5 Tips For Your First Time Hiring A WAV With ORA
Are you hiring a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) for the first time? How exciting! Whether you’re just booking in a temporary replacement while your own WAV is being repaired or you’re planning your travels for a holiday or special occasion, WAV hire can open up your world in so many new and incredible ways.
That said, we know that for lots of people, the idea of trying a new form of transport may feel a little bit daunting at first – especially if you haven’t used a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle before. Here at Open Road Access, we go above and beyond to make the whole experience with us a positive one, so today we’re sharing 5 tips and tricks for your first time hiring a WAV.
1. Plan Your Trip/Logistics In Advance
When you make your booking, you’ll be asked for the dates and times you’d like your rental WAV to be with you, and the best address for it to be dropped off and collected from. You’ll likely already have a rough idea of your plans, but it can be helpful to sit down with a nice hot beverage of your choice and go through your itinerary before you begin your booking.
Also Read: WAV Hire In London: Everything You Need To Know
If you’ve never used or rented a WAV before, you may want to consider leaving yourself extra time to get used to the set-up before your journey or plans begin. You’ll have a thorough demonstration of the vehicle and how it all works when it’s delivered to you, but even just giving yourself an extra hour or two before you get going can be wonderful for giving yourself some peace of mind ahead of your travels.
2. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Questions
Whether it’s during your initial booking experience or when the WAV arrives, the Open Road Access Team is here to help. The people at the other end of the phone or email are experts in all things WAV hire, and as you make your booking, they will run through your requirements and access needs. Similarly, when your WAV is dropped off, a team member will show you around the vehicle and walk you through everything you need to know.
Even though you’ll be thoroughly briefed before you make yourself comfortable in the driver’s or passenger seat, there may still be questions on your mind. The important thing to say here is that no question is a silly question. If you have any uncertainties at any point, whether that’s before your booking or during the hire period, please don’t be afraid to reach out and ask. You can also find answers to many frequently asked questions on our FAQ page!
3. Make Sure Your Wheelchair Is Travel-Ready
We all have different wheelchairs and access needs, and the type of wheelchair or powerchair we have can influence the best choice of WAV for us. If you use various types of mobility aids, you will already have an idea of the most suitable wheelchair for the trip(s) you have planned in your rented WAV – but it can be helpful to take a moment to make sure they’re travel-ready.
Open Road Access offers small, medium, and large WAVs, and the fleet includes vehicles like the Ford Connect, Renault Trafic, Peugeot Horizon and Ford Custom. Don’t worry – you don’t have to be an expert on all things mechanical to successfully hire a WAV. Instead, you just need to ensure your wheelchair is in good condition and that you have the measurements for your chair to hand while booking. It’s also a good idea to make sure there’s a safe or suitable place where the vehicle’s restraints can be attached to your chair during your journey. You can find a closer look at the inside of a rental WAV in this video!
4. Be Prepared For Any Accidents Or Incidents
Though it’s unlikely you’ll encounter any accidents or incidents during your hire period, it’s a good idea to read up on what to do in this scenario before your travel, just so you’re prepared. One of the huge benefits of hiring a WAV through Open Road Access is that all rentals include a comprehensive package with breakdown cover and insurance, meaning that you don’t have to take on the admin of organising these things for yourself.
Also Read: WAV Hire In Manchester: Everything You Need To Know
If an accident does occur during your hire period, the Open Road Access team are here to help and will be your first point of contact for all things vehicle-related. There will be an accident form in the glove box of your vehicle, and you should call the team as soon as possible so they can support you. You can find more information on what to do in the event of an incident or accident in these FAQs.
5. Make The Most Of Your Hire Period!
Even if you’ve just arranged short-term WAV hire for a specific occasion, quite frankly it would be rude not to make the most of having an incredible accessible vehicle at your disposal – so take this right here as your sign to plan in some wonderful accessible adventures along the way.
Perhaps there’s a town or city you’ve always wanted to visit that isn’t easily reachable on public transport, or a friend or relative you’ve been meaning to visit for a cuppa and a catch-up. You’re free to use your WAV however you like within your hire period, so go wild and live your very best life… and if you’re in need of some travel or lifestyle inspo, check out some of Open Road Access’ customer stories here!
No matter what brought you to Open Road Access, we hope your first experience of hiring a WAV with us is a wonderful one. Ready to make your booking? Get started here!
.
Follow Us
Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RSUdTXfbeYSmCU9A7
Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/openroadaccess/
Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/openroadaccess/
LinkedIn Link: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/open-road-access/
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/@OpenRoadAccess
