DAV vans: transportation for Veterans
The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) provides free van rides to and from George E. Wahlen VA health care facilities at Salt Lake City, UT to Veterans who don’t have other transportation options. Find out how to schedule a DAV van ride.
Effective immediately (as of Nov. 10, 2020)
Operations for Veterans Transportation Services (VTS) and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) will be limited for transportation services. All veterans being transported to and from the facility WILL require a Travel Consult by the provider. Justification for transport is required for veterans who need face to face appointments or discharges. Currently we have drivers on station at the SLC VA and a driver in St. George and Idaho Falls. Pickups along the I-15 corridor can be arranged on van days for St George and Idaho Falls. All other areas (Price, Vernal, Richfield, Afton, Rock Springs, Logan, Elko, and Ely) have no resources currently and those needing transportation will be on a case by case basis. VTS has very limited resources. To book a trip we need three business days, no exceptions. The Volunteer Driving staff cannot operate till we are in Phase 3. Social distancing and masks are required during transportation.
About DAV services
DAV van resources work with county Veterans Affairs directors to provide transportation for Veterans to and from Veteran health care centers for 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.
VA Regional Office
550 Foothill Drive
Suite 202
Salt Lake City, UT 84158-1900
Phone: 801-326-2375
Transportation appointments must be scheduled at least 48 hours in advance to ensure there is a seat reserved for you on the DAV/VTS vans that pickup along the I-15 corridor. All other routes require a minimum of one week to schedule.
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, including wheelchair accessibility, contact the VTS / VTN offices.
St. George
St. George - Appointments must be scheduled between 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. For van appointment call 800-613-4012, ext. 1027.
- November, 2020 - 2 4 6 10 12 16 18 20 24 30
Holiday 11 (Veterans Day) 26 (Thanksgiving) 27 (No van) - December, 2020 - 2 4 8 10 14 16 18 22 24 28 30
Holiday 25 (Christmas) - January - 5 7 11 13 15 19 21 25 27 29
Holiday 1(New Year’s Day) 18 (MLK Jr.) - February - 2 4 8 10 12 16 18 22 24 26
Holiday 15 (President’s Day) - March - 21 3 5 9 11 15 17 19 23 25 29 31
- April - 2 6 8 12 14 16 20 22 26 28 30
- May - 3 5 7 11 13 17 19 21 25 27
Holiday 31 (Memorial Day) - June - 2 4 8 10 14 16 18 22 24 28 30
- July - 2 6 8 12 14 16 20 22 26 28 30
Holiday 4 (Independence Day observed on July 5) - August - 3 5 9 11 13 17 19 23 25 27 31
- September - 2 8 10 14 16 20 22 24 28 30
Holiday 6 (Labor Day) - October - 1 5 7 13 15 1921 25 27 29
Holiday 11 (Columbus Day) - November - 2 4 8 10 12 16 18 20 22 24 26 30
Holiday 11 (Veterans Day) 25 (Thanksgiving) 27 (No Van) - December - 2 6 8 10 15 16 20 22 28 30
Holiday 24 (Christmas)
Idaho Falls
Idaho Falls - Appointments must be scheduled between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. For van appointment call 800-613-4012, ext. 1027.
- November, 2020 - 2 4 6 10 12 16 18 20 24 30
Holiday 11 (Veterans Day) 26 (Thanksgiving) 27 (No van) - December, 2020 - 2 4 8 10 14 16 18 22 24 28 30
Holiday 25 (Christmas) - January - 4 6 8 12 14 18 20 22 26 28
Holiday 1 (New Year’s Day) 18 (MLK Jr.) - February - 1 3 5 9 11 17 19 23 25
Holiday 15 (President's Day) - March - 2 4 8 10 12 16 18 22 24 26 30
- April - 1 5 7 9 13 15 19 21 23 27 29
- May - 4 6 10 12 14 18 20 24 26 28
Holiday 31 (Memorial Day) - June - 1 3 7 9 11 15 17 21 23 25 29
- July - 1 5 7 9 13 15 19 21 23 27 29
Holiday 4 (Independence Day observed on July 5) - August - 2 4 6 10 12 16 18 20 24 26 30
- September - 1 7 9 13 15 17 21 23 27 29
Holiday 6 (Labor Day) - October - 4 6 8 12 14 18 20 22 26 28
Holiday 11 (Columbus Day) - November - 1 3 5 9 11 15 17 19 23 29
Holiday 11 (Veteran’s Day) 25 (Thanksgiving) 27 (No Van) - December - 1 3 7 9 13 15 17 21 23 29 31
Holiday 24 (Christmas)
Other Veteran shuttle services
Main Building
Map of Salt Lake City campus
Phone: 800-613-4012, ext. 10272
Other Veteran-specific transportation services, including buses, shuttles, and wheelchair-accessible transport, are available to patients. Please contact these providers directly to schedule a ride.
Contact:
Valerie Murray
Emaill: Valerie.Murray1@va.gov
Phone: 801-582-1565, ext. 2424
Local transportation options
Many medical centers and clinics are also served by other local transportation services. To find those, review the transportation services information for the facility you want to visit.
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)
- All volunteer and paid drivers are prohibited from accepting tips for the service they provide on the DAV VTN/VTS vehicles as this is a service free of charge to veterans.