Car- Hand Controls

dori2o · 9 September 2014 at 3:20PM

I had an appointment to see yet another pain specialist yesterday evening and during the discussion (which wasn't very productive unfortunately) he suggested I look into getting my car adapted to have hand controls instead of pedals so that I could drive more.

He thinks the stimulation, concentration that i would get from being able to drive without having to worry about my legs swelling up/ locking up, pain etc would be beneficial for my mental health which is currently taking a battering due to unrermitting pain and also some recent work related stress.

He says it's not that complicated to do and 'isn't that expensive'. (Maybe not for someone charging £195 per hour for private consultations)

Has anyone had this done to their car and if so could you give your opinions on ease of use and cost.

Thanks

DomRavioli · 9 September 2014 at 3:31PM

You might want to contact Motability; they specialise in cars with adaptations. My uncle has one with hand controls, just for the pedals, and he uses them more often than not. If he's popping down the road, he may choose to use the pedals instead, but its a rarity.

If you don't already claim DLA/PIP, it may be worth looking into PIP, as you may be entitled to a vehicle from Motability depending on your circumstances, which can have adaptations.

dori2o · 9 September 2014 at 3:58PM

DomRavioli wrote: »

You might want to contact Motability; they specialise in cars with adaptations. My uncle has one with hand controls, just for the pedals, and he uses them more often than not. If he's popping down the road, he may choose to use the pedals instead, but its a rarity.

If you don't already claim DLA/PIP, it may be worth looking into PIP, as you may be entitled to a vehicle from Motability depending on your circumstances, which can have adaptations.

Thanks

I have HRM DLA but I don't want a Motability Car for various reasons, but m,ainly because I use the DLA money to fund treatments and to offset a reduction in working hours to facilitate a 4 day working week rather than a 5 day week which helps me better manage my condition.

I was looking to get advice on having the controls added to my car.

ingey.uk · 9 September 2014 at 6:02PM

Try these guys

£175 cheep Eh (I don't work for them) found them on google

http://handcontrolsfordisableddrivers.co.uk/product/freedom-staff-handicap-hand-controls/?gclid=Cj0KEQjwyrqgBRDepamt-LWA2oABEiQAV7nwwHRVf1YkLaJIHsZsC7Sr9b2orgJz4o3n-304QnehHBgaAlZQ8P8HAQ

Savvy_Sue · 10 September 2014 at 12:42AM

I believe motability will still do an assessment and offer advice - if they don't, they'll know who will as I'm sure there is an organisation who do.

wolfehouse · 10 September 2014 at 8:26AM

if you go for hand controls remember you have to inform your insurance of the modifications.
I don't know if there would be costs to that.

Richie-from-the-Boro · 10 September 2014 at 12:53PM

dori2o wrote: »

I had an appointment to see yet another pain specialist yesterday evening and during the discussion (which wasn't very productive unfortunately) he suggested I look into getting my car adapted to have hand controls instead of pedals so that I could drive more.

He thinks the stimulation, concentration that i would get from being able to drive without having to worry about my legs swelling up/ locking up, pain etc would be beneficial for my mental health which is currently taking a battering due to unremitting pain and also some recent work related stress.

He says it's not that complicated to do and 'isn't that expensive'. (Maybe not for someone charging £195 per hour for private consultations)

Has anyone had this done to their car and if so could you give your opinions on ease of use and cost.

Thanks

- paid for which-doctor [y] - snake~oil at £195 a bottle
- not even remotely impressed, alternative paid for therapies of this kind, are and always were nonsense
- tell me doctor how driving adaptations [metal + electronics] is going to cure my work related stress
- tell me doctor how driving adaptations [metal + electronics] is going to cure my mental health problem
- a second hand £20 excise machine in the spare room would give the same muscular / vascular effect

Sorry dori2o, If I many in this group have sought 'alternative' help for years, and have spent many thousands by now. The fact that they are still searching / seeking / paying for 'alternative' magical solutions suggests there is none. You do have my sympathy for your problem, but as a friend of MSE I have to speak out against this [£195 per hour] legal quackery. Motability pricing list here. Best wishes to you Dori2o.

TOBRUK · 10 September 2014 at 2:00PM

dori2o wrote: »

Thanks

I have HRM DLA but I don't want a Motability Car for various reasons, but m,ainly because I use the DLA money to fund treatments and to offset a reduction in working hours to facilitate a 4 day working week rather than a 5 day week which helps me better manage my condition.

I was looking to get advice on having the controls added to my car.

Hi dori2o, I have hand controls on my car but not for foot controls. I don't have a 'motability' car, I bought a second hand car - I arranged (with a centre) to have it adapted myself.

You really need to contact motability (not for a car) and request an assessment - a MOBILITY DRIVING ASSESSMENT at a centre. They will arrange this and it is FREE if you are receiving HRM DLA.

At the assessment centre you will be given tests in a simulator which will be fitted with adaptions. They will advise you on the adaptions you need and then you will go driving in a car with these adaptions with the assessor. The assessment takes about 2 hours in all. They are extremely friendly and helpful.

They then will send you the assessment report, plus a copy for you to send to the DVLA. You have to let the DVLA know of any changes! They will also give you leaflets of the adaptions they recommend together with information of the places and locations that fit the adaptions.

When I had my car adapted I made an appointment with one of the centres/garage to have the adaption fitted - my sister drove the car there.

They will tell you the cost of the adaption/equipment. The cost of fitting the adaption depends on the make and model of the vehicle.

The cost of the adaption I have (when I enquired 4 years ago as my adaption broke and did not know if they could fix it) was £1000 - that is before fitting.

I wouldn't buy an adaption online or from anywhere other than one of these centres.

I had another assessment in July as I am going to have to change my car in the next year (or when my car conks out as it is a 1996 model!) and wanted to see the newest adaptions and also have a drive in another car - it was brilliant.

Chorlie · 13 September 2014 at 11:42AM

These are generally considered the best (among people who use hand controls all the time).

http://www.jeffgosling.co.uk

They aren't cheap, my last ones cost about £450 but that was about 3yrs ago.

It may also be worthwhile contacting http://www.rdac.co.uk and get there advice or an assessment.

You could also consider contacting a local driving school that teaches disabled drivers and have a couple of lessons to get use to the hand controls and see if it is right for you.

sunnyone · 17 September 2014 at 7:56PM

Chorlie wrote: »

These are generally considered the best (among people who use hand controls all the time).

http://www.jeffgosling.co.uk

They aren't cheap, my last ones cost about £450 but that was about 3yrs ago.

It may also be worthwhile contacting http://www.rdac.co.uk and get there advice or an assessment.

You could also consider contacting a local driving school that teaches disabled drivers and have a couple of lessons to get use to the hand controls and see if it is right for you.

I use hand controls all the time and I disagree about Goslings, I hate them and they have even destroyed my clothing in the past with the stupid LIPS padding on one of my cars.

I prefer Bekkers.

mooch1uk · 21 September 2014 at 10:36PM

Hi

If you work and require the vehicle to get to work , it is worth seeing if you can get anything through the Access to Work fund.
https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/what-youll-get

Speak to your HR department too

Car- Hand Controls

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