Quadriplegic Driving Controls 

Just because a person as a disability of some sort doesn’t mean that person can no longer operate a vehicle. Since hand controls for driving were invented in the 60’s, they’ve become a life saver for many people. Hand controls enable those who still have limited control of their upper body to get in a car and drive.

No longer being stuck in the house, hand controls give disabled individuals a sense of freedom similar to the freedom some people are granted by their wheelchairs. Driving is so crucial nowadays that living in certain states without a car can mean a major setback.

Driving With A Disability

Thankfully today, disabled driving is very much a possibility for many handicapped individuals today. The earliest form of hand controls worked with metal rods extending from the brake and accelerator pedal all the way to levers controlling them behind the steering wheel. This idea was so ingenious that some of these pedals are still used today.

This gave disabled individuals a whole new sense of freedom as they could now drive a car to get anywhere they wanted. As time has progressed, hand controls have become available for airplanes, construction machinery, boats, trucks, and off road vehicles as well. Hand controls have evolved so much in fact that there are many professional race car drivers that use hand controls.

Installing Hand Controls On Your Wheelchair

In order to get hand controls installed in a vehicle, you must pass a series of tests that prove that you can drive. This includes getting clearance from your doctor. Next, like everyone else, you need to take a driver’s test.

Both written and driving. This helps ensure you are comfortable with the throttle, brakes,  signals, and steering device. Once you pass the road test, you can successfully have special modifications added to your car by a professional.