Disabled drivers may have specific concerns as compared to other drivers, but that shouldn’t stop a person from driving. If you’re disabled and wish to drive, the first step you may need to take is to be officially recognized as disabled by the state in which you live. Once you have done this, you might be required to have hand controls installed in your vehicle. Hand controls enable you to drive independently, and this kind of freedom can be useful and convenient.
Getting a Driver’s License Â
In order to drive legally, you will need to pass the driver’s test and obtain your driver’s license. Getting your driver’s license involves demonstrating that you are capable of driving safely. You may find it easier and more comfortable to drive safely if you have hand controls installed in your vehicle. Such controls are designed to meet the needs of drivers with disabilities, and they help increase your confidence when taking your driver’s test. In fact, you may be required to have hand controls installed in order to obtain a driver’s license.
Qualifying for and Installing Hand Controls Â
If you are not sure whether or not you’re qualified to use hand controls, you might call your local DMV for assistance. Otherwise, if you have been medically evaluated as disabled and have been deemed fit to drive by a rehabilitation professional, you’ll most likely be able to use hand controls legally.
You should not attempt to install hand controls in your vehicle on your own. Once you order from a reputable company, a representative should install these for you. Only a professional can install hand controls properly, and this is an essential aspect of staying safe as a disabled driver. Failure to have hand controls installed by a professional could put others on the road in danger, along with putting you and your passengers at risk.
Primary and Secondary Controls
Your vehicle may be equipped with both primary and secondary hand controls. Primary controls are for the primary functions of driving, such as steering, applying the gas, and applying the brakes. Secondary controls serve to assist with secondary functions, which include changing gears, using the turn signals, and using the windshield wipers. While secondary controls are utilized in the application of secondary driving functions, such functions are an important part of driving safely.
Who Should Use Hand Controls?
Only qualified disabled individuals should drive with hand controls. Standard drivers are taught how to drive using their feet to perform essential functions, and this could hinder them from using the hand controls in a safe manner. A vehicle equipped with hand controls can still be driven by a standard driver, but such a driver should be instructed not to use the hand controls.
Installing hand controls in your vehicle can make driving a safe and convenient possibility for you. You may need to have your vehicle modified with hand controls in order to get a driver’s license. Once you have them installed and know how to use them, hand controls can help you control your vehicle properly and with ease.
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