DAV Vans: Transportation for Veterans

About DAV services

DAV provides transportation for Veterans to and from Veteran health care centers for scheduled medical appointments.

Arrange a ride

Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
James Hooker
Steve Hooker
Room A1050
Interactive map of Madison VA Hospital
Phone: 608-280-7019

Transportation should be scheduled immediately when making an appointment appointments must be scheduled at least 48 hours in advance to ensure there is a seat reserved for you on the DAV/VTS vans.

Please note that DAV vans can only provide rides to ambulatory passengers (passengers who are able to move around without the driver’s help). For information on accessible transportation options, review our other Veteran shuttle services.

Other Veteran shuttle services

Other Veteran-specific transportation services, including buses, shuttles and wheelchair-accessible transport, are available to patients by calling 608-256-1901, ext. 11919.

Local transportation options

Many medical centers and clinics are served by local transportation services - review transportation services for the facility you want to visit.

Guidelines for using DAV vans

DAV van passengers are expected to follow these guidelines:

• All riders must be able to board and exit the van without the driver’s help.
• The 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 personal business.
• Passengers are not permitted to smoke, chew tobacco, drink alcohol, use foul language, or bring weapons, drugs, or any illegal substance. 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 with them, the Veteran needs to get authorization from 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 their home county only if space is available. 
• Veterans should be dressed and ready to leave at the time specified. Drivers can’t wait for Veterans who aren’t ready to leave at the appointed time.
• Veterans can only bring items that they can hold on their lap or store under the seat.
• DAV vans are not emergency vehicles. The driver may refuse to transport any Veteran who appears to be too ill to ride.
• 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)