Disabled Vehicles: Understanding Pricing, Buying, and Driving Laws
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Disabled vehicles, also known as handicap or wheelchair access vehicles, are those cars or vans that have been specially designed or customized to allow for a passenger or driver in a wheelchair to access them. In other cases, driving for the disabled involves special accessories that assist the driver in making the normal maneuvers. Whether you purchase a custom designed vehicle or if you undertake a wheelchair vehicle conversion process on your own, read on for some tips on price, purchasing options and laws concerning these cars.
Pricing and Buying
It's easier to find a standard vehicle that will work for your needs and to then modify it, than to find a pre-customized vehicle. Thus, the pre-customized wheelchair or handicap access cars tend to be disproportionately expensive compared to their alternatives. On the other hand, if you buy a standard vehicle and make your own conversion, you'll be saddled with the decision of which lift and accessories to buy, and you'll then have to go through the process of installing the lift, which can be difficult and expensive.
Driving Laws
Driving laws for disabled access vehicles are generally the same as those for standard vehicles. If a car has a special lift or other accessory, it may be permitted to park in certain locations that other cars may not legally stop at. In order to do this, you'll need to obtain a special permit from the DMV in your area, which must be posted on the front mirror of the car.
