Having your car converted for the disabled: Guide, costs, grants (2024)

To benefit from a vehicle tax reduction, the following conditions must be met:

• Severe disability: existence of a severe disability with a degree of disability (GdB) of 50 or more
• Impairment in road traffic: Significant impairment of mobility in road traffic (mark G) or deafness (mark Gl)
• Waiver of free transportation: Waiver of the right to free transportation by public transport
• Vehicle registration: The vehicle is registered to the person with the severe disability. People with an orange-colored ID card without an endorsement or with the symbol "G" (walking disabled) can benefit from a 501TP3 vehicle tax reduction. However, this tax reduction is only granted if the right to free transportation on public transport is waived.

For people who are considered severely disabled and have an orange-colored ID card with the endorsements "H" (helpless), "BI" (blind) or "aG" (exceptionally disabled), a full exemption from vehicle tax is granted. To receive this tax exemption, the following criteria must be met:

• Severe disability: existence of a severe disability with a degree of disability (GdB) of 50 or more
• Characteristics: Characteristic sign: exceptionally disabled (aG), blind (Bl) and/or helpless (H)
• Vehicle registration: The vehicle is registered to the person with the severe disability
• People with these characteristics and a GdB of 50 or more are therefore granted a full exemption from vehicle tax.

Tips:

For people with severe disabilities, in particular with characteristics such as "G" (severely disabled), "aG" (exceptionally disabled), "H" (helpless) or "Bl" (blind), there are tax benefits in accordance with the Income Tax Act (EStG). These include

• Unavoidable private journeys: Up to 15,000 km per year can be declared as expenses in the tax return.
• Lump sum since 2021: A lump sum of 4,500 euros per year is available for additional trips, such as visits, vacations or leisure activities.
• Additional travel costs: Within "reasonable limits" (up to 3,000 km per year), travel costs for private journeys, such as shopping or visits to the authorities, can be claimed.
• Different means of transport: Journeys can be made by different means of transport such as car, cab, bus or train.
• Calculation of the remuneration: The tax office calculates the remuneration on the basis of mileage allowances or ticket prices.
• Proof of the degree of disability: A degree of disability of at least 80 or a GdB of 70 plus the mark "G" is required.
• Lump sum without itemized receipts: Since the 2021 tax return, 900 euros can be deducted as a lump sum for disability-related travel expenses without itemization

The costs vary depending on the type of disability and the conversions required. They can range from a few thousand to several tens of thousands of euros. Many manufacturers grant discounts and subsidies are also available. Find out more in the guide above in the financial grants for conversions, new cars and used cars section.

First and foremost, the persons concerned are responsible for the costs themselves. One possible financing option is to apply for funding, such as motor vehicle assistance. However, there are certain requirements that must be met.

In order to be entitled to motor vehicle assistance, certain conditions must be met, including

• The disability is not only temporary.
• The vehicle is necessary to reach the workplace.
• The person concerned carries out a professional activity.

Yes, it is possible for the parents to register the car for the disabled child. However, the vehicle may only be used for special trips that benefit the child, such as dropping off or picking up from facilities.

The cost of converting to hand throttle varies depending on the provider and type of installation. As a rule, however, you should expect conversion costs of several thousand euros.

The way a car with hand throttle works can vary depending on the design. A lever is often used, which is turned clockwise to accelerate. Braking is done by pushing the lever forward, whereby the hand movements are transferred to the pedals.

Yes, as long as the conversions meet the individual needs of the person, any car can generally be converted into a disabled vehicle. A wheelchair-accessible car or a disabled-accessible car with a wheelchair ramp is therefore also no problem.

Yes, both a medical and an aptitude report are required. In addition, an expert opinion is required in accordance with Section 11 of the German Driving License Ordinance (FeV).

Discounts on purchases are not uncommon, and subsidies are also possible. You can find more information on this topic here.

Extra insurance for the additional equipment is not necessary.

Bus and train companies in Germany have become better at meeting the needs of wheelchair users, although there is still room for improvement. Cab services in many German cities have improved significantly thanks to progressive cab companies that have added wheelchair accessible vehicles to their fleets. Community transportation providers are increasingly relying on more maneuverable and comfortable wheelchair accessible minibuses and people carriers to provide more responsive, accessible transportation services. Today, individual vehicles for the disabled hardly differ from the usual street scene in terms of appearance and quality. The decisive factor is that they have become more affordable for the average disabled person.

Here you will find some advertisements from popular marketplaces for car sales as well as the websites of the car brands:

• Mobile.de
• Sixt
• Autoscout
• VW
• Audi
• Skoda
• Opel

• ADAC e.V.
  • 80686 Munich
  • State: Bavaria

• Bruderhilfe e. V. automobile and road safety club
  • 34117 Kassel
  • Federal state: Hesse

• Bund behinderter Auto-Besitzer e.V. (BbAB)
  • 66450 Bexbach
  • Federal state: Saarland

• Driving school and advice center for people with disabilities
  • 75337 Enzklösterle
  • Federal state: Baden-Württemberg

• Mobil mit Behinderung e.V.
  • 76751 Jockgrim
  • Federal state: Rhineland-Palatinate

• MOTOR-TALK.de
  • 10245 Berlin
  • Federal state: Berlin

• REHADAT car adaptation
  • 50668 Cologne
  • Federal state: North Rhine-Westphalia

• TÜV NORD AG
  • 30519 Hanover
  • Federal state: Lower Saxony

• TÜV SÜD AG
  • 80686 Munich
  • State: Bavaria

• Association for citizen-oriented transport policy e.V. Mobil mit Behinderung
  • 10437 Berlin
  • Federal state: Berlin

Converting a car for wheelchair accessibility costs between EUR 7,000 and EUR 15,000 on average, depending on the car. A wheelchair lift for the car is not as expensive as a wheelchair loading system. Converting a car for wheelchair users can therefore vary greatly depending on the model and access. Wheelchair safety systems are relatively inexpensive, but if you want to load a wheelchair yourself, you will have to expect higher costs. There are different ways to have a car wheelchair conversion carried out. The wheelchair loading aid price therefore depends on the type of entry and the car model used for wheelchair transportation in the car. A wheelchair lift for cars, i.e. a wheelchair car conversion, is one of the largest car conversion measures. Converting a car for wheelchair accessibility costs around EUR 10,000. 

