Independence is important to everyone and driving is a massive factor in feeling like you have freedom. For those with mobility problems, getting behind the wheel can seem daunting and pose a few problems. However, there are ways to overcome these challenges if you have limited mobility to allow you to exercise your freedom and get out on the open road.
Car Adaptations
Here at PB Conversions, we offer a solution to individuals with reduced mobility in their legs and lower body. This allows a wheelchair user to access a car in their wheelchair and operate the controls using just their hands to enable them to drive normally.
Hand Controls For The Car
Some hand controls for cars come in the form of toggles that attach to the steering wheel and allow you to operate the minor controls from the steering wheel without having to move your hands away from the wheel. This means that, rather than reaching around the wheel or across the seats, you’d be able to operate the radio volume, air conditioning, windows, and indicators from the front of the wheel, avoiding any excessive movement.
If you need to take the next step in using car hand controls for mobility cars, you could also secure a car with levers that operate your brakes and acceleration on a simple push-pull mechanism. You would push down to accelerate and pull it back to slow down. This lever will be installed by the steering wheel on the side of your dominant arm to give you the most manoeuvrability and ease of use.
These controls, along with the toggle pad to control the electronics in the car, will enable you to use the car and be fully functional, just from the steering wheel.
How To Get A Hand Control Car
Most automatic transmission cars can have lever controls installed around the steering wheel and mobility schemes can offer these modified cars to people with lower body mobility problems. Just like a standard car, you will need to pass a driving test to be able to drive safely by yourself, but once the test is passed, you’re fine to get out on the road in your new car.
Please note that hand controls should never be installed by an unlicensed company or person. Taking your car to the professionals to install your controls will mean that you have the peace of mind that you and the people around you are safe.
Other Drivers
Cars with installed hand controls are usable by anyone, even if they’re fully mobile. They will just need to learn and understand the car’s mechanisms to be able to operate it just like you do. Other drivers will need to be fully insured in the car alongside yourself in case of an accident.
Wheelchair Users In Cars
If you’re a permanent wheelchair user, then your hand-controlled car could also be modified to allow you to sit comfortably in the front seat. On some models, a lifting sling can be issued so you can slip easily into the front seat of your car. Swivel seats can also be installed so you can simply swing and face the correct direction once you’re sitting comfortably.
To find out how your car could be modified to help you get on the road, speak to a mobility car specialist like us at PB Conversions, who will discuss your needs and suggest the next best steps. To find out more, give us a call on 01525 850588 or head over to our contact page for more information.
Recently had my fourth vehicle adapted by Paul At Pb Conversions.always does a first class job and with first class service & always easy to deal with. Thanks for the great service Paul from you and your crew over the years.
Kiran was very helpful today explaining some of the issues I had with my hoist, and how to avoid them from happening again.
Dealt with the adaptations for my son's new motability vehicle - very friendly, efficient and helpful. Really pleased.
Very helpful and knowledgeable engineer, fast and efficient service
Thank you so much for all your advice, help and very professional job on adapting our car. Without your advice I would never have known to apply for a grant. You were excellent, thank again.
Due to my husband's condition we need a car with adaptions, we were advised by his paraplegic group to visit and this place is the best. Felt so relaxed talking about what we needed, all the staff were so friendly and so well informed, going above and beyond, especially Paul Berridge. I fully recommend this business. Honest and reliable. Thank you.
Staff are super super friendly, helpful, extremely informative and really nothing Paul & Co can’t do to any vehicle. PERFECTION is their middle name! Thank you so much for your outstanding service to me over the years and I look forward to using your company all my driving life.
Excellent work done on our car and very professional company. Great customer service and prompt response to emails.
Would you like an assessment?
If you are a disabled driver, or know a disabled driver in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire or Northamptonshire, please contact PB Conversions for a free no obligation quote to assess what products would benefit you.