Kerb Ramp Buying Guide

The best kerb ramp depends on what you need to move over the kerb, how frequently the ramp will be used and the weight of the load. The recommendations below provide a general guide; always check the ramp specifications, including height, capacity and dimensions, to ensure it is suitable for your application.

Heavy-duty rubber kerb ramps - Best for regular use with cars, vans, RVs, motorhomes, trailers, motorcycles and heavier vehicles. Designed for durability and high load capacities, making them suitable for permanent or semi-permanent access.

Aluminium car ramps - Best for portable vehicle access, particularly where a smoother gradient is required for low-ground clearance cars or vehicles that cannot easily overcome steeper ramps.

Aluminium container ramps - Best for loading forklifts, ride-on mowers, machinery and other wheeled equipment into containers, workshops and storage areas.

Pallet truck ramps - Best for safely moving loaded pallet trucks, cages and flight cases over kerbs and small height differences. Designed with a smoother gradient to accommodate the low clearance of pallet trucks.

Kerb hoppers - Best for temporary pedestrian access during roadworks, utility works and events. Suitable for pedestrians, pushchairs, mobility aids and light equipment.

Wheelchair and mobility access - For wheelchair users and mobility scooters, a dedicated accessibility ramp such as a rubber threshold ramp or folding wheelchair ramp is usually the most suitable solution, as these are designed with gentler gradients and accessibility requirements in mind. If you wish to load equipment and provide wheelchair access, look for ramps with a smooth gradient. 

A kerb ramp is designed to provide a smooth transition from ground level onto the kerb or step. They are commonly used to allow vehicles, vans, cars, mobility aids and pedestrians to overcome lower heights. 

Kerb ramps are used in a wide range of applications to provide a safe, smooth transition over kerbs and steps. Common uses include:

• Vehicle access – Kerb ramps allow cars and vans to safely overcome raised kerbs. They help reduce the risk of damage to tyres, suspension and wheel alignment. Single kerb ramps are also commonly used for motorcycles.
• Driveway access - Kerb ramps allow vehicles to overcome the pavement where no dropped kerb is available. They are a popular choice for those seeking a temporary method to access a driveway whilst waiting for a dropped kerb to be installed or during building works. Note, low clearance cars often require a smoother gradient so our car loading ramps are generally better suited in these instances. 
• Pedestrian access – Portable kerb ramps, such as plastic Kerb Hoppers, are frequently used during utility works and roadworks to provide temporary access for pedestrians, pushchairs and those using mobility aids when a dropped kerb is unavailable.
• Loading equipment – Couriers, event companies and removal firms often use kerb ramps to move goods and equipment on trolleys, cages and carts over kerbs, reducing manual handling and helping to prevent damage to items being transported.
• Loading machinery – Kerb ramps provide an easy way to load and unload machinery such as ride-on mowers, plant equipment and other wheeled machinery into storage units, workshops and shipping containers. Portable aluminium ramps can be used to assist forklifts and ride-on mowers to overcome kerbs on construction sites or to undertake ground maintenance works. 
• Loading pallet trucks - Most pallet trucks, with the exception of all-terrain pallet trucks, have low clearance and a ramp is required to allow them to safely overcome steps, kerbs and lower heights. While kerb ramps can be used in some situations, we generally recommend using a dedicated aluminium pallet truck ramp, as these are specifically designed to provide the smoother gradient and stability needed for safely moving loaded pallet trucks.
• Wheelchair and mobility scooter access – Kerb ramps can help wheelchair users and those using mobility scooters overcome small steps and kerbs or access garages and sheds. When choosing a kerb ramp for mobility aids, it is important to select a model with a suitable gradient and weight capacity to ensure safe use. For wheelchair access, we suggest viewing our range of rubber threshold ramps which are designed specifically with disabled access in mind. 

Measure the vertical height from the ground to the top of the kerb, step or container.

Check the width of the item you wish to load. For vehicles, you may wish to simply measure the wheel width and line the ramps up with the wheels, in other instances you may wish to check the full width of the driveway or kerb.

