What car?

pipkin71

I'm considering taking driving lessons then having a car through the mobility scheme.

There are some things I need to consider before going down the route of lessons, to do with the car, which are:

My left foot can, without warning, stop working, so it's completely dead. Due to this, I would need an adapted car. What sort of costs are associated with this, please?

I find it difficult getting into cars which are low down, so would need quite a high car but not a big car. Any ideas of make? I don't really know much about cars

I have episodes of extreme pain which shoots down my leg and this can be increased if I am sitting down so would this mean I am not safe to qualify for a driving licence from the DVLA?

My other consideration is whether the car would be worth it financially. I do end up confined to the house due to loss of mobility and can spend half the month or more indoors but, when I do go out, I can spend over £50 per week on taxis.

So, what to do?

Any advice, or thoughts on the matter would be appreciated :beer:

[Deleted User]

couple of things,a motability car would take away your hrm(£55 a week?)and you would have to pay for petrol on top of this,plus possibly a substantial advance payment,so financially you could be worse off
i would check with the dvla re:medical issues they are quite helpful

pipkin71

woodbine wrote: »

couple of things,a motability car would take away your hrm(£55 a week?)and you would have to pay for petrol on top of this,plus possibly a substantial advance payment,so financially you could be worse off
i would check with the dvla re:medical issues they are quite helpful

Thanks, woodbine.

I know about losing the mobility part of DLA. Any ideas of what sort of payment I would need to make? I do have savings but obviously not a bottomless pit.

How could I find out what sort of payment - would I just go to a mobility car dealership to find this information?

Although I may be worse off, financially, I'm thinking that it would give me more freedom by having a car.

PlasticMoose

If you don't have any issues with you right leg/arms etc, have you considered buying a decent second hand automatic? Plus, the vehicle would be yours then, and there would be no issues regarding the forthcoming PIP/DLA fiasco that seems inevitable.

As for type of car - would something like a Qashquai be any good? I haven't actually ever been in one so I can't comment on comfort, but they're higher up but not monstrously huge.

Tiddlywinks

Is it only your left foot that can sometimes stop 'working'? If you can use you right leg 'normally' then you don't need any adaption - just get an automatic which is operated entirely with the right foot.

You can learn in an auto and take a test in an auto - and it is easier to master.

How about a Smart Car... I have the new model (as well as an older Volvo estate)... the Smart is high up and very easy to get in and out plus has an auto box... is cheap to run and low tax. Some options get you heated seats which I love in winter or when my back is seizing up.

[Deleted User]

pipkin71 wrote: »

Thanks, woodbine.

I know about losing the mobility part of DLA. Any ideas of what sort of payment I would need to make? I do have savings but obviously not a bottomless pit.

How could I find out what sort of payment - would I just go to a mobility car dealership to find this information?

Although I may be worse off, financially, I'm thinking that it would give me more freedom by having a car.

the advance payment can be anything from zero to approaching thousands a dealer would advise
dont forget to add in the cost of learning to drive plus the cost of the test
i drove for work for years then had to stop driving due to my epilepsy and mrs w doesnt drive either,but i dont miss it at all and we manage on trains and buses

pipkin71

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

Is it only your left foot that can sometimes stop 'working'? If you can use you right leg 'normally' then you don't need any adaption - just get an automatic which is operated entirely with the right foot.

You can learn in an auto and take a test in an auto - and it is easier to master.

How about a Smart Car... I have the new model (as well as an older Volvo estate)... the Smart is high up and very easy to get in and out plus has an auto box... is cheap to run and low tax. Some options get you heated seats which I love in winter or when my back is seizing up.

I have problems with the right foot too, just that the left is the most severe. Sorry, I should have put that in the OP

Parva

pipkin71 wrote: »

I have problems with the right foot too, just that the left is the most severe. Sorry, I should have put that in the OP

Don't drive then, ever! You need one good leg to do this, even with an auto. I know because I've gone from being a supremely confident both legs manual driver to a much more conservative left leg only driver!

If you have any doubts at all about being able to press a pedal with either leg than you should be asking yourself why you're even thinking about driving. This is also not to mention the details that you give to the DVLA regarding your 'condition', you must also make them aware of any issues.

Edit: Hand controls are your only option here. Wouldn't go there personally......

pipkin71

Parva wrote: »

Don't drive then, ever! You need one good leg to do this, even with an auto. I know because I've gone from being a supremely confident both legs manual driver to a much more conservative left leg only driver!

If you have any doubts at all about being able to press a pedal with either leg than you should be asking yourself why you're even thinking about driving. This is also not to mention the details that you give to the DVLA regarding your 'condition', you must also make them aware of any issues.

Edit: Hand controls are your only option here. Wouldn't go there personally......

Thanks Parva.

That's why I was asking about having an adapted car, as I know that using foot pedals would be a risk due to the issues with my legs and feet.

Can I ask why you wouldn't think about hand controls - what are the issues there?

pauliboo

You urgently need to speak to Motability.

Call them.

They can help towards the costs of lessons, and also the cost of hand controls/adaptions. Some adaptions are free.

I like the idea of the Smart Car, as it would probably suit your needs well.

pipkin71

pauliboo wrote: »

You urgently need to speak to Motability.

Call them.

They can help towards the costs of lessons, and also the cost of hand controls/adaptions. Some adaptions are free.

I like the idea of the Smart Car, as it would probably suit your needs well.

I didn't know they could help with the cost of lessons. Thanks :beer:

I will have a look at the smart car.