Driving with Hand Controls

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Kids always want to know how or if I drive. The answer is “yes”, with hand controls. The most common question from adults is “was it hard to learn to drive with them?” The answer to that is “no”, because it’s the only way I’ve ever driven.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with hand controls it’s a bar that mounts on the the left side of the steering column. You push down to accelerate and forward for the brake. You also need a spinner knob on the steering wheel. It makes it a lot easier to turn corners since you are steering with only one hand. Just in case you’re wondering a car with hand controls can still be driven by anyone using the gas and brake pedals.

Back when I was in school, Driver’s Ed was still offered and I was fortunate enough to attend a school that was great at providing a car that was equipped with hand controls. Before they would teach me to drive I had to make sure I was able to get in and out of the car by myself. Once I got in the car there were other things I had to figure out. I’ve listed some below.

Obstacles you might encounter:

• Make sure you can see where you are going and are stable enough to turn corners. I’m short so I have to sit on a cushion and I also have a pillow behind me as well.
• Check to make sure the steering wheel can move freely and isn’t rubbing your legs/knees.
• Turning to see if there is anything behind you or beside you is difficult if you wear a brace. This makes the maneuverability part of the driving test very difficult. Learn to use your mirrors very well.

Now that they don’t offer Driver’s Ed in school anymore, call your local driving school to see what accommodations they have for those needing hand controls.

Of course once you learn to drive you will need access to a car equipped with hand controls in order to take your driving test and you will want to practice outside of driving school. A car with hand controls can still be driven by anyone using the gas and brake pedals. My mom had the controls put on her car so I could practice and take the test. And if you don’t pass the test on the first try don’t feel bad. I took it three times before I passed.

How to Get Hand Controls

You might be wondering how to get hand controls put on a vehicle once you get your license. It really depends on what kind of car you buy, and whether it’s brand new or used. Be prepared to have to figure things out on your own, because the sales person may not know.

My first car was a Plymouth Acclaim, we ordered the hand controls from a place in Michigan called Gresham Driving Aids, back then they would ship them to you and my dad put them on. They don’t do that anymore.

My second car was a Chrysler Sebring and by that time Chrysler had a program when you bought the car they would send it out to have the hand controls installed before you picked up the car.

And that brings me to my most recent car, a Chevy Cruze. Getting hand controls on it was a little more difficult. Even though my dad is a certified mechanic no place would sell them to him for him to put on. So we had to go with a place called Mobility Works.

First, I had to email them a copy of my driver’s license so they could verify I needed hand controls. Then they had to order them and put them on. The whole process took about two and a half weeks! But it’s good to know there are places out there like that to get them installed.

And I have heard there are portable controls you can move from car to car. Although I have never used them, it’s something to consider checking into.