Finding the right wheelchair accessible vehicle hire in Birmingham can be the difference between staying home and getting on with life. Whether you need accessible transport hire for a single hospital appointment, a wheelchair van hire for a family holiday, or a longer-term mobility car hire arrangement, Open Road Access (ORA) delivers wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) and adapted cars straight to your door across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.
A wheelchair accessible vehicle hire in Birmingham means renting a vehicle that lets you travel while remaining in your wheelchair, or a car adapted with hand controls if you plan to drive yourself. Either way, there is no need to visit a depot. You book, we deliver, we collect. That is the whole process.
What is a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle
A wheelchair accessible vehicle, often shortened to WAV, is a vehicle built or converted so a wheelchair user can travel without transferring out of their chair. A ramp or lift allows entry, and the wheelchair is then secured using a restraint system for the journey. This is different from a disabled car rental fitted with driving controls, where the wheelchair user is the driver rather than a passenger.
For many families in Birmingham, a WAV booking solves a problem that ordinary mobility car hire cannot. Standard vehicles rarely have the internal height, ramp access, or restraint points needed for a wheelchair user to travel safely and comfortably. Our accessible people carrier range is built specifically to solve this, with small, medium, and large WAVs available depending on wheelchair size and passenger numbers.
If you are searching for a wheelchair taxi alternative for regular appointments, or a one-off accessible transport hire for a wedding or holiday, a WAV gives you control over your own schedule instead of relying on someone else’s timetable.
Also Read: WAV Hire In London | Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Hire
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Delivery Areas in Birmingham
We deliver wheelchair accessible vehicle hire across the whole of Birmingham and the surrounding West Midlands, including:
- Birmingham city centre
- Edgbaston and Harborne
- Selly Oak and Bournville
- Erdington and Sutton Coldfield
- Handsworth and Perry Barr
- Solihull and Shirley
- Kings Heath and Moseley
- Northfield and Longbridge
Delivery and collection are included in every hire, whether you are booking a WAV for a hospital run near the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, a family day out at the Bullring, or a longer trip further afield. If your address falls just outside these areas, get in touch anyway. We cover most of the West Midlands, and our team can confirm availability for your postcode.
Daily vs Weekly Wheelchair Vehicle Rental Costs
Wheelchair accessible vehicle hire in Birmingham is priced by length of hire, and we offer two main routes depending on how long you need the vehicle for. Short-term hire starts from £75 per day, and covers anything from a single day up to eight weeks. This suits a one-off appointment, a short break, or a temporary need while another vehicle is off the road. Daily rates typically work out lower per day the longer you hire for, so a week-long booking costs less per day than a single-day rental.
Monthly subscription starts from £695 per month, with no high upfront cost. This is a flexible mobility car hire option for anyone who needs an accessible vehicle for months rather than weeks, without committing to ownership or a multi-year lease.
A refundable deposit of £60 applies to every booking, returned once the vehicle is returned to us. Every hire, whether daily or monthly, includes insurance for named drivers and UK breakdown cover as standard, so there are no hidden extras to budget for.
Types of WAV Ramps and Lifts Available
Access into a wheelchair accessible vehicle usually works one of two ways. A manual or powered ramp folds out from the rear or side of the vehicle, allowing the wheelchair user to enter under their own power or with assistance. Some larger WAVs use a lift instead, which is more common on larger accessible people carrier models designed for bigger or heavier powered wheelchairs.
Rear entry WAVs are the most common option for wheelchair van hire in Birmingham, giving straightforward access and good sightlines for the wheelchair user during travel. Side entry models suit situations where rear parking space is limited, such as narrow driveways or on-street parking in busier parts of the city.
Our team talks through which ramp type suits your wheelchair, your home access, and your usual parking arrangements before confirming a booking, so you are not left guessing which vehicle will actually work for you.
Insurance Coverage for Hired Accessible Cars
Every wheelchair accessible vehicle hire with us in Birmingham includes insurance cover for named drivers as standard, along with UK breakdown cover for the full length of the hire. You will need to provide a valid UK driving licence and meet our standard age and licence requirements, which our team will confirm with you before delivery.
