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Nov
21

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

A wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) refers to a taxicab, for-hire vehicle, or transportation network company (TNC) endorsed vehicle that has been designed or modified to transport passengers in wheelchairs. WAVs include both:

  • Wheelchair Accessible Taxicabs (WATs) that are required to be accessible to passengers in wheelchairs as a condition of its medallion.
  • Voluntary conversions that are not required to be accessible to passengers in wheelchairs as a condition of a medallion or endorsement, but whose owner voluntarily chooses to be wheelchair accessible.

WAV license holders are required to meet higher driver safety requirements than regular taxis to serve passengers with mobility devices. The driver must provide certification of WAV training to have the WAV endorsement added to their for-hire driver license and their vehicle must pass a wheelchair accessible service inspection. While operating a WAV, the driver must prioritize service to passengers with mobility devices before any other passenger.

Wheelchair Accessible Services Surcharge

Each taxi, for-hire vehicle, and TNC pays a wheelchair accessible services surcharge for all rides, which King County and City of Seattle use to help offset the higher operational costs incurred by owners and operators of WAVs through reimbursements from the Wheelchair Accessible Services (WAS) Fund:

The City of Seattle's WAV website provides additional detailed information, including WAS Fund annual reports, types of reimbursements, and WAV vehicle requirements. You may also refer to King County Code and Seattle Municipal Code for more information.

WAS Fund Reimbursements

WAV owners and drivers may be eligible to receive reimbursements for trips provided to passengers in wheelchairs, shifts operated in a WAV, additional WAV-specific training, and costs associated with acquiring and maintaining a WAV, as governed by joint County-City rules:

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