WAV stands for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle. This means you can travel in the vehicle while seat in your wheelchair

Drive From Wheelchair Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (DFW)

These make it possible to stay in your wheelchair while you drive. They’re large vehicles that are specially adapted for you. They’re more expensive than passenger Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles and take a long time to make, but they offer great independence.

What is a DFW?

A DFW is a specially converted vehicle which, unlike a standard Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, lets you drive while staying in your wheelchair.

How is it different from a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle?

They’re bespoke vehicles with more adaptations than a standard Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.

Because they’re complex, they’re more expensive than a car or passenger Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle and can take a long time to make. They also tend to be larger than any other Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.

There are usually a small amount of pre-adapted Nearly New Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles in stock, which are more affordable, but most new DFWs have a large Advance Payment.

Your Advance Payment doesn’t include the cost of any adaptations, so if you need to add adaptations, for example, you'll need to consider these costs before you order.

If you're not sure whether this is the best option for you, use our tool to help you decide.

At a glance

  • Drive directly from your wheelchair
  • Enjoy the independence that comes with driving yourself
  • They’re large, so they have lots of space
  • The Advance Payment is £20,000 or more
  • They can take a long time to make

Your driving options

Drive from your wheelchair, from £20,000

If you cannot transfer into a seat, a Drive From Wheelchair (DFW) lets you drive directly from your wheelchair, which is safely secured with tie-downs.

A person driving a Drive From Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle

Transfer into a seat, from £17,250

If you’re able to transfer into a seat, an Internal Transfer (IT) is a large Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle that’s specially adapted so you can ride your wheelchair up to the passenger seat, then transfer into the driver’s seat.

A person at the steering wheel of a Drive From Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle

Our team of specialists

Your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle supplier

They’ll convert a standard vehicle into a DFW or IT. There are lots of different suppliers across the country, and all of them offer a nationwide service.

What does the supplier do?

They’re your main point of contact. They’ll:

  • Arrange home demonstrations and help you choose the right vehicle
  • Give you expert advice on the best layout and design for your needs
  • Discuss Nearly New DFWs
  • Order for you
  • Convert the vehicle into a DFW or an IT
  • Update you regularly on your conversion
  • Complete safety testing and quality control

Once they’ve converted it, it goes to the adaptations installer. The supplier will let you know when this happens.

Your adaptations installer

They’ll fit the driving controls and any other adaptations. It can take between four and 20 weeks, depending on how complex they are.

What does the installer do?

Once the vehicle arrives with them, they’ll call you to arrange a fitting, so they can make sure it meets your needs.

They might try a few different adaptations, depending on your driving position and how far you can reach from this position.

It’s important you take your time. Bring any equipment you normally travel with, like extra wheelchairs, to make sure everything fits. We recommend you take some winter clothing too, to make sure you can reach everything with extra layers on.

After they’re fitted, they’ll invite you for a final fitting and a road test. This helps them check all the adaptations are positioned correctly and you're comfortable driving with them. Then the installer will arrange delivery for you.

The Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle supplier will support you throughout your lease too. They’ll arrange any servicing, maintenance and repairs as part of your package. They’ll also complete a yearly check (called an Annual Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle check or AWC) to make sure the converted parts of your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle are working correctly.

Grants

How to apply

If you cannot afford the right mobility solution to meet your needs, Motability Foundation might be able to offer financial help.

To make the best use of their charitable funds, Motability Foundation award grants based on your mobility needs, not wants. They will not consider the manufacturer or fuel type you prefer.

Visit the Motability Foundation website(opens in a new window) to find out how to apply.

What is a driving assessment?

It’s a key part of ordering a DFW. It’s to understand your vehicle access, loading and driving needs. We’ll ask you to do some tests to establish your strength, range of movement and visual ability, which helps us identify the kinds of driving adaptations you might need.

We’ll call you to ask you about things like the size of your wheelchair and your upper body strength. Then an assessor will bring the DFW to your home.

The assessor will also look at whether you can access the demonstration vehicle, find a good driving position, safely secure the wheelchair and reach and operate the controls.

You’ll usually agree on adaptations by the end of your first appointment. Sometimes, you might need a second visit.

If you're paying for the DFW yourself your supplier will usually do this assessment for you, but you can also get independent advice from a mobility assessment company like Driving Mobility.

What else can I get?

Passenger Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

If you want help getting around, these make it safe and easy to travel with your wheelchair. You can drive or ride in them, or store your wheelchair. A supplier will bring one to your home so you can make sure it’s right for you.

Nearly New Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

These are Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles people have given back to us after they’ve ended their lease early, so they’ll be up to four years old. They’re all in very good condition, they cost less and we can still adapt them to suit your needs.

Speak to a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle supplier

You can start applying online, from the comfort of your home. Then speak to a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle supplier and they’ll arrange a home demonstration for you.

Find a supplier

What you’ll get in our worry‑free package

Insurance cover

Insurance cover

We’ll arrange this for you. You can add up to three named drivers and can change these at any time.

Servicing

Servicing and MOT

We’ll cover your regular services and routine repairs, to keep your vehicle running perfectly.

Breakdown cover

Breakdown cover

We’ll give you RAC cover, so you can travel with peace of mind.

Support

Continued support

Call your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle supplier and they’ll be happy to help.