The vehicle industry naturally skews toward accessibility and autonomy as time goes by and manufacturers hone their machines. Transmissions have become automatic. Powered steering is now standard.
Technology keeps taking things further, making advancements for convenience that actually provide wider accessibility. Keyless entry and cruise control aren’t enough, but they open up the door to customisation. You can further customise your vehicle by installing hand controls for disabled drivers.
While you’ll have to notify the DVLA and your insurers of the change, you won’t have to retake your drive test. Read on to find out why achieving driving independence might be easier than you think.
Primary Hand Controls for Disabled Drivers
Primary hand control adaptations deal with acceleration, braking, and steering. These can be implemented on both manual and automatic cars.
Brook Millers technicians will minimise cutting and drilling during installation to keep both safety and aesthetics in mind.
Mechanical hand controls for cars are the old standard. They operate by basic physics- fun science stuff. They’re as cost-effective as they are reliable.
The push/pull brake and accelerator allows you to pull a lever for acceleration and push it to brake. Similarly, when using a bar and plunger system, you’ll push a bar for the brake and press a plunger with your thumb to accelerate.
There are also a number of electronic accelerator controls available. A ring interface, installed over or under the steering wheel, allows you to either push or pull along a ring for acceleration. Trigger systems keep accessibility at your fingertips, requiring a gentle tug of the index finger.
You can amend steering in a variety of ways. Steering balls and pegs can be operated with one hand and reduce the strength needed to steer. Or you can replace your standard steering wheel with one smaller in diameter.
Secondary Car Hand Controls for Disabled Drivers
The control of secondary functions like wipers, indicators, and headlights is also adaptable. These functions can be accessed via touch screen or voice. They can also be converted to foot switches.
You can replace your handbrake entirely with one that is easy to release. Parking sensors are becoming standard on new cars and can be installed on older models.
Bespoke Adaptations
Because Mother Nature’s made a point of making us all unique, variety is key. You can fit your disability vehicle to meet your very specific needs.
You could get pedal guards, hoists, swivel seats, and indicator extensions. Or you could get none of them. You could get a powered wheelchair that integrates seamlessly into your vehicle and into your life.
Electronic controls are making it easier than ever to fine-tune your vehicle to your daily needs.
Don’t Confine Yourself to Feeling Confined
If you’re considering having hand controls for disabled drivers installed in your current vehicle, we can help. If you’re looking for a new or used WAV on the Motability Scheme, we can help with that too. You don’t even have to be the driver, as Motability allows you to nominate up to two.
Contact us to book a demonstration in your home or come visit our showroom.
41 Comments
David
Looking for push pull hand controls for astra 2017 price plz
Ben Westbrook
Hi David,
Our Push/Pull hand controls start at £550 without the indicator switch.
Please let me know if you would like anymore information.
Thanks
Ben
Nadeem Ahmed
I am looking for a friend who is disabled as his legs do not function at all. Looking for a device which can be fitted into his car and he has hand control for breaks and acclerator.
Ben
Hi Nadeem,
I think some Push/Pull hand controls would be best for your friend. Please have a look on the hand controls page on the website or call into store for some more details.
Link Below:
https://www.brookmiller.co.uk/vehicle-adaptations/mechanical-hand-controls/
Thanks
Stephanie Kaye
If you have a push pull without indicator installed can you have it added at a later date? Wish I had got one on mine, was told SMax too difficult to do. Find indicating very difficult whilst driving now.
Ben
Hi Stephanie,
Usually an indicator can be retro fitted to hand controls.
This would depend if there is a kit available for the indicator switch to work with your vehicle.
PLease can you give me the vehicle Reg and i can check for you.
Thanks
Russell Campbell
Hi just need a price for push-pull accelerator brake ring a 2013 Subaru outback diesel automatic can you do this what is the cost? Thank you regards Russell
Ben
Hi,
Push/Pull hand controls start from £550 fitted.
Thanks
Ben
Julie
Could you give me a rough idea of price for a Ford Focus 2018 (new model) Titanium X please. For push/pull controls only. Thanks.
Ben
Hi,
Push/Pull hand controls start at £550 fitted.
Thanks
Ben
Frances
We need push pull accelerate and brake as my husband is having right lower leg amputation. He is not able to get mobility car. How much damage will this do to my car.
Ben
Hi,
There are a few options available, you might be best calling into our showroom so we can show you.
Thanks
Ben
Peter Morrison
can steering controls be fitted to cars with lane assist and how many voice controlled options are there. My car is 18 years old and I had the controls fitted when it was new. I can only use my right arm and leg.
Seema Rajani
Hello …
I think I need an option to add hand controls to my automatic 2005 Honda CR-V . My legs are failing me ( right leg worse)
I am not on any mobility scheme , but I need to make a change .
Can you advise me /help me / also advise costs ? Please ?
Seema
Ben
Hi Seema,
Push/Pull Brake & Accelerator Hand controls start at £680 fitted.
If you would like to give us a call with more info i would be able to help.
Thanks
Ben
Carson
I have a Mercedes vito 111 compact. Has been adapted to disabled use. Is an auto. But all button pressed. Park. Reverse. Drive. And the handbrake is hold down a button and its comes on. Looking to sell the vito. Or get it converted back to the auto gearstick which is still currently there. How do I go about this?. Thanks
Kris
Hi Carson,
So probably the first step in reverting it back to standard would be to contact the original converter. But please bear in mind that it is more than likely an even bigger job to revert back than it was to originally install.
Hope that helps.
