The crucial aspect of loading wheelchairs into a handicap vehicle is their safety.  When proper safety procedures are followed, a stress-free ride will result.

Depending on the type of vehicle you have, positioning the van is crucial as a ramp could be fitted on any of the sides, including the back. It is best to park the van in a place where there is sufficient room for the ramp to be lowered easily. You will need to avoid other cars, and there needs to be some leeway at the end of the ramp to position a wheelchair. The brake needs to be applied and the engine turned off to prevent any movement during loading.

The ideal surface to load wheelchairs is dry and flat.  Some ramps need to be operated manually, while others are activated with the push of a button. Before lowering the ramp you need to make sure everyone is out of its path, with any wheelchair brakes on. This is because ramps weigh a lot and can be highly dangerous if anyone is underneath them when lowering.  When loading a wheelchair you need to be behind the passenger’s wheelchair and then you can push it up and into the vehicle. This is best for stopping the chair accidentally rolling down. After loading, the wheelchair has to be secured with the proper safety belts fitted in the vehicle.

The National Mobility Dealers Association provides information about all the varieties of safety restraints. Lock-downs are the most prevalent style of safety restraint. They fasten the wheelchair to the van’s floor but cannot be fixed by the passenger himself or herself. The best way to use it is to attach it to a part of the chair that doesn’t move, such as the frame. They must not be attached to the wheels of a wheelchair, or any component that can be detached or moved.

To test that the wheelchair has been fastened properly, you can try pushing or pulling the chair backwards, forwards and to the side. If it moves noticeably, then refasten the lock downs. With the wheelchair securely fastened, you then need to make sure the passenger is also safe. This involves using the seat belt plus any other necessary straps. With wheelchair and its occupant safe, the ramp can be folded, the doors closed and the van is then ready to proceed.