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 WAVWheelchair Accessible Vehicles and take a long time to make, but they offer great independence.
A DFW is a specially converted vehicle which, unlike a standard WAVWheelchair Accessible Vehicle, lets you drive while staying in your wheelchair.
So you know, you might hear these called 'Complex Driving Solutions' or 'Independent Driving Solutions'.
They’re bespoke vehicles with more adaptations than a standard WAVWheelchair Accessible Vehicle.
Because they’re complex, they’re more expensive than a car or passenger WAVWheelchair Accessible Vehicle and can take a long time to make. They also tend to be larger than any other WAVWheelchair Accessible Vehicle.
There are usually a small amount of pre-adapted Nearly New WAVWheelchair 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, .
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.
If you’re able to transfer into a seat, an Internal Transfer (IT) is a large WAVWheelchair Accessible Vehicle that’s specially adapted so you can ride your wheelchair up to the passenger seat, then transfer into the driver’s seat.
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.
They’re your main point of contact. They’ll:
Once they’ve converted it, it goes to the adaptations installer. The supplier will let you know when this happens.
They’ll fit the driving controls and any other adaptations. It can take between four and 20 weeks, depending on how complex they are.
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 WAVWheelchair 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 WAVWheelchair Accessible Vehicle check or AWC) to make sure the converted parts of your WAVWheelchair Accessible Vehicle are working correctly.
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.
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(opens in a new window).
