The wheelchair-accessible minibus, arranged around your group

An accessible minibus lets wheelchair users travel with everyone else rather than separately. It's arranged per booking, so the more you tell us about the people travelling, the better the vehicle offered will suit them.

How the space works

Access is by a lift or ramp, and each wheelchair has its own securement position. Those positions replace seats, so the total number of passengers depends on the layout for your trip. A vehicle that seats sixteen with no wheelchairs aboard may take far fewer with three.

Luggage space is limited too, because the wheelchair positions use much of the floor. For airport or cruise runs, mention cases early.

Models you might travel in

These are the sort of models operators run in this size. The exact vehicle is down to the operator that takes your booking.

The photos are of standard minibuses, without a lift, ramp or wheelchair spaces. Tell us what access equipment you need in your quote request.

Minibus (16 to 19 seats)

Mercedes Sprinter
19 passengers · 15 bags
Ford Transit
16 passengers · 12 bags
Mercedes Sprinter
17 passengers · 14 bags

On board

In London, wheelchair-accessible private hire vehicles are exempt from the Congestion Charge while carrying out a booking
Category D1 licence for up to 16 passenger seats; PSV operator's licence for 9 or more passengers for hire or reward
PSVAR sets accessibility standards only for vehicles of more than 22 passengers on local or scheduled services, so accessibility on private hire is arranged per booking
Lift or ramp access with wheelchair securement positions

Not a standard feature

National accessibility standards for buses and coaches are aimed at bigger vehicles, over 22 passengers, running local or timetabled routes. On private hire, accessibility is arranged each time, and it isn't confirmed until an operator has matched a suitable vehicle to your date and needs.

Please share whether chairs are manual or powered, their approximate size and weight, whether each user could move across to an ordinary seat, and how many carers or companions are coming. If someone uses a mobility scooter, mention it separately so the operator can check it fits.

Driver and licensing

With up to 16 passenger seats, the driver needs D1 entitlement, and carrying 9 or more paying passengers means the operator holds a PSV operator's licence. In central London, vehicles seating nine or more get a full Congestion Charge discount, and wheelchair-accessible private hire vehicles are exempt while on a booking, so smaller accessible cars are covered too.

Your questions

Who is this minibus good for?

Care homes and day centres, families with a wheelchair user, and any group with mixed mobility that wants to travel together.

Can a powered wheelchair travel?

Often, but it depends on the lift's capacity and the securement system. Share the chair's size and weight so the operator can check.

How far ahead should we book?

As early as you can. It's a specialist vehicle, so an early request gives operators the most time to find the right one, especially for busy summer weekends.