What car?

luminated

Hi Pipkin just read through the thread quite fast and can't see a link to motobility so here it is on which is loads of good information. A cars fully searchable, etc.

Good luck

http://www.motability.co.uk/main.cfm

PlasticMoose

I know someone that drives exclusively using hand controls (although there are still pedals so someone else can drive the vehicle too) and they don't have any issues with it but they did have to have some assessments done. A lot of hand control adaptations are free on the Motability scheme.

saving_pennies

I've driven with hand controls for over three years. I've had no problems and found moving from foot pedals to hand control easy. Motability covered the cost of 5 familiarisation lessons for me with a driving instructor (I already had full licence).

I opted for a car with low advanced payment (£100) and the main hand controls were fitted free (steering ball, push/pull lever for accerelator and brake). I paid £60 to have the indicator switch on the push/pull lever to make it easier for me.

I had an assessment at a driving centre where they assessed my limitations and response times and let me test out hand controls. The assessment is there to help you. I found the staff pleasant and helpful and they opened my eyes to different options to enable me to continue to drive. As your leg goes dead they might suggest pedal guards too which stops your feet getting caught under pedals.

I'm about to hand my first motability car back as I am getting a WAV at the end of the month. I personally think the motability scheme is very beneficial and hassle-free. The HRM of DLA goes direct to motability and I got a brand new car, all services, new tyres, insurance etc paid by motability so the only cost for me above HRM is petrol (and of course the small amount I paid for advance payment and indicator switch). It is possible to put a second named driver free of charge on the insurance (and you can change the driver any time, even for a day if someone different is taking you out just for one day).

I'd suggest following the motability link given by the OP. There website has lots of info and you can search cars available and see advanced payments. Some cars even have no advance payment!

Hope this helps.

Parva

My comments regarding the hand controls were pointed at the OP as a potentially new driver. I know when I first started driving all those years ago it was hard enough keeping control of the steering with two hands on the wheel despite having the two legs to do the pedals, I'm not sure I would as a new driver want to using hand controls AND steering at the same time.

That said I've not personally tried hand controls so perhaps it's a little easier than I envisage. As pointed out earlier it would be a good idea to research this with Motability and possibly have an assesment done.

PlasticMoose

Parva wrote: »

I know when I first started driving all those years ago it was hard enough keeping control of the steering with two hands on the wheel despite having the two legs to do the pedals, I'm not sure I would as a new driver want to using hand controls AND steering at the same time.

:rotfl: I know what you mean! I guess if that's the way you learn it is a bit different. I learnt to drive a manual and now drive an automatic, but I wouldn't want to have started with an automatic and then had to learn on a manual later... flipping clutch pedals and hill starts ....:o

sunnyone

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......

I drive with hand controls, I have no choice because my legs dont work they are very easy to use and while at first your legs twitch towards the relevant pedels because you are so used to them it passes very quickly. It is easier to learn to drive with hand contols then to drive normally according to the specialist driving instructor with whom I had ten transition lessons to relearn to drive.

You need to go to your nearest regional mobilty center Pip for an assesssment, they will decide wether you are capable of driving safely, they will also recomend the adaptions you need to acheive this and they will recomend suitable styles of vehicle to suit you and your family. Basic adaptions are free on the motability scheme.

The DVLA will accept the reportfrom the center and limit your licence accordingly.

Motability will pay for the assessment (though I paid for mine because I wasnt aware of this) so ring them to arrange this before you do anything else.

You can apply for a grant fom motability if you cant afford the down payment for the car you need and also for driving lessons (if you fit the criteria for lessons), the centers report is taken into consideration in the grant decision. Motability will only give you a grant for the cheapest solition and you cant then top off the grant yourself, you have to pay the first £300 yourself.

Needing a wheelchair is taken into consideration for the assessment/grants, so is the size of your family though again there is criteria for this.

Next drugs, the DVLA do produce a guide, I cant find the link at present.

I have had one motability car and its a good scheme so long as you only need a normal car or a willing to travel a rattley van converson of a WAV with someone else driving, but once you need a more specalised vehicle like mine you're on your own unless you work or are in full time education so the scheme fails the most severely disabled.

I have a Paravan and I love it because I can drive from powerchair or choose from three passenger positions all without having to transfer very painfully into a diffrent seat, it gives me some freedomwhen Im well enough to drive.

Good luck Pip!

pipkin71

Thanks all, for your advice. It's been really useful