Big thank you to Keiran from Access Driving who provided a superb and really helpful expert hour on accessible driving. Click here to watch it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpH-tPRIXl8
In the meantime pelase see some bullet point notes which the team took throughout the webinar:
Returning to driving after amputation – It is a legal requirement to notify DVLA after an amputation, even if it is a left leg! Please tell them asap.
Book an assessment at disability driving centre as soon as possible. 3 months waiting.
After the assessment, you will have all the relevant information about the lessons you will need and the paperwork to send to DVLA to change the codes on your driving licence. Much quicker this way than doing DVLA application yourself.
The cost of an assessment is about £160 but if you get a referral from your specialist or GP, that reduces to about £110.
For disabled under 18’s – You can get an assessment to provide recommendations for the adaptions needed at 15 and a half.
You can apply for funding for the cost of driving lessons, but they are means tested, so parents’ income will be taken into account. But if successful, they will fund up to first test.
16-year-olds can start to learn to drive if they have a licence.
Choosing a car – The car is for you! You will have the car for 3 years, choose the best one for YOU.
Is it comfortable to sit and read a book? If you are an above knee, does the trim on the seat cause discomfort for your scar? Cruise control, can you reach it? Can you lift a wheelchair in by yourself, do you require a hoist? Has it got a flat boot without a lip to lift things over it? The sales reps don’t know much about adaptions and will not know which are best for you. Find out who is the adaption fitter in your area. Call them and ask if a hoist will fit in the car you have seen. They are more than happy to advise on things like will a left foot pedal will fit that make of car. Take you time in choosing your new car!
If you order adaptions on a Motability car there is not usually a cost unless you want something other than standard fittings. If you want adaptions after you pick your car up, you will have to pay yourself.
Usually, a new car from Motability will sometimes take up to 12 months before you can pick it up. Check with the garage for waiting times.
Weigh up the cost if it will be a long time. Maybe consider a second-hand car with an adaption you have to pay for while you wait? You should not have to pay more for car insurance under the disability act!
If you are getting adaptions for the first time, ask Motability about familiarisation lessons. You normally have 3 x 2 hours where you pay the disability driving instructor, send the receipt to Motability who then refund you. You must have this tuition by a qualified disability driving instructor. Book as soon as you can, disability driving instructors are very thin on the ground and there may be a long wait. Please don’t leave it until a week before you pick your car up!
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