Please read our section above on the subsidy. Wheelchair-accessible cars are subsidized, i.e. wheelchair conversions for cars and a transfer aid from wheelchair to car. Possible options include a wheelchair ramp for the car, a wheelchair lift for the car, a ramp for the wheelchair or the direct purchase of a car for wheelchair users. We will be happy to advise you and recommend wheelchair-accessible vehicles or wheelchair-accessible cars with a wheelchair ramp (car for wheelchair users). If you are interested in buying a new car, we will be happy to recommend wheelchair loading systems, wheelchair ramps for cars, wheelchair-accessible cars or a car wheelchair ramp. The car wheelchair ramp installation is carried out by one of our many partners. For example, the VW Caddy is suitable for wheelchairs. It is perfect as a car for disabled people with a wheelchair. The Caddy with wheelchair ramp has often been arranged by us. If you ask us "Best car for wheelchair users", then the VW Caddy is a good option, because it is well suited as a car for wheelchair users, but there are also other good alternatives. The purchase of a wheelchair-accessible vehicle should be carefully considered. For passive drivers, a car with rear access for wheelchairs is sometimes more suitable. In summary, we cannot give you a general answer to the question of which car is particularly suitable for wheelchair transportation, but we will be happy to advise you individually and then find suitable partners for you. 

Are you wondering how to get into a car as a wheelchair user or do you want to buy a wheelchair-accessible car straight away? That depends on whether you are a self-driver or a passenger. Furthermore, whether it should be a new car or whether you want to buy a used wheelchair-accessible car. We will be happy to advise you, because the CW Caddy wheelchair conversion costs differ greatly from the Citroen Berlingo for wheelchair transportation. A wheelchair loading aid for the trunk is more expensive than a simple swivel seat. The most common conversion is the CQ Caddy wheelchair conversion. For less complex conversions, simple car seats for wheelchair users or the installation of a wheelchair in the trunk are also suitable. It is more difficult, but not impossible, if you want to transport a power wheelchair in the car. If you want to lift the wheelchair user into the car, you usually need a complete vehicle wheelchair conversion so that the wheelchair user can get into the car. There are side lifts or rear access for wheelchair users. Both have the advantage that the wheelchair can be transported. But how do you lift the wheelchair into the car? This is possible, for example, with the Robot r11 wheelchair loading system or other wheelchair loading aids. Are you looking for a disabled car with a wheelchair ramp or vehicles for wheelchair transportation? Talk to us! 

An "accessible vehicle" is a car that has been specially modified to meet the needs of people with physical disabilities. It includes adaptations such as hand controls, ramps or swivel seats.

"Driving after a stroke" is possible as long as the person receives medical clearance from their doctor and the vehicle is adapted to their new needs. "Driving aids for the disabled" can provide support.

Yes, there are often "disabled car grants" from various sources, such as the "car care fund grant". These are intended to ease the "hand throttle conversion costs" or "pedal conversion costs".

You can "buy a disabled vehicle" from specialized dealers or service providers who offer "buy disabled vehicles" or "buy disabled vehicles". There are also "search disabled vehicle" platforms that list used options.

Many vehicles can be "car conversion handicapped accessible", but not all. It is important to speak to a specialist company to understand the options and "car conversion hand throttle costs".

Adapting vehicles for people with disabilities

Mobility is an essential need for all people, and for people with disabilities, "accessible cars" offer an essential opportunity to maintain their independence. Many people ask the question: "How much does an accessible car cost?" The answer depends on a number of factors, including the extent of the "disabled car conversion" required.

Anyone who decides to buy such a vehicle should know that some manufacturers offer special conditions. "Which car manufacturer gives the most disability discount" and "which car manufacturer gives a discount for severely disabled people" are therefore relevant questions when it comes to costs. Inquiries can also be made to the "disability-friendly car health insurance fund" to clarify whether "disability-friendly car cost coverage" is possible.

In particular, "self-drive cars for the disabled" must be equipped with special features such as "disabled car with hand throttle" or a "disabled car with swivel seat" in order to provide the necessary support. A "self-drive accessible car" can be customized to meet the specific needs of the driver.

If you already own a vehicle, you can "convert your car for the disabled". There is often the option of receiving a "disabled-friendly car conversion grant". The "car conversion costs for the disabled" vary depending on the extent of the adaptations, such as the "car conversion costs for the disabled".

Car conversions for the disabled", "car conversions for the disabled" or "car conversions for the disabled" are complex processes that are carried out by specialized providers. These "car conversion for the disabled" measures can range from simple adaptations such as "car conversion to hand throttle" to more complex conversions such as the installation of ramps for "cars for wheelchairs".

The adaptation of vehicles for "vehicles for people with disabilities" requires specialized knowledge and skills. Whether you are looking for a "car for people with disabilities" or a "new car behind