One of the first questions people ask when looking for a wheelchair accessible vehicle is: how much does WAV hire cost?
There is no single price that applies to every journey. The cost depends on what type of accessible vehicle you need, how long you need it for and, for short-term rentals, where the vehicle needs to be delivered and collected.
It also depends on whether you need a vehicle for a few days or weeks, or for several months or years. At ORA, short-term rental and longer-term subscriptions are priced differently, so it is useful to understand the distinction.
How much does WAV hire cost?
For short-term WAV rental, the main factors affecting the price are:
- how long you need the vehicle
- the type of accessible vehicle you need
- where the vehicle needs to be delivered and collected
Insurance for one driver and breakdown cover are included as standard, and there are no mileage limits on ORA short-term rentals.
For longer-term accessible vehicle subscriptions, pricing works differently. The main factors are:
- the minimum subscription term you choose
- the type of accessible vehicle you need
Delivery and collection are charged once at the start of the subscription at £250.
Let’s look at each of those factors in more detail.
1. How long you need the vehicle
The length of time you need accessible transport is one of the biggest factors in determining which type of hire, and therefore which pricing structure, is most appropriate.
If you need a vehicle for a holiday, family event, temporary trip or a few weeks, short-term rental may be the most suitable option.
If you expect to need an accessible vehicle for several months or longer, ORA also offers 3, 6 and 12-month subscriptions, as well as 2 and 5-year terms.
Subscription pricing is not simply the daily rental rate multiplied by the number of days. It is a separate longer-term product, with the monthly price influenced by the minimum term you choose.
Generally, this means it is worth telling the ORA team how long you realistically expect to need the vehicle rather than simply asking for a daily price.
2. The type of WAV or accessible vehicle you need
Not every wheelchair user needs the same type of vehicle.
For ORA’s short-term rentals, WAVs designed for one wheelchair user are priced at the same base rental rate, regardless of which one-wheelchair WAV is most suitable for you.
The price can increase if you need a more specialist or higher-capacity vehicle, such as:
- a vehicle with space for more than one wheelchair
- an accessible minibus
- an internal-transfer vehicle
This is why understanding your requirements comes before choosing a vehicle.
The ORA team may ask about the wheelchair you use, how many passengers need to travel, whether the wheelchair user will remain in their wheelchair during the journey and any equipment that needs to come with you.
The aim is to find a vehicle that fits your needs rather than simply putting you into the smallest or cheapest vehicle available.
3. Where the vehicle needs to be delivered and collected
For short-term rentals, delivery and collection location can affect the overall cost.
ORA provides accessible vehicle hire across the UK, so the logistics involved in getting the vehicle to you — and collecting it again afterwards — form part of the quote.
This means two customers hiring the same type of WAV for the same number of days could receive different overall quotes if the delivery and collection requirements are different.
When requesting a quote, providing your postcode and rental dates from the start will help the team give you a more accurate price.
What about delivery on a subscription?
For an ORA subscription, delivery and collection work differently.
There is a one-off £250 delivery and collection charge, paid at the start of the subscription, rather than delivery costs being calculated in the same way as a short-term rental.
4. Do you pay more for mileage when hiring a WAV?
With ORA short-term rentals, there is no mileage limit.
That can be particularly useful if you are hiring a WAV for a holiday, longer journey or period where you are not sure exactly how far you will travel.
Longer-term subscriptions work differently. They include 800 miles per month as standard, with additional mileage options available if you expect to drive further.
If you are considering a subscription, it is therefore worth estimating your usual monthly mileage when discussing your requirements with the team.
5. Is insurance included in WAV hire?
Yes. With ORA short-term rental, insurance for one driver is included as standard, along with breakdown cover.
That is important when comparing WAV hire prices because a headline daily rate does not always tell you everything that is included.
For longer-term ORA subscriptions, insurance for two drivers, routine servicing and maintenance, and breakdown cover are included as standard.
When comparing accessible vehicle hire options, look at the total package rather than just the advertised vehicle price.
6. What if I need something other than a standard WAV?
Searching for a WAV does not necessarily mean a conventional wheelchair accessible vehicle will be the best solution for you.
Some wheelchair users travel in their wheelchair throughout the journey. Others can transfer into a standard passenger seat and may be better suited to a different type of vehicle.
Depending on your requirements, ORA can also look at options such as:
- standard cars with wheelchair hoists
- adapted cars
- vehicles with driving adaptations
- internal-transfer vehicles
- vehicles with multiple wheelchair spaces
- accessible minibuses
- other driver-support features where appropriate
The type of vehicle required can affect the price, particularly where a more specialist configuration is needed.
If you are unsure what to ask for, you do not need to identify a specific make or model before contacting ORA. Tell the team how you need to travel, and they can help work out which vehicle options may suit you.
Short-term WAV rental vs accessible vehicle subscription
The easiest way to think about the difference is that they solve different types of need.
Short-term rental may make sense if you need accessible transport for a defined period such as a few days, a holiday or several weeks. The price is influenced by the length of the rental, vehicle type and delivery and collection requirements.
A subscription may be more appropriate if you need regular access to an accessible vehicle for several months or years. The monthly cost is primarily influenced by the type of accessible vehicle and the minimum term you choose, with delivery and collection charged once at the start.
For example, someone waiting for a Motability vehicle might choose a shorter subscription term, while someone who wants long-term access to an accessible vehicle without owning it could consider a 2- or 5-year subscription.
If the Motability or privately purchased vehicle you are waiting for arrives before your minimum subscription term ends, ORA does not charge an early return penalty, subject to proof of delivery.
Also Read: Short-Term vs Long-Term Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Hire
Why can two WAV hire quotes be different?
Two customers may both ask to “hire a WAV” but have very different requirements.
One might need a one-wheelchair WAV delivered locally for a weekend.
Another might need a larger vehicle with multiple wheelchair spaces delivered across the country for several weeks.
A third person might need an adapted car for 12 months rather than a WAV at all.
That is why an accurate accessible vehicle hire quote starts with understanding how you need to travel, not simply how many days you need a car.
How can I get an accurate WAV hire price?
To get a useful quote, it helps to have the following information ready:
- your rental or subscription dates
- your delivery and collection location
- the number of people travelling
- how many wheelchair users will be travelling
- the type and approximate size of the wheelchair
- whether the wheelchair user will remain in their wheelchair or transfer into a passenger seat
- who will be driving
- any specific adaptations or equipment you need
- for a subscription, approximately how many miles you expect to travel each month
Don’t worry if you do not know exactly which vehicle you need. That is something the ORA team can help you work through.
Get a price for accessible vehicle hire
The cost of accessible vehicle hire depends on your circumstances, but getting a quote should not require you to already know exactly which vehicle you need.
Tell ORA who needs to travel, how you need to travel, where you need the vehicle and for how long.
The team can then help identify a suitable accessible vehicle and explain the rental or subscription costs that apply to your requirements.
Get in touch with ORA for an accessible vehicle hire quote.
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