17/02/2025
Planning a holiday or need a vehicle for daily life but are concerned about travelling with a disability or reduced mobility? It can often feel like a significant hurdle, but with the right support and vehicle options, your travel plans don't have to be compromised. Allied Mobility specialises in providing a range of wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) and adapted hire cars designed to ensure you can drive or travel in safety, comfort, and with complete peace of mind. We understand that everyone's needs are unique, which is why we offer a diverse selection of vehicles, from compact hatchbacks to larger saloons and multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs), ensuring ample space for passengers and any necessary equipment.
Our commitment is to make accessible transport as straightforward and stress-free as possible, allowing you to focus on enjoying your journey, whether it's a short trip to the shops or an extended holiday adventure.
Understanding Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs)
Wheelchair accessible vehicles are specifically designed or converted to allow individuals to travel in their wheelchair without the need to transfer to a standard vehicle seat. This is a crucial feature for many, offering significant benefits in terms of comfort, convenience, and dignity. By eliminating the need for transfers, WAVs reduce the physical strain and potential risks associated with moving between a wheelchair and a car seat, making journeys much more pleasant and accessible for everyone involved.
The key features that make WAVs so beneficial include:
- Lightweight Ramps and Tail Lifts: Many WAVs are equipped with either lightweight manual ramps or powered tail lifts. Ramps provide a gradual incline for easy entry, while tail lifts offer a powered platform for effortless lifting of the wheelchair into the vehicle.
- Lowered Vehicle Floors: To ensure a gentle and safe entry angle, the rear floor of the vehicle is often lowered. This creates a low ramp gradient, making it easier for both manual and powered wheelchairs to enter and exit the vehicle.
- Electric Winch Systems: For powered wheelchairs or individuals who require additional assistance, an electric winch system can be installed. This winch gently pulls the wheelchair into the vehicle, further reducing physical effort.
- Securement Systems: Safety is paramount. WAVs feature a robust four-point wheelchair secure system, typically using locking clamps that attach to the wheelchair's frame. Alongside this, a specialised, often longer, seatbelt is provided for the wheelchair user, ensuring they are safely restrained during the journey.
- Comfort and Convenience Features: Beyond accessibility, our WAVs are equipped with modern amenities such as Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calls and music, efficient air conditioning to maintain a comfortable cabin temperature, and sometimes even entertainment systems for longer journeys.
Choosing a WAV means choosing independence and the freedom to travel without the worry of complex transfers or inaccessible vehicle designs. You can travel with confidence, knowing that your wheelchair is securely stowed and that you can remain comfortably seated throughout your trip.
Exploring Adapted Hire Cars
For those who can drive but require assistance with the physical act of operating a standard vehicle due to reduced mobility or strength in their arms or legs, our adapted hire cars are the perfect solution. Driving a conventional hire car can be challenging, if not impossible, without the right modifications. Our adapted vehicle hire service focuses on providing vehicles equipped with a range of driving aids tailored to individual needs.
The adaptations available can significantly enhance your driving experience and include:
- Push-Pull Brake and Accelerator Controls: These classic adaptations allow the driver to operate both the brake and accelerator using a single lever system. Pushing the lever away from you usually operates the brake, while pulling it towards you operates the accelerator.
- Steering Aids: For individuals with limited hand strength or dexterity, steering aids are invaluable. A popular option is the steering spinner, also known as a spinner knob, which attaches to the steering wheel, allowing for easier one-handed control and smoother manoeuvring, especially at lower speeds or during parking.
- Wireless Keypad Controls: Modern technology offers sophisticated solutions like wireless keypad controls. These systems can manage various vehicle functions, such as indicators, lights, wipers, and horn, through a user-friendly keypad, often positioned conveniently on the dashboard or steering column. This minimises the need to reach for various controls.
- Swivel Seats: While not strictly a driving adaptation, swivel seats greatly improve access to the driver's or passenger's seat. These seats can be rotated outwards towards the door, allowing for easier and safer transfer into and out of the vehicle, particularly for those with mobility issues.