If you are hiring on behalf of someone else, such as a family member or the person you care for, the named driver still needs to meet these requirements even if they are not the person using the wheelchair accessible vehicle themselves. This is a common situation for our Birmingham customers, and our team is used to talking it through with whoever is arranging the hire.
Minimum Age Requirements for Hiring
We hire wheelchair accessible vehicles to drivers between 18 and 85 years old. Drivers over 85 can still be considered, but this is assessed on a referral basis depending on individual circumstances and licence history. If you are booking for a family member who will not be driving, these age requirements apply to whoever will be named as the driver, not to the wheelchair user travelling as a passenger.
Booking Your WAV Hire Online Process
Booking wheelchair accessible vehicle hire in Birmingham with ORA follows a simple process from first call to collection.
- Get in touch. Call 0300 045 4505 or request a callback, and our team will talk through your needs, your wheelchair type, and your intended use, whether that is short-term hire or a longer subscription.
- We confirm your vehicle. Based on wheelchair size, passenger numbers, and journey type, we recommend the right WAV or adapted car from our range.
- Delivery to your door. Your vehicle arrives at the agreed time and Birmingham address, with no need to collect it yourself.
- A full demonstration. Our driver walks through the ramp, restraint system, and any other adaptations before leaving, so you feel confident using the vehicle straight away.
- Extend if you need to. Call at least 24 hours before your return date if you want to keep the vehicle longer.
- We collect it. When you are finished, we will collect the vehicle from your address. There is nothing to return or drop off.
Also Read: WAV Hire In Manchester | Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Hire
Why Choose ORA for Accessible Vehicle Hire in Birmingham
We were designed with wheelchair users, in consultation with over 1,000 wheelchair users, rather than being decided on their behalf. That approach shapes everything from vehicle choice to the booking process. A few reasons Birmingham customers choose us for wheelchair accessible vehicle hire:
- Nationwide delivery and collection, with no branch visit required
- Flexible terms, from a single day to a rolling monthly subscription
- A price match guarantee if you find a genuinely comparable quote elsewhere
- FCA authorisation for consumer hire, and a 5-star Trustpilot rating from over 120 reviews
- A fleet covering WAVs, adapted cars, and internal transfer vehicles, so you are matched to the right option rather than whatever is available locally
FAQs
Can I hire a wheelchair accessible vehicle in Birmingham for just one day?
Yes. Our short-term hire covers a single day up to eight weeks, alongside a monthly subscription option for longer-term mobility car hire needs.
Do I need to collect the vehicle from a depot in Birmingham?
No. We deliver wheelchair accessible vehicle hire directly to your address and collect it again once you are finished. There is no branch to visit at any point.
What is included in the price?
Every hire includes insurance for named drivers and UK breakdown cover, along with delivery and collection at a time that suits you.
What is the difference between a WAV and an adapted car?
A WAV allows you to travel as a passenger while remaining in your wheelchair, using a ramp and restraint system. An adapted car is intended for wheelchair users who want to drive themselves, fitted with controls such as hand levers or a left foot accelerator.
How much does wheelchair accessible vehicle hire cost in Birmingham?
Short-term hire starts from £75 per day, and a monthly subscription starts from £695 per month, with exact pricing depending on vehicle size and hire length.
Can a carer or family member book a WAV on someone else’s behalf?
Yes. Many Birmingham bookings are made by a carer or family member rather than the wheelchair user directly, and our team is happy to talk through the booking with whoever is arranging it.
Is there a minimum hire period?
No. Our shortest hire period is a single day, making it suitable for one-off appointments as well as longer holidays or temporary needs.
Book Your Wav
Ready to book your wheelchair accessible vehicle hire in Birmingham, or still deciding which option suits you best? Book your wheelchair accessible vehicle online, or call 0300 045 4505 to speak with our team directly. You can also view our range of adapted vehicles, or learn more about our delivery service before you commit.
If you are also considering wheelchair accessible vehicle hire elsewhere in the UK, explore our WAV options in London, or read about our Manchester WAV hire service. To find out more about how ORA was built with wheelchair users, visit our About Us page, or contact our team with any questions before you book.
