DAV vans: Transportation for Veterans

About DAV services

We work with Disabled American Veterans and contracted vendors to provide transportation for Veterans and authorized caregivers to get to scheduled medical appointments.

Arrange a ride

If you’d like to schedule a DAV van ride, contact the hospital service coordinator who serves your county.

West Haven VA Medical Center: Peter
Hours: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Phone: 860- 666-6951, ext. 3575

Newington VA Clinic: Donald T. Davis
Hours: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Map of Newington VA Clinic campus
Phone:  860-666-6951 ext. 6397

Other Veteran shuttle services

VA Connecticut Healthcare System
Veterans Transportation Service

Please note that arrival times may vary depending on weather and/or traffic.

Please call at least 48 hours prior to your appointment to reserve your seat.

Travel Clerk: ext. 3298, ext. 7498 or ext. 6615.

Local transportation options

Beneficiary Travel

Beneficiary travel benefits include round-trip transportation from your home to the medical center, mileage reimbursement, or special mode transport. 

Find out if you qualify for beneficiary travel benefits

You can also contact your local Beneficiary Travel Department at ext. 3298, ext. 7498 or ext. 6615 for more information.

Not Eligible for Beneficiary Travel?

Are you not eligible for Beneficiary Travel, but need a ride to an appointment? We may be able to help using our local Van Service or shuttles. Please contact us at ext. 3298, ext. 7498 or ext. 6615 for more information.

Guidelines for using DAV vans

DAV van passengers are expected to follow certain guidelines, established by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the DAV National Headquarters. These guidelines include the following:

• All riders must be ambulatory (able to board and exit the van without the driver’s help).
• The DAV van driver is only allowed to stop the van for rest stops, emergencies, and to pick up and drop off passengers. Passengers should not ask the driver to make side trips to take care of their personal business.
• Passengers are not permitted to smoke, chew tobacco, drink alcohol, use foul language, or bring weapons, drugs, or any illegal substance on the van. Van drivers are not required to provide transportation to any Veteran who is intoxicated, abusive, or who poses a threat to the driver or other passengers.
• Passengers should not do anything to distract the driver.
• Passengers should wear seatbelts at all times. Any passenger who refuses to wear a seatbelt will be denied transportation.
• If a Veteran needs another individual (for example, a caregiver) to ride in the van with them, they need to get authorization from their VA attending physician or VA-certified nurse practitioner.
• Veterans being discharged or granted passes can ride on a DAV van during the van's trip back to its home county only if space is available. The Veteran must be ready to leave when the van leaves the VA medical center.
• Veterans should be dressed and ready to leave for the hospital at the time specified. Drivers can’t wait for Veterans who aren’t ready to leave at the appointed time.
• Veterans can only bring with them items that they can hold on their lap or store under the seat.
• The DAV van is not an emergency vehicle. The driver may refuse to transport any Veteran who appears to be too ill to ride the van.
• Veterans who use the DAV Transportation Network will not be eligible to receive reimbursement for travel expenses.
  (M-1, Part 1, Chapter 25, July 8, 1991)