What is an Up Front Wheelchair vehicle?

Disability cars which allow the wheelchair up-front

When many people think of a wheelchair accessible vehicle they imagine the wheelchair being loaded into the back of the vehicle, with the wheelchair and passenger being sat behind or with the rear seats… and although this is undoubtedly the most common way it’s not the only way, there are many variations.

Most standard mobility cars allow you to load the wheelchair in via the rear using either ramp, a ramp and winch or a lift. Once on board the wheelchair user will normally sit alongside the rear seated passengers or just behind them. However there is another way.

As the name suggests an ‘Up Front’ passenger WAV allows the wheelchair passenger to ride in the front alongside the driver (you can also get ‘Drive from’ where the wheelchair user is the driver).

What are the benefits of an Up-Front WAV

Most of the benefits of an Up-Front WAV are for the wheelchair user.
An Up-Front Passenger WAV, sometimes called a ‘Wheelchair in-front’ WAV allows the passenger to sit alongside the driver, this is much better for couples and can help to prevent the wheelchair user from feeling a bit isolated in the back.

Even when the wheelchair user is part of family, if not everyone is riding in the car the wheelchair user can sometimes feel a bit separated if they are in the back.

If the wheelchair user has a specific condition then it may be easier for them to be monitored if they are sitting in the front.

A key thing to remember with ride in-front wheelchair cars is that if the wheelchair user is not present, then as there is no seat (only the space for the wheelchair) all passengers will have to sit in the back.

Loading a wheelchair into a ride up-front mobility car

There are a number of different way to get the wheelchair on board a vehicle in front, all depending on the type of vehicle and the company which carried out the conversion.

Some wheelchair up-front adapted cars like the Fiat Multipla are loaded via a ramp at the rear like a standard wheelchair access vehicle. The rear seats fold up and out of the way to enable the wheelchair to move right to the front of the vehicle and are then secured.

Loading a wheelchair via the front passenger door

Alternatively ride up-front wheelchair cars can also be loaded via the passenger door.
Wheelchair accessible vehicles like the Fiat Doblo offer easy loading via the passenger door.

When the door is opened a platform swivels around and either a powered or manual ramp attached to the platform is then lowered to allow access – once on board the door is shut – the wheelchair and passenger are swivel back into place. It’s very simple and easy and you can see it in action below.

This method is popular as it means the rear of the car doesn’t need to be converted and the rear passenger seats and boot can stay in place without having to be removed or folded away.

Buying an up-front passenger disability vehicle

At WavsGB we offer a range of disability vehicles with up-front seating for the wheelchair passenger. If you’re not sure what you need, have a browse of the cars on our website, give us a call or pay us a visit and have a look for yourself.

We offer test drives, home demonstrations and you can even ‘try before you buy’ – so you can be sure when you’ve chosen a vehicle that it’s the right one for you.

WavsGB is a specialist RAC approved disability car dealer. Offering a range of cars adapted for carry wheelchairs.
Why not browse all our wheelchair accessible vehicles for sale