What Options Are Available to Disabled Drivers?
 These days almost anyone can drive regardless of disability. If you are able to drive and you want to then it is possible for you to get a vehicle adapted to suit your needs. You can get an assessment
from a mobility centre, this will asses your situation and what adaptations you will need and you may also be able to test drive a rig car. Usually these assessments cost from £50 upwards.
You have to decide whether you want to adapt an existing car or you want to purchase a new car to adapt. The controls start from simple attachments to the replacement of all driving controls. The only constraint is they have to comply with DVLA requirements.
The first thing you have to choose is the car that suits your individual needs, e.g. the door widths must be right and the height of the
door and boot sills. When it comes to deciding on what controls to have first and foremost they must meet your requirements but
they must also be comfortable and safe for you to use. You should find the controls that suit you and not have to adapt yourself to
suit them.
The most common type are hand controls for braking and acceleration which are linked to the pedals. There are primary controls;
Steering - help to grip the wheel or avoid having to do so with the use of a spinner to help you grip the wheel. You can also get
joystick steering, foot steering or have a tiller installed.
Controlling Speed - hand brakes, changing gear and parking brake.
Changing Gear - automatic, manual push, button clutch and manual clutch.
Parking Brake - mechanical and electrical parking brakes.
Pedals - adapted pedals, power assisted, size, position and shape can be altered.
For the purpose of controlling speed most mobility cars rely on hand controls for braking and acceleration. Also available are,
combined controls, floor mounted levers and accelerating ring/lever. You can also have cruise control which will maintain the car at
a certain maximum speed, this can be useful for long journeys.
Changing gear is usually done by an automatic transmission but you can also have a push button clutch or a paddle gear box. In an adapted car floor raisers can be installed, as can pedal extenders, left foot accelerators and pedal guards to stop the pedals being accidentally pressed. There are many options for disabled drivers which ensure that anyone who wants to is able to drive.
By Calum Macleod
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