What to Know About Wheelchair-Accessible Vans and Other Vehicles

Expert advice on cost and considerations when looking to buy a mobility van

Brett Berk,

Updated June 09, 2026

AARP

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Updated June 09, 2026

a photo shows a woman in a wheelchair trying to get into a van

Wheelchair accessible vehicles are key to getting out and socializing for those with mobility issues.

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Key takeaways

It’s important to make sure the wheelchair-accessible vehicle you get is customized to your needs.
Wheelchair-accessible vehicles are expensive, but some organizations will help defray the cost.
It’s likely you’ll need training to use a wheelchair-accessible vehicle if you’re the driver.

Megan Wegner’s father, Tim, received a debilitating spinal cord injury in a farming accident at his home in Winamac, Indiana, that left him dependent on a wheelchair. Once he completed his rehabilitation, he started looking for ways to get around so he could do the things he loved, such as attending family members’ track meets and musicals, exploring American historical sites like Gettysburg or Yellowstone, and attending every Tom Petty concert within a 300-mile radius.

His solution: a wheelchair-accessible vehicle. Getting out and staying socially connected are important for staying healthy as a 50-plus adult. According to the National Institute on Aging, social isolation is associated with negative health outcomes for older adults. These risks increase for older adults with limited mobility, such as those who use a wheelchair or scooter.

“We understand that for a lot of people, it feels like your world starts to shrink when you realize, ‘I’m not able to stay connected to the people, the places I love,’ ” says Wegner. She also lives in Winamac, where she is associate director of brand and communications for BraunAbility, one of the largest customizers for wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

A wheelchair-accessible vehicle can be the answer, but you need to know exactly what you need and how to fund it.

an older adult woman is shown in a photo helping a man in a wheelchair use a ramp to enter a wheelchair accessible van

Once Megan Wegner’s father, Tim, completed his rehabilitation, he started looking for ways to get around so he could do the things he loved. His solution: a wheelchair accesible van.

BraunAbility

What is a wheelchair-accessible vehicle?

Wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) include features that allow a mobility aid, such as a scooter or wheelchair, to be driven directly into the vehicle. These vehicles are almost always minivans or SUVs, which provide the necessary ride height and broad enough openings for access.

“If you have a Ford Mustang convertible, you’re probably not going to be using that again,” says Amy Lane, an experienced occupational therapist and driver rehabilitation specialist. She also is the director of education and training for the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA).

These adapted vans and SUVs feature a lowered floor and power-operated “kneeling” system that allows the vehicle to crouch down so it’s easy to get roll devices in, a power-operated side or rear door, an extendable ramp and a latching system to keep the mobility device in place.

“Everything opens at the push of a button,” says Wegner. Other major manufacturers are Vantage Mobility and Rollx Vans.

Each person using a mobility aid has different needs and capabilities, requiring personalized solutions. “You have to match the person, their diagnosis, their functional impairments and what device they use, along with what they plan to transport and whether they’ll be a driver or a passenger,” says Lane.

A key question: Driver or passenger?

The first thing to think about, according to Wegner, is whether the person using the mobility aid is planning to be a driver or just a passenger.

If they’ll be strictly a passenger and the entrance to the van is on the side, the first row of seats remains unaltered. The wheelchair goes in place of the middle row of seats, which has a lowered floor for easy access. The third row is also unaltered. In a rear-entry vehicle, both rear-seat rows are typically removed and portions of the cargo floor are lowered.

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If the user plans on driving, a power-transfer driver’s seat can be installed. Such a seat can be moved back to the lowered middle area where the wheelchair enters and is stored, rotated to allow the user to slide from their wheelchair into the driver’s seat, and then powered back around and forward into the driving position.

Another option is a wheelchair docking system that takes the place of the driver’s seat. This arrangement locks the wheelchair securely in place, on a lowered floor, right behind the steering wheel. The user then straps in and drives directly from their wheelchair.

