Have you been thinking about buying a wheelchair accessible vehicle, but aren’t sure which one is right for you? Or perhaps you don’t need a vehicle all the time, but would like to be able to use one now and then?
Wheelchair accessible vehicle rental could be the perfect solution for you.
Hiring a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) gives you the chance to try one before you commit to buying one for yourself – you could even hire a few times to help you decide which is best for you.
WAV hire is also available for those occasions when you need an accessible vehicle, but don’t have the space or necessity to own one yourself.
Can you hire a WAV (wheelchair accessible vehicle)?
Yes, you can hire a wheelchair accessible vehicle.
There are several different types of wheelchair accessible vehicles available to hire, including small, medium and large vehicles; cars for wheelchair drivers, and cars for wheelchair passengers.
The majority of WAVs available for hire will come with a ramp and restraint system, and some (but not all) will have a winch to offer additional assistance to wheelchair users. If you think you need a vehicle with a hoist, it’s best to check with the hire company you choose to find out if they have a vehicle available that meets all of your needs.
There are several reasons why you might hire a WAV, and the choice to hire your vehicle comes with plenty of benefits.
If you’re thinking about investing in your own WAV, then choosing to hire one before committing is a great way to help you decide whether or not to go ahead with the purchase, and which type you need if you do decide to buy.
Perhaps owning a WAV isn’t the right choice for you, but you’d like to use one for holidays, travelling, or special events. Hiring a WAV for these occasions is the perfect way to make sure you or your loved ones don’t miss out due to restricted accessibility.
Or perhaps you’re at a point in your life when additional accessibility has become a consideration: if you’re going through a period of recovery or rehabilitation, have several appointments coming up, or are using a wheelchair on a temporary basis, hiring your accessible vehicle means you can travel comfortably for as long as you need to.
How to rent a WAV
Step 1: Think about what you need
Do you need a winch? How will you get in and out of the car? How long do you need it for? Will you be the driver or someone else? What kind of wheelchair space do you need in the car?
You won’t necessarily need to decide on the specific vehicle you want to hire, as the accessible vehicle hire company you choose to go with will likely do this for you. They’ll take all of your needs into consideration and match you with a suitable vehicle.
Step 2: Research local companies
Find out which companies are offering WAV rental in your local area, and contact them with your wheelchair car hire enquiry to find out if they have accessible vehicle hire options that suit your needs. At this point, it’s also a good idea to find out what the requirements are for hiring a vehicle with that company. You will need a valid driving license to hire a mobility car, and often a second proof of address will be required as well.
Step 3: Give your requirements and dates to the company
Once you’ve decided which company to go with and what you need from your WAV, you can give the dates you need your mobility vehicle for and your specific requirements to the company.
Step 4: Your supplier finds a suitable vehicle
Once you’ve settled on your supplier and given them all the information they need, they’ll get started finding your perfect vehicle from the ones they have available.
Step 5: Pay the deposit
Most companies will require an advance payment to secure the rental at the time of booking. The remainder can be paid later – either when you collect the vehicle, or when it is returned, depending on the particular company.
Step 6: Collect your vehicle
The final step is to collect your vehicle on the first day of your hire period, or some companies will drop it off to your chosen location for an additional fee.
At Ransome Mobility Solutions, we offer delivery and collection on any WAV hire over seven days.
How much does it cost to rent a mobility car?
Accessible vehicle hire prices can vary depending on the types of wheelchair vehicles you might be looking to hire, and how long you need them for.
Some companies will charge more for larger WAVs for hire compared to a smaller one; others will have a daily hire rate that goes down the longer you continue the rental for.
In general, the cost of daily wheelchair accessible vehicle hire can start at around £70-£90 per day for a small WAV, increasing to £130-£150 for a large WAV. To hire a WAV for a week could set you back £300-£700, depending on the size of the vehicle.
For long term hire, the rate per day or per week will generally be reduced the longer you choose to rent the accessible vehicle for.
At Ransome Mobility, hiring a WAV from our range of wheelchair accessible vehicles starts at £85 per day, and can go down to as little as £35 per day for long term hire.
Hire a WAV with Ransome Mobility
At Ransome Mobility we have a range of vehicles available for short, medium or long term hire. Whether you are a driver or passenger, and you need a vehicle for hire for a day, a week, or even longer, we’re happy to assist you in finding your perfect wheelchair accessible vehicles.
You can find out more about our WAV fleet for hire, or why not call or email us today to find out how we can help you?