For low clearance cars, pallet trucks and mobility aids, a smoother gradient is usually recommended. If the gradient is too steep, the car can be damaged or the mobility aid may ground out. Always ensure to check the weight of the item you are loading.

Kerb ramps are available in rubber, plastic and aluminium, with each material offering different benefits depending on how and where the ramp will be used. When choosing a kerb ramp, consider the weight capacity required, how often it will be moved and the type of equipment or vehicle using it.

• Rubber ramps – Heavy-duty and durable solution with fixed and portable options, perfect for regular outdoor use. Higher heights can be quite heavy to lift and move so are generally left in place. Not all types are suitable for solid wheels such as those found on pallet trucks. 
• Plastic – Lightweight and portable, easily lift and move when needed. Lower capacity than rubber and aluminium solutions. 
• Aluminium – Lightweight and portable, easily lift and move when needed. Available in a wider range of designs, including wedge ramps and ramps which rest on the step. Available in a wider selection of lengths for those who need to load low-clearance items. 

The choice between a fixed and portable kerb ramp depends on how often the ramp will be used and whether you require a permanent or temporary access solution.

Fixed kerb ramps are ideal for regular, long-term use, particularly when loading vehicles, heavy equipment or machinery. They are designed to remain in position and provide a durable access solution for driveways, workplaces and commercial environments. Our heavy-duty rubber kerb ramps are supplied with fixings suitable for tarmac and concrete installation. Always ensure you have permission from the landowner before permanently installing a kerb ramp.

Portable kerb ramps are better suited for occasional or temporary access where the ramp needs to be moved or stored when not in use. Lightweight options can be easily positioned as required and are commonly used for events, construction sites, utility works and temporary vehicle or pedestrian access.

Whilst kerb ramps are legal, you cannot legally leave a kerb ramp on a public pavement or highway without permission. If you plan to fix a kerb ramp in place, you must first obtain permission from the landowner, council or local highway authority.

Under Section 184 of the Highways Act 1980, it is illegal for vehicles to drive over a kerbed footway or a verge in the highway.  Under Section 162 of the Highways Act, you are also not permitted to place any apparatus across a highway if it could cause danger to those using the highway. Leaving a kerb ramp in position on a public street or pavement can become a danger to drivers and a trip hazard to pedestrians. If injuries do occur, you can be held liable for these. 

Where using a portable kerb ramp on private land, you do not usually require permission. If you are fixing the ramp in place, you will need to secure permission from the landowner. 

If you need vehicle access across a public footway on a long-term basis, it is recommended you contact your local council to apply for a dropped kerb. 

Kerb ramps are commonly used as a temporary solution where a dropped kerb is not available. The price of a rubber kerb ramp is often around £20 - 40 depending on your chosen height and design making it a quick and affordable option for overcoming kerbs.

A dropped kerb lowers the height of the pavement between the road and your driveway, allowing vehicles to safely access the property without having to cross a standard raised kerb. A dropped kerb is commonly viewed as the ideal permanent solution for regular vehicle access. Application fees vary between councils but are typically around £400. This fee is usually non-refundable, even if your application is not approved. If permission is granted, you will normally need to complete the installation within a specified timeframe, often around six months. Installation costs vary depending on the location, access requirements and complexity of the work, but are generally around £2,000. Additional charges may also apply, including traffic management, road space or lane rental fees, and vehicle crossover markings.

Choosing the right kerb ramp depends on what you need to move, the height you need to overcome and how frequently the ramp will be used. Whether you need a heavy-duty solution for vehicles, a portable ramp for loading equipment, or temporary access during works, selecting a ramp with the correct capacity, width and gradient is essential for safe and reliable use.

By considering your application first and comparing the available materials, fixed and portable options, you can find a kerb ramp that provides the right balance of safety, durability and convenience. If you are unsure which ramp is most suitable for your needs, our team of experts is available to provide advice and help you choose the right solution.

Still need assistance? Our team is available throughout the week to help via phone, email, live chat or WhatsApp. If you’d rather we call you, you can easily request a callback here.