Ways to access the controls

If a user has lost or diminished use of some of their extremities, additional adaptations are available, Lane says.

If they’re not able to use their right leg, the accelerator pedal can be moved to the left of the brake. For those who can’t use their legs at all, a variety of hand controls can be added to operate the accelerator, brakes and steering. For those with limited upper-body strength or dexterity, a smaller-diameter steering wheel or a steering wheel that incorporates a rotating knob or cuff can be included.

Secondary controls like lights, turn signals and wipers can be engaged via switches or levers, moved to places the user can readily access them. For those who struggle to reach and/or attach seat belts, options include grip handles or hooks, or fixed seat belts that fasten right around the user’s device.

How to know what you need

To determine which adaptive equipment best suits a user’s specific needs and conditions, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends consulting a driver rehabilitation specialist. Qualified specialists can be found at the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists or the American Occupational Therapy Association.

The NHTSA also suggests that, prior to being evaluated and fitted for an adapted vehicle, the user consult with their doctor to ensure they’re in the best mental and physical condition for driving.

Get the required training

A driver rehabilitation specialist can also help determine what type of training and documentation a user will need to safely and legally operate their new adapted vehicle.

They might even need to undergo a re-licensing process, including retaking the driving skills test using the new equipment, Lane says. Such requirements vary by state, so check with a rehabilitation specialist and/or your local Department of Motor Vehicles to confirm local regulations.

The user’s car insurance may need to be adjusted to reflect the new equipment and any relevant licensing restrictions, Lane says. She also notes that if your vehicle was funded by a government or nonprofit, those organizations will often require users to be licensed to drive their modified vehicles before covering the cost.

Where to shop for an accessible vehicle

The NHTSA, Lane and Wegner all recommend purchasing the vehicle from a qualified retailer found through the NMEDA dealer locator. This will ensure that the vehicle has undergone independent testing and certification to meet national safety regulations.

They note that dealers can be a valuable resource in the customization and purchase process. “Mobility dealers are almost a hybrid between a retailer and a health care professional because they’re experienced in finding the right accommodations and adaptations to fit the wheelchair user,” says Wegner.

A driver rehabilitation specialist can review the package the dealer is putting together to make sure it suits the user’s needs.

The cost

According to Lane, adaptive driving systems — like hand controls or a left-foot gas pedal — can cost between $1,000 and $5,000. A new WAV will run between $80,000 and $100,000, including the approximately $40,000 base price of an average new minivan. (This pricing is validated by NHTSA estimates.)

Pre-owned vehicles are less expensive, but can require significant updates to meet an individual user’s needs.

Lane recommends figuring out the funding in advance. “If you can’t find the funding, what good is doing a driving evaluation and training?” she asks.

There are organizations that may help defray the cost. Both the NHTSA and Lane suggest checking your state’s department of vocational rehabilitation or whatever agency helps individuals with disabilities secure and retain services (this varies by state).

They also recommend asking the user’s auto insurance company and/or the Department of Veterans Affairs, which may have additional resources for people whose disabilities can be traced to their military service.

Nonprofits working in the adapted mobility space — including Bridge to Mobility, the Chive Charities and the National Organization for Vehicle Accessibility — may provide grants. In addition, many automakers whose vehicles are adapted for wheelchair accessibility — including General Motors, Chrysler and Toyota — may offer rebates. Mobility dealers will have additional information on available funding and financing options.

To protect your investment and get alerted about any potential recalls, the NHTSA recommends submitting warranty cards for any modified equipment and following all recommended maintenance schedules. While you can have general vehicle service done at any trusted repair shop, a specialized wheelchair-accessible mobility repair center should be used for maintenance on the custom systems to ensure optimal operation.

In fact, many WAV dealers now offer service for both the underlying vehicle and the modifications. “So they’re a one-stop shop,” Wegner says.

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Brett Berk is a contributing writer who covers autos. His work appears regularly in Architectural Digest, Business Insider, GQ, The New York Times and Vanity Fair.