Legislation From Senators Hassan, Collins, Manchin & Colleagues to Help Severely Disabled Veterans Purchase Adaptive Automobiles Signed Into Law

WASHINGTON – The President signed into law provisions of the Advancing Uniform Transportation Opportunities (AUTO) for Veterans Act, legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Joe Manchin (D-WV), that will reduce the financial burden for severely disabled veterans who require special adaptive equipment to drive a motor vehicle.  The legislation will make these veterans eligible to receive a grant through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help purchase a new adaptive vehicle once every ten years, helping them to drive safely and maintain their independence. 

“Adaptive vehicles can be an essential resource for veterans with severe disabilities – helping them live independently, go to work, or get to doctor’s appointments,” said Senator Hassan. “This new law is an important way to help more veterans afford these vehicles and in turn participate in their communities. I am glad that Republicans and Democrats came together to pass this legislation, and I will continue working to ensure that veterans have the support that they need and have earned.”

Under the prior law, veterans could only receive a single automobile grant over the course of their lives. The provisions authored by Senator Collins, Hassan, and Manchin were enacted as part of the Veterans Auto and Education Improvement Act of 2022 (H.R. 7939), which was amended in the Senate to include the AUTO for Veterans Act provisions.

The AUTO for Veterans Act will relieve an enormous burden for many veterans throughout the country who need to purchase expensive adaptive vehicles in order to drive safely or to drive at all.

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