Mobility Cars – What is Drive from Wheelchair Vehicles?

Drive from wheelchair accessible vehicles are a type of wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) available on the Motability scheme. These vehicles are specially converted to allow a wheelchair user to drive. They’re truly bespoke vehicles and are designed to meet each drivers’ individual needs. They range from having simple hand controls to more complex adaptations to allow the wheelchair user to drive. DFW vehicles give people independence who are unable to transfer out of their wheelchair. We also do drive from a wheelchair for private customers as well as Motability.

There are 2 ways in which it is possible to drive the vehicle:

• Straight from your wheelchair which should be safely in place. This is called a drive from a wheelchair.
• You can move from your wheelchair into a normal or adapted drivers’ seat. This is called an internal transfer.

There are a few things to think about before deciding on what type you would like. There are a few things that you will need to consider it might help for you to write a checklist of what your needs are and what you may require the vehicle to do for you.

• You’ll need to work out the size, height and mass of your wheelchair as well as your height when sitting down in the wheelchair as this could change the kind of car that you require. You need to be comfortable so getting these measurements and numbers are very important.
• How many passengers will regularly travel with you and what equipment you may need to carry in the vehicle
• There are a limited number of vehicles available to choose from that can be converted to a drive from the wheelchair or internal transfer.
• There will be an assessment where everything will be measured so you don’t have to worry about getting all the right measurements yourself. They will also see if the DFW vehicle adaptation is best for you or to look at alternatives.

Is there an option if you can’t afford the deposit

Motability offer financial help towards the payment for disabled individuals or families that are on low income. There are some new rules that have been introduced there are specialised vehicle funds (SVF). This fund provides grants for the drive from wheelchair vehicles which are adapted to allow the disabled person to drive the vehicle instead of being a passenger. When you apply for the Motability grant, they will ask you to complete a financial valuation request form. If you meet the requirements for the grant from Motability, they will fund wheelchair accessible vehicles and any other driving adaptations if essential, these may include adjustable seating, push or pull accelerator and brakes or a steering aid.

At PB Conversions we like to give people the freedom they have been desperate for, it makes us proud to see people get there independence back. We hope that our blog has given you more information about DFW vehicles if you’re interested to find out more get in touch on 01525 850588 or visit our website our friendly team can’t wait to hear from you.