Driving

[whwiechm]

Has anyoine ever had their car modified for hand controls for braking and accellerating? How much was the cost?

[CatsandCars]

I haven't, whwiechm, but I hope someone can chime in and help you with that.

[bulldogman]

I have a van with hand controls it cost me about $2000 three years ago. The hand controls $1250 the rest was labor. Hope this helps.

[whwiechm in reply to bulldogman]

Thanks.

[hopeandgrace]

I think my van was about $3000 for hand controls

Keep in mind that there are steps to take like an evaluation and recommendation from an OT (you can’t just get it installed without paperwork) and practice driving and taking a test with the DMV to be allowed to legally drive with them

[whwiechm in reply to hopeandgrace]

Thank you. I never thought to check with the DMV, I'll do that.

[kathyseaberg in reply to whwiechm]

In California, DMV mandates at least 6h behind the wheel instruction with professional driving instructor. It cost me about $4000 for installation and equipment. The good news is that the equipment can be transferred to many new cars when you need a new one! I feel so fortunate to be able to drive with hand controls! Good luck to you~

[NorasMom]

My aunt in PA checked into it for herself last year, and between the DMV and car modifications she was looking at about $10,000. She's not a favorite person of mine, so I question that total.

[mrsmike9]

I have two disabled sons. I was told when I took one of them in to voc rehab, that should I ever need hand controls, they would help with the cost! Something to check out!

[whwiechm]

Thanks. So fdar it is not necessary, but I will probably be needing the controls in the future

[MSFlea]

I had not even thought of this as an option! Thank you for your post! I don't drive much, but I did get out and drive last Thursday, and had a worrisome moment at a long light, wondering if my leg was going to be able to stay on the brake for the whole thing. I mainly only drive to my Teens high school which only a few blocks away, so had no idea my leg weakness would do this.

[whwiechm in reply to MSFlea]

When I have been stopped in traffic, sometimes my foot slips off the brake and I start to run into trhe car ahead of me. I'n starting to get in the habiut of shifting to neutral when I am stropped like that.

[MSFlea in reply to whwiechm]

I should have probably put it in park at the long signal. I'll probably do that if I need to drive again, or feel good enough to drive.

[AquaZumbaFan in reply to whwiechm]

That is exactly what I do! I also use the cruise control almost all the time.. it really helps with a leg fatigue. I live about 45 minutes away from the gym and I go regularly there so I have to use it or I would never be able to go back and forth.. we’re really fortunate the car we bought for me back in 2019. It has a bunch of safety features to keep me from running up on cars and if I get too close to the center line..I use the cruise control often as hand controls. We have a lot of variance in speeds. And I just have to continuously readjust so I don’t get a ticket.. knock on wood