M1 vehicles for the carriage of one or more passengers seated in wheelchairs - Manufacturing requirements. Specification

To download a DRM-free copy of PAS 2012-1:2025, click here.

The first of two parts, PAS 2012-1:2025 details how to design and manufacture wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV) in Category M1 (up to eight passengers).

Who is PAS 2012-1:2025 Wheelchair accessible vehicles – Manufacturing requirements for? 

• WAV manufacturers and designers;

• wheelchair manufacturers;

• regulators;

• retailers;

• consumer and public interest groups;

• health and safety experts;

• local authorities;

• fleet owners;

• mobility charities;

• accessibility charities;

• care providers;

• wheelchair users.

What does PAS 2012-1:2025 Wheelchair accessible vehicles – Manufacturing requirements cover? 

It specifies design and manufacturing requirements for a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) of Category M1, in which one or more passengers travel, each seated in a wheelchair weighing up to 200 kg that is secured in the WAV using four-point strap-type tie-downs.

PAS 2012-1:2025 includes specifications for measuring key accessibility dimensions, requirements for wheelchair access devices, requirements for wheelchair tie-down and occupant-restraint systems, requirements for rearward-facing wheelchair installations, specifications for structural integrity, requirements for mounting heavy items like ramps, spare wheels and lifts, requirements for additional or modified seats, requirements for modified, relocated or new fuel tanks, and requirements for service elements like a user manual and recall procedures.

Why should you download PAS 2012-1:2025 Wheelchair accessible vehicles – Manufacturing requirements?

• Compliance: its requirements align with UK Vehicle Type Approval requirements.

• Safety: it ensures WAVs meet strict safety and performance requirements.

• Accessibility: it helps ensure WAVs can contribute to a net increase in national accessibility, safely increasing people’s relative independence.

• Verifiability: it establishes agreed industry good practice on how to modify cars for wheelchair users seated in their wheelchair, that can be independently verified.

• Standardization: it provides a national standard for wheelchair tie-down equipment for wheelchairs weighing over 85kg, for measuring the level of accessibility of a motor vehicle, and for issuing an MOT to such a vehicle.

• Compatibility: it gives customers accurate information on accessibility dimensions.

• Reassurance: it gives WAV purchasers confidence in the product they’re buying.

• Currency: this updated standard ensures new innovations in wheelchair and accessible vehicle design are catered for.

What has changed?

PAS 2012-1:2025 will supersede PAS 2012-1:2019 which will be withdrawn on 31 August 2027. In comparison with the previous edition, the following technical changes have been made:

a) updated introduction;

b) minor changes to the scope to clarify the treatment of “heavy” wheelchairs;

c) normative references extended;

d) the requirement for seat belt anchorages has been revised;

e) a new requirement for WAV manufacturers to provide information on maximum mass; 

f) clarification of terminology around wheelchair tie-downs and occupant restraint systems (WTORS);

g) the information provided for the WAV technical specification has been clarified; 

h) the procedure for measuring internal floor slope has been amended;

i) the units of acceleration have been changed to SI units;

j) a new normative annex has been added to provide a ramp test procedure; and

k) almost all Notes have been reviewed and amended to clarify their purpose as recommendations, commentary, illustrations of current good practice or as further explanation.