What do you call a vehicle that carries a wheelchair?
When it comes to searching for vehicles that can carry a wheelchair for sale – it’s quite often that if you’ve never purchased a wheelchair vehicle before you may be unsure what to search for. What do you call it… is it a wheelchair car, a mobility car, a disabled car a WAV, or even a WAC?
The answer of course is ‘all of the above’!
Oh and let’s answer the main question now.. what is the difference between A WAV and a WAC? The honest answer is nothing. WAV is short for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, while WAC is the same just using Car instead of Vehicle.
You could argue that WAC’s are converted from stnadrd cars like the Kia Soul, Sedona or Ford Galaxy – while WAV’s are more Van like vehicles like a Ford Tourneo or Mercedes Vito. We think WAV is the most common and flexible name as it covers all types of vehicle rather than just be limited to one!
Generally people tend to call them either “wheelchair accessible vehicle” (which in itself has variations such as swapping out the accessible for adapted) or increasingly common is to use the acronym – WAV. If you’re searching online, different terms might yield you slightly variable results, but if you are phoning and speaking to garages just use the terms that feel natural to you.. they’ll know what you are talking about.
Different terms for wheelchair vehicles
We’ve compiled some of the more common wheechair vehicle terms…
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle
Currently the most common name for vehicles which can carry a wheelchair.
Variations: wheelchair access vehicle, wheelchair adapted vehicle, wheelchair converted vehicle, wheelchair car
WAV
Acronym for Wheelchair Acessible Vehicle, WAV is one of the more popular terms to describe a vehicle which can transport a wheelchair.
Variations: WAC (see below), wav vehicle
WAC
A less common term used to describe a wheelchair vehicle. It’s an acronym for Wheelchair Accessible Car
DAC & DAV
An uncommon way to describe a wheelchair vehicle these acronyms stand for
Disabled Access Car
Disabled Access Vehicle
HAC & HAV
We haven’t come across this acronym much but it does occasionally appear and stands for
Handicapped accessible car or Handicapped accessible vehicle
Mobility car
One of a few phrases/names that is used inter-chnageably with Motability*. Mobility cars are not just limited to wheelchairs and are also used by some to describe vehicles that carry a mobility scooter or have easy access for people with varying ability. They can also (albeit rarely) be used to describe larger mobility scooters with a hood/roof.
Variations: Motability car, mobility scooter (see below)
Disabled car
The term ‘Disabled car’ is used quite frequently and can be used to describe not only wheelchair vehicles but also mobility vehicles. Quite often wheelchair users who drive the vehicle themselves may search for a disabled car
Variations: adapted car, accessibile car, drive from wheelchair car (see below)
Disabled van
The term ‘Disabled van‘ is more commonly used in the United States, but is used ocassionaly in the UK when refering to the larger multi-seat vehicles. A van or minivan might refer to obvious van style vehicles like a Vauxhall Vivaro or Citroen Space Tourer but can also include mid size vehicles such as VW Caddy’s or Ford Connect wheelchair vehicles.
Whichever type of wheelchair accessible vehicle you are looking for. Wavs GB can help.
We keep a stock of low-mileage high quality WAVs in stock for all budgets and all requirements.
wheelchair accessible vehicles for sale
*Motability meaning – Motability is a Scheme which helps disabled people, their families and their carers to lease cars, scooters and powered wheelchairs using disability benefit.
