As summer approaches – we’ll all be hoping for some good weather to let us all have a staycation – whether it be a city break, a weekend at the seaside or touring a part of the country you or your family haven’t visited before.
When you have a member of the family who uses a wheelchair (or mobility scooter), something as simple as having a weekend away can raise a few additional hurdles that you may not be used to… among them is how to fit a wheelchair into your car and transport a passenger that needs to use a wheelchair.
The answer is a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) – these are vehicles which can be used to transport a wheelchair user easily. The passenger can remain in the wheelchair and the wheelchair is boarded onto the vehicle via a simple to use ramp (or lift for larger vehicles)
If a member of your immediate family uses a wheelchair the chances are that you have your own wheelchair accessible vehicle or have used one before. However if you are taking your extended family member away with you or even a friend – then you may not have your own WAV and will need to hire one.
Hiring a wheelchair accesible vehicle for a holiday
If you need a wheelchair accessible vehicle for a UK staycation or you are coming to the UK for a holiday and need a WAV we can hire you a suitable vehicle whatever your needs.
Like cars, wheechair accessible vehicles come in various shapes and sizes. The smallest WAVs typically have two or three passenger seats with room for the wheelchair in the rear. The larger WAVs have five or six seats (sometimes more). When using for a holiday many people tend to hire a larger WAV so that there is room for there luggage – bear in mind instead of boot – these vehicles have a ramp. Luggage will generally need to be placed to the side of, or behind the wheelchair passenger.
Some WAVs have the wheelchair passenger at the front of the vehicle; sat next to the driver. These types of WAVs are ideal if the wheelchair user is a parent, partner or even grandparent who doeesn’t like sitting in the back. The other benefit of an ‘up-front wheelchair’ vehicle is that the ramp is located o the side so there is still a boot.
Are WAVs difficult to drive?
If you’ve never driven a Wheelchair accessible evhcile before you may have worries about how you’ll be able to drive it. Generally speaking driving a WAV is no different to driving a regular car or in some cases a van. The controls are all the same (although the majority of WAVs are automatic), the only things you need to think differently about is that some WAVs are slightly longer (think estate car length) or slightly higher (think small van).
Boarding a wheelchair user into the vehicle is simple, it’s just lowering the ramp and securing the wheelchair in place. Ocassionally there may be a winch, but these are simple to use and we’ll show you how to boards and secure a wheelchair before you drive away.
There are plenty of options when it comes to the wheelchair vehicle itself and you should be able to find one that meets your requirements.
WavsGB offers full wheelchair accessible vehicle hire for holiday travellers.
Holiday Wheelchair Vehicle hire
Hire customers please note:
Hiring for less than 7 days? The vehicle must be collected and returned to our offices near Bath (BA2 9HN).
Hiring for more than 7 days? Delivery & Collection is available but there is a charge.
Please see our WAV hire page for further details.
Terms & Conditions apply and hire is subject to status.
