There are a lot of options to choose from when it comes to wheelchair vans in 2024.
From minivans to full size vans, from buses to non-emergency transportation vans, it can be a little bit confusing to know which one is right for you.
At MoveMobility, we understand how confusing the wheelchair-accessible vehicle industry can be–we’re one of Canada’s leading wheelchair-accessible vehicle providers, after all.
That’s why in this article, we’re going to focus on everything you need to know about full size wheelchair vans in 2024.
This includes answering the following 6 questions:
- What makes a van “full size”?
- How many passengers fit inside a full size wheelchair van?
- Should I get a ramp or a lift for a full size wheelchair van?
- What type of license do I need to drive a full size wheelchair van?
- Who is a full size van right for?
- What full size conversions do you sell at MoveMobility?
Let’s start by establishing what, exactly, makes a wheelchair van “full size”.
1. What makes a wheelchair van “full size?”
This probably won’t surprise you, but generally what makes a wheelchair van “full size” is just that it’s bigger. The two full size vans that can be made wheelchair accessible from MoveMobility are the Ram Promaster and the Ford Transit.
In a full size wheelchair van, you have space for everything–whether that’s 10-12 passengers (including the driver), storage for large wheelchairs, etc.
Check out this related article from BraunAbility that delves into the history of full size wheelchair vans.
2. How many passengers fit inside a full size wheelchair van? (Capacity)
As a general rule, full size vans can seat 10-12 passengers including the driver. Passenger capacity depends on whether the van is a Ram Promaster or Ford Transit.
The great thing about a full size wheelchair van is the seats can be added or removed, giving wheelchair users more room in the van.
3. Should I get a ramp or lift for a full size wheelchair van?
A major conversion we make to full size vans here at MoveMobility is installing either a ramp or a lift.
Either option is available for full size vans.
To learn more about the pros and cons of ramps vs. lifts, check out this article.
Now that we’ve covered some conversion options for full size wheelchair vans, let’s talk about what license you actually need to even be able to choose between these two options.
4. What type of license do I need to drive a full size wheelchair van?
If you’re worried that your driver might have to get a new license to be able to drive a full size wheelchair van, don’t be.
All you need is a Class 5 license, which is the average license class for drivers in most provinces (although requirements might be different for your province or may change, so you should refer to your provincial legislation for the laws).
Check out this article to see a breakdown of what license class you need to drive a full size wheelchair van in Canada, province by province.
5. Who is a full size van right for?
Determining who a full size wheelchair van is right for can be broken down into two factors:
1: Drivers willing to drive a large vehicle
A full size wheelchair van is larger than a minivan, which means some drivers may find it intimidating trying to maneuver it around small spaces.
However, once you start practicing, it’s easy to learn. Many drivers find that driving a van like the Ram Promaster feels similar to driving a Dodge Grand Caravan.
2: Organizations that need a higher passenger capacity (up to 10, including the driver)
At MoveMobility, we generally recommend a larger wheelchair van for organizations that will be frequently transporting more than one wheelchair.
If this sounds like you, check out the next section on full size vans we sell at MoveMobility to learn more about your options.
6. What full size van conversions do you sell at MoveMobility?
Most of the vans we sell here at MoveMobility are considered full size vans, and for the most part, they can be divided into two models: the Ram Promaster and the Ford Transit.
1. Ram Promaster full size vans
The Ram Promaster is a versatile full size van converted and used for wheelchair-accessible and non-emergency medical transportation.
Ram Promaster vans don’t need any additional driver licensing besides the Class 5 license (this is the case for most provinces, but check your provincial legislation laws to make sure).
Check out this page on our website to learn more about the Ram Promaster full size vans.
2. Ford Transit full size vans
Similar to the Ram Promaster, the Ford Transit is a full size van converted and used for wheelchair-accessible transportation.
Check out this page on our website to learn more about Ford Transit full size vans.
Now that you know what options we have for full size vans, let’s talk about your next steps.
Your next steps to getting the right full size van in 2024
You came to this article searching for everything you need to know about full size vans in 2024.
Now you know what makes a wheelchair van “full size”, the license class you need to drive a full size wheelchair van, who a full size wheelchair van is right for, and what full size conversions we sell here at MoveMobility.
Being one of Canada’s leading wheelchair-accessible vehicle providers, at MoveMobility, we know it can be super confusing to know what kind of wheelchair van is right for you. So, if you’re still not sure what van is the best fit for your organization, talk to an expert at MoveMobility today.
Or, if you’d like to read more about wheelchair van options, check out these resources:
