Wheelchair Buses for Sale

Learn more about wheelchair buses

Every wheelchair accessible bus for sale here has a wheelchair lift or ramp and securement stations built in. They are also called handicap buses or ADA buses, and most are built with two wheelchair stations.

Best fit: Senior living, paratransit operators, schools, and churches.

Budget: New buses start around $115,000. Used prices change with stock.

Compare: Seats you trade for stations, lift placement, and new vs. used.

Need help choosing? Read the full decision guide after the listings. View the decision guide

Related wheelchair bus resources: Wheelchair bus features Senior care buses Wheelchair vans 8-year senior care warranty

Wheelchair Bus Decision Guide

Buying a wheelchair bus comes down to three choices: how many riders you need to carry, how many of them use a wheelchair, and whether you buy new or used. This guide walks through each one.

Which Wheelchair Bus Size Fits?

Every layout below has 2 wheelchair stations, the setup most organizations buy. The first number is the seated count including the driver, and +2WS means 2 wheelchair stations on top of that.

Common wheelchair bus layouts at Carpenter Bus Sales, with total riders and CDL requirement
Layout	Total people, including driver	CDL needed?	Size
13 +2WS	15	No*	Small
17 +2WS	19	Yes	Mid Size
21 +2WS	23	Yes	Mid Size
25 +2WS	27	Yes	Mid Size

The 13 +2WS is the largest wheelchair layout a driver can operate without a CDL. It is still a 15 passenger bus: 13 seated and 2 in wheelchairs. For groups larger than 27, we stock a limited number of large buses with wheelchair stations.

*Some states may have their own requirements that differ from the federal threshold. Confirm with your state's DMV before assuming.

Seats vs. Wheelchair Stations

Wheelchair stations take up floor space that would otherwise hold seats. Many of our buses use folding seats so the same bus can run both ways. A 13 +2WS/15 seats 13 with both stations open, or 15 with the stations folded away. On a larger 21 +2WS/27, folding the stations away adds six seats.

Most organizations buy 2 stations, and some need 3. Anything beyond that is built to order, changes the floor plan, and gives up more seats, so raise it early in the conversation.

Why the Lift Is on the Side

On a bus, the wheelchair lift goes on the side almost every time. A side lift lowers the rider straight onto the curb instead of into the street, which is safer at a pickup or drop-off. We use commercial lifts from Braun and Ricon, the two main makers.

Rear ramps are a van feature, found almost always on 15 passenger vans. If a rear ramp is what you need, see our wheelchair vans.

New or Used Wheelchair Bus?

On a used wheelchair bus, the lift deserves as much attention as the engine. Before we list one, our service department tests the hydraulic lift, the handheld pendant, the manual backup pump, and the safety interlock that keeps the bus from moving while the lift is out. We also check the wheelchair tie-downs and the floor around the lift door.

The bigger difference is coverage. On a new bus, the lift is covered by the warranty like everything else. On a used bus, the lift is only covered by whatever factory warranty is left, which is often none.

Warranty on Wheelchair Buses

Every warranty tier on a new bus covers the entire vehicle, lift included. Senior care communities and churches get our 8 year, unlimited mile PlatinumCare free. All other buyers get 5 year/60,000 mile SilverCare free, with the option to upgrade to 7 year/70,000 mile GoldCare. See warranty details

Wheelchair Bus FAQs

Do I need a CDL to drive a wheelchair bus?

Not on a 13 +2WS. That layout carries 15 people including the driver, 13 seated and 2 in wheelchairs, which keeps it under the federal CDL limit. A 17 +2WS and anything larger carries 16 or more, so the driver needs a CDL with a passenger endorsement.* *Some states may have their own requirements that differ from the federal threshold. Confirm with your state's DMV before assuming.

How many wheelchair stations can a bus have?

Most of the wheelchair buses we sell have 2 stations, and some have 3. More can be built to order; we've built one with as many as 7. Every station you add takes away seats, so tell your rep early if you need more than 2.

Is the wheelchair lift covered by the warranty?

On a new bus, yes. SilverCare, GoldCare, and PlatinumCare all cover the entire bus, lift included. On a used bus, only whatever is left of the original factory warranty transfers. The optional used bus service contract covers the powertrain only, not the lift.

What brand of wheelchair lift do your buses use?

Almost always Braun or Ricon, the two main makers of commercial wheelchair lifts.

Where can I buy a used wheelchair accessible shuttle bus near me?

Our used wheelchair buses are listed on this page, and the selection changes as units sell and come in. We are located in Franklin, Tennessee, just south of Nashville, and Elm Mott, Texas, just north of Waco, and we deliver to all 50 states.

What is the difference between a wheelchair bus and a wheelchair van?

A wheelchair van is smaller and usually loads through a rear ramp. A wheelchair bus has a side lift that lowers riders onto the curb, more room for stations, and more seats. If you only move one or two wheelchair riders at a time, a van may be enough.

Compare Other Options

Wheelchair Vans

Smaller, usually with a rear ramp. Enough for one or two wheelchair riders at a time.

Senior Care Buses

The models and layouts senior living communities choose most.

Small Buses, 15 passengers or fewer

Where the non-CDL 13 +2WS layout lives.

Talk to a rep

Tell us how many riders you carry and how many use a wheelchair, and we will match you to the right layout.

Find your salesman or call (800) 370-6180

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Wheelchair Bus Decision Guide

Which Wheelchair Bus Size Fits?

Seats vs. Wheelchair Stations

Why the Lift Is on the Side

New or Used Wheelchair Bus?

Warranty on Wheelchair Buses

Wheelchair Bus FAQs

Compare Other Options

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