair passenger can easily access the WAV. If you are unsure about which option is right for you, talk to one of our sales advisors. .
• Where do I normally park?
  Think about where you regularly park– is there enough space to operate a ramp or lift? Would side or rear access be more suitable? You also need to consider the height of your potential WAV, and whether space and height restrictions in multi-storey car parks may pose a problem.
• Seating positions?
  Seating layouts vary across WAVs, so you need to think about which position would be best for you. Wherever you sit, being able to see out clearly is very important. The size of the windows, the slope of the floor and whether the vehicle has been lowered or not will all make a difference. You also need to check that there is enough head room, allowing for variations in the WAVs . The best way to find out which position you would be most comfortable travelling in is to try out a WAV!
• What other features might I need?
  A few WAVs have automatic transmission and all have power-assisted steering. With some vehicles you can choose a more highly specified model, but if you go through Motability this will mean that your advance payment will be higher. You can also order optional extras, such as parking sensors.
• Depending on the seating plan in your WAV, as well as how many passengers will be travelling in it, you may find that heating or air conditioning is essential to ensure your journey is a comfortable one. We may be able to offer an option of additional heating and air conditioning focused on the rear of the vehicle – this will generally be at an additional cost. Discuss the options available with our Sales Advisor..

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Once you have decided upon a WAV we will establish which WAV is likely to be the closest match to your needs and will bring the most relevant demonstration model for you to try at your home,
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Test drives are the only way to check if a WAV will meet your individual requirement. Customer experience tells us that there’s no comparison to having a test drive to see how one WAV compares to another.

A no obligation demonstration specialist will visit the customer’s home anywhere in the UK rather than a sales person. This offers a unique stress free and non committal experience for the customer in a friendly, no pressure environment. The most suitable vehicle needed for their present situation will be brought to their home where they have the chance to try it out first hand. Options can be discussed with our specialist and the vehicle customised to best meet their needs. It is a free service and has no obligation attached to it.

It’s important to involve your partner, carer or whoever will be driving the WAV. They need to be happy with driving the vehicle and confident that they will be able to operate features such as the ramp and restraints.

Take along any equipment, mobility aids or child seats that you need the WAV to accommodate to ensure it fits all your needs. Try it over the type of routes you are likely to use or normally take, with anyone who is likely to travel with you. Don’t worry about how long this might take – Lewis Reed understands that the test drive needs to be thorough enough to enable you to decide whether the vehicle will meet your requirements.
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Now comes the exciting part – ordering your new WAV. On average, you could take delivery of your WAV between 12-16 weeks after placing your order. It can take considerably longer for the delivery of a WAV that has been converted for a wheelchair user to drive.

If you use the Motability scheme, the advance payment price of WAVs is often higher than regular cars. This is because the lease for a WAV is longer than for a standard car, and the vehicle itself costs more to convert. But don’t forget that servicing and maintenance costs, breakdown cover and insurance are all included as part of your Motability lease package. Remember that your new WAV will be an important part of your life for the next five years. Investing a little more upfront to get the perfect match for your needs will be well worth it, and much better than having to settle for five years in a vehicle that is not quite right.

If you need a WAV with an advance payment that you cannot afford, Motability may be able to help. Using the Government’s Specialised Vehicles Fund, Motability was able to help 1,400 customers to get a WAV last year. Call Motability’s Customer Services team on 0845 456 4566 for more information.
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When your WAV is delivered to you, it’s a good idea to have the friend, family member, carer or whoever will be using the WAV with you there as well. That way you can both familiarise yourself with the features of your new WAV with guidance from the WAV specialist.
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If you are unsure how to use some of the aspects of the WAVs conversion or are generally having trouble, call a Lewis Reed Sales Advisor. They will be able to advise you on how to use the features of your WAV correctly so that you can get the most out of it.

Click here to read more information on insurance

The conversion of a standard motor car into a vehicle with enough space to carry a passenger travelling in his wheelchair may involve the following:

•Removing the original rear floor
•Changing the exhaust system
•Moving brake lines
•Changing the fuel tank
•Wiring in new electrics
•Adding a ramp or lift
•Removing the original seats and fitting new tested rear seats.
•Changing the position of previously tested seatbelts
•Fitting a wheelchair security system
•Fitting a seat belt for the wheelchair passenger