Our experienced mobility advisors are dedicated to helping you navigate the choices. They will engage in a thorough discussion about your specific requirements, preferences, and any physical limitations you may have. This personalised consultation ensures that we can recommend and provide a vehicle with the most suitable adaptations for your needs, guaranteeing a comfortable and safe driving experience.
Hire Options and Support
We understand that accessibility needs can vary, which is why our vehicles are available for both short-term and long-term hire. Whether you need a vehicle for a weekend getaway, a few weeks of holiday, or a more extended period, we can accommodate your requirements. To make the process even more convenient, we offer flexible collection and delivery options. You can choose to collect your vehicle from our premises, or we can arrange for it to be delivered directly to your door across mainland UK. This doorstep delivery service is designed to remove any travel barriers you might face in reaching us.
Furthermore, we can assist with organising insurance for your hire period, simplifying the administrative process and ensuring you are covered. Upon collection or delivery, you will receive a comprehensive demonstration of your chosen vehicle. Our team will walk you through all the accessible features, adaptations, and controls, ensuring you feel completely confident and comfortable using them before you set off. This thorough handover process is vital for your safety and enjoyment.
Why Choose Allied Mobility?
- Expert Advice: Our mobility advisors possess extensive knowledge and experience in accessible vehicle solutions. They are committed to finding the best fit for your individual needs.
- Wide Selection: From compact, manoeuvrable cars to larger vehicles capable of accommodating multiple passengers and wheelchairs, our fleet offers diverse options.
- Flexibility: Short or long-term hire, delivery or collection – we tailor our services to your convenience.
- Safety and Comfort: All our vehicles are maintained to the highest standards and equipped with the latest accessibility features and safety equipment.
- Peace of Mind: Travel independently and with confidence, knowing you have a vehicle that meets your specific mobility requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Allied Mobility hire offer wheelchair accessible vehicles?
Yes, Allied Mobility offers a comprehensive range of wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) for hire. These vehicles are designed to allow individuals to travel comfortably and safely in their wheelchair without needing to transfer to a standard car seat.
What types of vehicles can I hire?
You can hire a variety of vehicle types, including small hatchback models, larger saloons, and multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs). The specific models available as WAVs or adapted cars can vary, but the aim is to provide options suitable for different group sizes and preferences.
What are the key features of a wheelchair accessible vehicle?
Key features typically include lightweight wheelchair ramps or tail lifts, lowered vehicle floors for a gentle entry gradient, electric winches to assist with entry, and a secure four-point system to safely hold the wheelchair in place. Many also include specialised seatbelts for the wheelchair user.
What kind of adaptations are available for drivers?
For drivers with reduced mobility, adaptations can include push-pull brake and accelerator controls, steering aids like steering spinners, wireless keypad controls for various functions, and swivel seats to aid entry and exit.
Can I hire a vehicle for a long period?
Yes, Allied Mobility offers both short-term and long-term hire options to suit your travel needs.
Do you offer delivery and collection?
Yes, vehicles can be collected from our premises or delivered to your door on mainland UK. We also offer a home demonstration service.
Getting Started
Choosing the right mobility vehicle can seem like a significant decision, especially with the wide array of options available for sale and hire. Sometimes, the best approach is to see and experience the vehicles firsthand. We strongly encourage you to arrange a free, no-obligation home demonstration. Simply contact our mobility advisors, and they will arrange for a local mobility consultant to visit you at a convenient time. This allows you to discuss your needs in detail and get a feel for the vehicles in your own environment.
If you need further information or wish to discuss your specific requirements, please do not hesitate to contact our friendly and knowledgeable mobility advisors. You can reach them by telephone on 0800 916 0042 or visit our website for more details on wheelchair access vehicle hire or adapted vehicle hire. We are here to help you find the perfect accessible vehicle solution for your next journey.
If you want to read more articles similar to Accessible Car Hire Explained, you can visit the Automotive category.