Robert
Is it feasible to have hand/brake controls on a manual transmission car? i.e. Vauxhall Mokka
Ben
Hi,
We can only hand controls to automatic vehicles.
Thanks
Brook Miller
George Joseph
Hi, I am a disabled driver. My problem is type two diabetes and peripheral neuropathy. I am finding it difficult to operate the brake pedal. Can I get a hand-operated brake pedal adaptation? At present, my car is a Nissan Juke. I intend to change to a Dacia Sandro step way in June. If I buy a kit for Nissan Juke, can it be transferred to Dacia Sandro when I change? What will be the cost of the kit including installation
avesta
Excellent article. Ӏ will be dealing with a few of these issues as well..
marion
It says above:
Primary hand control adaptations deal with acceleration, braking, and steering. These can be implemented on both manual and automatic cars.
Has this now changed?
Oojimmyflip
@Marion, ive just called them and they say they have never done an adaptation to a Manual car. so im waiting for a call back to confirm.
Paul Lambert
I have a Citroen Berlingo 2018 auto..
I have no functional use of my left hand and arm. I need adaptions to use the indicator,lights . It came with a steering wheel ball. Any idea of the price ? I live BH65Pz Dorset
Kris
Hi, thank you for your enquiry.
You are a long way from us but we have had a look and the best company for you to contact would be http://chapmancarcare.co.uk/
Thanks,
Brook Miller Mobility
Oojimmyflip
@Marion, just got a call back, apparently it would be possible to do an adaptation to a manual if an assessment was carried out first and suggested a company called William Merritt to carry out the assessment..
David Smith
I have lost the use of my legs through an operation and I have a manual Peugeot 508 car is it possible to have this manual car adapted to hand controls or will I have to sell it and buy an automatic to have adapted.
Kris
Hi David, good question. We get asked this a lot. The short answer is yes, you would need an automatic. The main issue would be not having the ability to use the clutch pedal on a manual vehicle.
Hope this helps.
Rob Ambridge
Hi, my partner has trouble with Sciatica – struggling with foot accelerator – considering accelerator hand controls
She isn’t disabled, does she had be registered to have this facility
Is it part of the DVLA that she has to be have this?
Kris
Hi, Thanks for your question. You don’t have to be registered disabled to have an adaptation on your vehicle. The difference is you will have to pay VAT on any work done.
Hope that helps. If you require anymore help feel free to give us a call.
Sarah Silberston
Looking to adapt a car for my son who is paraplegic. Can he just have push/pull accelerator/brake adaptations, or does he need to have an indicator switch & steering ball to be able to take a driving test (he has good upper body strength)?
Ben
Hi Sarah, it is entirely personal preference if you have an indicator fitted or not, i would always recommend a steering ball but again that is also personal preference. I would advise having a driving assessment at your local assessment centre (we recommend William Merritt in Leeds) and they will tell you exactly what he needs. You can also try out adaptations there as well. Their number is 0113 350 8989. Whatever they recommend for you we will be able to fit.
Sue Saunders
Can I ask, how long do driving controls last for? If I have them for 6-7 years in my car, should they be changed regularly? Or can I swap them over? Thanks
Ben
Hi Sue, They can last longer than 7 years but if you like we can check them over for you. Each kit is designed for each specific vehicle so they would only fit on a vehicle the same make and model.
Thanks,
Ben
Brad
My wife has a Vauxhall Mokka and has arthritis in her left hand. She cannot release the handbrake and hasn’t drove for about a year. Is there a device to aid her? The handbrake button is on the top of the handle.
Ben
Hi Brad, Please can you send a picture of the hand brake lever to ben@brookmiller.com and we will see if we can help. Thanks.
Chris Walsh
Hi.
I have had J.G. hand controls fitted to my 2 previous cars BMW 1 SERIES and Mercedes A class by yourselves, and very successful. Unfortunately when i got my present car KIA XCEED you felt unable to fit them (i think it was because it’s a hybrid?0 so we had to go direct to J.G. in Manchester but it has never been comfortable for my wife (able bodied} to drive her foot catches on the bracket. We went back with it but they said it wouldn’t adjust. but weren’t very helpful. We’ve persevered with it but it isn’t good. I must say the after care from yourselves with the other cars was first class! we will change the car next spring but don’t want the same problem.Is there any way of finding the most suitable cars to have converted in the small hatchback range without making the same mistake.
Yours hopefully Chris Walsh (Halifax}
Kris
Hi Chris,
Ben is currently away on annual leave and he is the one with the best knowledge when it comes to this. Drop him an email at ben@brookmiller.com and I’m sure he will do his best to help on his return.
Stephen Benson
Dear Sirs
We need to adapt our car for my wife who has lost the use of her left hand and arm.
We have an automatic car but the controls are in the centre between the seats so we need to be able to have a gear control on the right side of the steering wheel. Similarly we will need indicator controls on the right side and a steering wheel knob. The ignition button is on the left but just reachable however if it’s possible to move it to the right it would be preferable. The car is a BMW X2.
Thank you.
Regards
Stephen Benson
Ben
Hi Stephen,
Thank you for your enquiry.
These adaptations aren’t something we have done before on this model so we would need to do some work and strip down the vehicle slightly to see what we can and can’t do.
Would you be able to bring the vehicle in to us? if so i will be able to quote you on spending a few hours to investigate the vehicle.
Thanks,
Ben
Jyothy
I’m a right leg amputee , I can drive automatic car with out any adaptation. Can i get a hand controlled cluch adaptation for manuel cars and please let me knowhow much cost for this adaption.