The quick answer is that,, yes, wheelchair users can drive a car. In fact, 33% of manual wheelchair users and 27% of wheelchair users who have power-operated chairs all own and operate their own private vehicles. This comes as a surprise to a lot of people who do not believe that wheelchair users are able to drive. The whole ability comes down to which parts of the body are affected. For instance, if the affected body part is the leg, then there is nothing stopping you from using your hands. On the other hand, if your disability is more severe than that, you might need to have your vehicle modified or even consider a custom-built car.
What Features Do Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles Have?
One of the things that help people in wheelchairs drive is the existence of wheelchair-accessible vehicles. These have features that make it a lot easier for the users of wheelchairs to gain access to and operate a car. These features include:
- Built-in ramps
- A lift to help get in
- An electric-powered winch
- Better seating options
- Converted roof
Because of the different features that these vehicles have, they can steadily become more and more expensive; however, different means available will allow you to purchase a wheelchair-accessible vehicle. For instance, a lot of them are second-hand now, and these can be purchased for much cheaper. If you are on the lookout for used WAV vehicles, then you should be sure to head over to Allied Mobility.
How Do Wheelchair Users Drive?
There are no specific means by which people who are in wheelchairs drive. In the same way, wheelchair users use a manual chair, powered chairs, or scooters. There are also different vehicle and driving means available to people. One of the most popular adaptations are hand controls as a lot of wheelchair users still have full access to their hands, but their legs are impaired. This means the car can be propelled using the hands rather than the feet.
How Do People in Wheelchairs Get a Drivers License?
It’s simple for people in wheelchairs to get a driver’s license, as there isn’t any law in place that prevents them from doing so. Quite the opposite, there are specific guidelines set out for those to follow if they’re in a wheelchair and would like to try to get a driver’s license. You need to declare any kind of medical condition before you formally apply for a driver’s license. After that, a specialist practitioner will review your application and, upon doing so, decide whether or not you will be okay to drive a car. After that, you will take a test in a modified vehicle to see if you pass or not.
Driving with a Physical Disability
If you are in a wheelchair, then there is nothing to say that you are unable to drive because of that. By getting a wheelchair-accessible vehicle and passing a driving test, you are going to be able to get yourself from A to B very simply.