A vehicle lift, as for wheelchairs, incorporates a horizontally disposed load platform pivotally affixed to a laterally spaced-apart parallelogram elevating frame which is in turn pivotally affixed to a carriage, allowing a composite travelling assembly (platform, elevating frame and carriage) to be stowed in a mounting enclosure. A hydraulic ram actuates the parallelogram elevating frame mechanisms to position the platform at different terminal positions. At the stowing level, a pair of laterally spaced-apart rack-and-pinion mechanisms actuate the aligned platform, elevating frame and carriage inboard, on laterally opposed guide rails to be stowed in a mounting enclosure. A roll stop mechanism is affixed to the outboard end of the platform and is automatically actuated to move from a ramp position at ground level to a vertical safety stop position when the platform is elevated. A bridge plate mechanism is affixed to the inboard end of the platform to bridge the gap between the platform and the vehicle at vehicle floor level yet function as a vertical safety barrier at all other platform positions. A hinged handrail is fitted to each side of the platform for passenger safety.