Archive Website of the UK government

Motoring accessories for disabled people

These accessories include:

Ricability is a charity and has published a number of reports that look at the various types of adaptations available to help you drive. These include car controls, people lifters and how to get a wheelchair into a car.

The guides also contain details of suppliers who carry out adaptations.

• Mobility consumer reports by Ricability Opens new window

For an independent assessment of your adaptation needs, contact the Forum of Mobility Centres.

• Forum of Mobility Centres website Opens new window

For information on assistance with financing your adaptations, contact Motability.

• Motability website Opens new window

Adapting your vehicle for upper body disabilities

If you have lost the use of one arm or have a weakened arm, you may consider adaptations including:

If you have an artificial limb fitted below the elbow you can drive a car using a special concave limb attachment. This is fitted over the steering wheel or the gear lever.

Even if you have lost the use of both arms, you can still drive with redesigned car controls. You could also try a foot steering system.

Adapting a vehicle for lower body disabilities

If you have lost the use of one of your legs or have reduced usage in one leg, the adaptations you may consider include:

If you get your car adapted or hire or buy an adapted car, it's important to get good advice and training on using the vehicle.

Adapting your vehicle for easier access

There are accessories and adaptations that can make it easier to get in and out of your vehicle. This may be particularly important if you use a wheelchair.

You may be able to get into your car from the driver's side, passenger side or rear. Your choice of entry will determine the type of adaptations you need for your vehicle.

For entry from the driver's or passenger's door, you need wide doors and preferably a sliding and swivelling aid.

Vehicle conversion specialists produce wheelchair accessible vehicles.

Transferring from a wheelchair to your car

It can be difficult to transfer from a wheelchair into a car. You can use a board, lifting belts or leg lifters. There are also hoists and lifts to help you and your chair into the car. There are also specially converted cars or vans that you can drive your wheelchair into.

Find out how to apply for a dropped kerb locally

A dropped kerb may make it easier to get from your car to your house, if you have to park on the road. The following service lets you enter details of where you live and takes you to your local council website. Then you can find out how to apply to have a dropped kerb put in outside your home.

Please note that this service is only available for councils in England.

• Find out how to apply for a dropped kerb Opens new window

• Local councils

Useful contacts

• Motoring and transport contacts for disabled people

• Transport government contacts

More useful links

• Paying VAT on equipment and vehicles for disabled people (money, tax and benefits section)