In India, despite numerous laws and policies, moving around for a wheelchair user is always challenging. This is even more so in terms of public transport – for example, trains are accessible, but stairs are the only way to get to the platform, or buses have space for wheelchairs but no ramp to get on, etc. In this scenario, retrofitting a car to suit a wheelchair user’s needs, whether as passenger or in self-drive mode, is a one-time investment and a suitable choice.

You can either buy a new car that has been adapted to limited mobility needs or get a second-hand vehicle customized to your requirements. Renault is one of the biggest automobile manufacturers in the world who develop wheelchair friendly vehicles on an industrial scale. There is also a range of Western car manufacturers who make vehicles specifically for the disabled such as BraunAbility, REV Group, MobilityWorks and Vantage Mobility International.

There are a few companies in India that modify cars for the mobility impaired. Take for instance True Assistive Technology that offers different types of swivel seats to make it easy to get into the car. A bunch of car modification agencies also retrofit cars of all budgets to suit the needs of people with mobility issues. But what do these modifications really include?

The Indian government has put out safety rules and regulations for disability friendly cars or modified vehicles. Once the vehicle is modified in any way, you need to register it at your nearest RTO office as an adapted vehicle. If you are registered under the Divyangjan category, you