FAQ

Renting from Vans of Hope is simple and personalized:

Check availability: Reach out by phone or online with your travel dates and desired pick-up/drop-off location. We’ll confirm the van’s configuration suits your wheelchair dimensions and passenger needs.

Reserve your dates: We recommend booking at least a week in advance—especially during busy periods. Rentals are available for a day, weekend, or longer.

Pick-up (or delivery): You can pick up at our Andersonville location or request delivery (fees apply) to a home, hospital, or the airport.

Vehicle walkthrough: At pick-up, we provide a full orientation on operating the ramp and using the tie-downs. We’ll also review fuel levels, mileage policies, and return details.

Here’s what to have ready when booking with Vans of Hope:

Age & license: Driver must be at least 21 with a valid U.S. driver’s license.

Insurance: Proof of full coverage auto insurance (liability, comprehensive, collision) that extends to the wheelchair-accessible van. We’ll verify your coverage; supplemental insurance can be arranged if needed.

Payment info: A major credit or debit card to secure the reservation.

Wheelchair dimensions: Let us know your wheelchair’s width (the outer edge of your wheels and the widest point of your chair), height (the user’s head height when in the chair), and length (including the user’s feet) when booking so we can ensure a proper fit.

Yes—we rent wheelchair accessible vans 7 days a week.

Whether you need a van for a weekday appointment, a weekend getaway, or an extended family trip, we’re here to help. Pickup and return times are scheduled by appointment to ensure a smooth handoff, even on weekends and holidays.

We’re committed to providing flexible options that work with your schedule.

What’s included:
(4) Wheelchair tie-downs plus lap-and-shoulder seat belts
A full tank of gas upon pick up
200 miles per day

What’s not included:
Tolls, parking fees, fuel, or insurance

Rental durations include:

Single-day rentals – Ideal for appointments, outings, or errands

Weekend rentals – Special rates available for Friday–Sunday trips

Weekly rentals – Discounted pricing for 7-day reservations

Extended rentals – Need the van for two weeks or more? We’re happy to work with you on a custom rate based on your plans.

Whether you’re traveling across Chicagoland or planning a longer stay elsewhere, we offer flexible rental options that fit your needs and budget.

Yes! Vans of Hope offers convenient delivery and pickup service for your wheelchair accessible van rental throughout the Chicagoland area.

We deliver to:

O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

Midway International Airport (MDW)

Downtown Chicago hotels and neighborhoods

Private residences, hospitals, and care facilities

Delivery and pickup fees are based on the distance from our location at 5333 North Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60640 to your requested address. We’ll provide a quote based on your drop-off and return location when you make your reservation.

We’ll make it easy whether you’re arriving from out of town or need the van brought to your door,

Absolutely—our vans are perfect for out-of-town trips, family vacations, and meaningful getaways. We encourage travel that helps you make memories with your loved ones.

For out-of-town rentals:
• You may travel anywhere in the U.S.
• Cross-border travel to Canada or Mexico is not allowed due to insurance restrictions

For one-way rentals:
We consider one-way drop-offs on a case-by-case basis. We’re happy to discuss your plans and try to accommodate if you won’t be returning to Chicago.

One-way rentals require a custom quote based on location, retrieval distance, and time involved in returning the vehicle to our home base.

If you’re planning a longer journey or relocation, just reach out — we’ll do our best to help.

Absolutely!

• Weekend rentals (Fri – Sun) are 2.5x the daily rate instead of 3x
• Rentals for 4 – 6 days are a 10% discount
• Rentals for 7 – 29 days are a 20% discount
• Monthly rentals for 30 days or longer are a 45% discount

Our wheelchair accessible vans all feature an easy-to-use automatic side-entry ramp. The ramp provides a gentle incline for smooth and safe boarding, whether you’re using a manual wheelchair, power chair, or mobility scooter.

The ramp accommodates a maximum width of 29 inches for the wheels. This comfortably accommodates most standard wheelchairs. If you use a bariatric wheelchair, the wheel width is the best indicator of whether there could be an issue.

If you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to call — we can often suggest solutions. We also confirm your wheelchair’s exact measurements before finalizing any reservation to ensure a proper fit and avoid any surprises.

In our standard wheelchair accessible van setup, the wheelchair user rides in the center of the van—where the middle-row seat would normally be. This position offers the safest and most straightforward experience for boarding and secure travel.

If you prefer for the wheelchair user to ride up front (next to the driver), we can remove the front passenger seat upon request. There is an additional fee for this service, and advance notice is required so we can prepare the van for your rental.

Many couples or solo travelers find this option more comfortable for conversation and visibility—just let us know your preference when booking.

Our wheelchair accessible van is equipped with a four-point tie-down system to keep your wheelchair secure while traveling. The tie-downs are brand new, easy to use, and fully adjustable—they lock into a secure rail system on the van floor so we can position them precisely for your chair.

In addition to the tie-downs, the van includes a lap and chest seatbelt system to provide added safety and stability for the wheelchair user.

During your rental pickup, we’ll give you a complete demonstration to ensure you feel confident in securing the wheelchair for safe and comfortable travel.

Our vans are set up to transport one wheelchair user at a time. Each van includes one set of four tie-downs and a lap-and-shoulder seatbelt system designed for a single wheelchair passenger.

We intentionally offer accessible minivans rather than full-size vans. Many drivers find full-size vans more difficult to maneuver in city traffic, and some parking garages won’t accommodate oversized vehicles or may charge extra fees. By staying within the minivan class, we help ensure your trip is smooth and enjoyable—without adding unexpected stress or surprises.

Yes—you can drive the van yourself. No special license is required.

Our vans are standard minivans with an accessible conversion, so any driver with a valid U.S. driver’s license and full-coverage auto insurance can operate the vehicle. If you are comfortable driving a regular minivan, you’ll feel right at home behind the wheel.

If this is your first time driving an accessible van, we’ll provide a full walkthrough at pickup—covering the ramp operation, tie-down system, and any vehicle features—to make sure you feel confident before hitting the road.

It’s always a good idea to book as early as you can—especially for holidays, weekends, or special events. Because we’re a small, locally owned business, availability can be limited, and early booking gives us time to confirm wheelchair fit and any special requests.

That said, last-minute bookings are a normal part of our business—and we’ll always do our best to accommodate you, even on short notice. If your plans come together quickly, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’d love to help.

Vans of Hope is conveniently located at:

5333 North Sheridan Road
Chicago, Illinois 60640

Our wheelchair accessible vans are housed in a secure, public parking garage attached to the building.

Please note, we do not have a public facing office so you will need to contact us through our website, email, or phone number so we can meet you at the garage.

If you’re arriving by public transportation, our location is easily accessible:

Red Line – Argyle Stop: Just a 10-minute (0.5-mile) walk from the garage.

Bus #151: Stops directly in front of our building and runs 24/7 throughout the city.

If you’re driving to pick up the van, you have two parking options:

Garage Parking – You may leave your vehicle in the same public garage we use during your rental period. The garage charges $25 per day, paid directly at the facility.

Street Parking – Free street parking is available nearby with no permit or payment required. However, we don’t recommend leaving your car for more than a day or weekend. Chicago’s street cleaning schedules can change with little notice. Cars left on the street during cleaning will be ticketed.