Driving
For many people with a disability the most suitable method of transport is to have their own vehicle to travel in, either as a driver or as a passenger. Having a disability and being a car driver are not incompatible. For instance, many wheelchair users drive cars with the aid of devices such as transfer hoists for getting safely behind the wheel, lifting and storage devices for stowing the wheelchair while driving and modified car controls to enable a person with lower or upper limb impairments to safely drive a car. This section looks at a number of issues that a disabled person may need to consider when choosing to buy their own vehicle.
Before you begin to learn to drive on public roads in Ireland, you must hold a Learner Driving Permit covering the category of vehicle you wish to drive. A theory test certificate must be obtained before a first learner permit will be granted. You can apply for your licence to your local authority, such as county council or City Corporation, at the local Motor Tax Office, using Form D201.
Applicants with a disability, or anybody over 70 years of age, must also submit a medical report on Form D501, also available from the local office, with their application. Alternatively, you can download a medical report (Form D501) (pdf). If an applicant has a deteriorating condition then a licence will be granted for one, two or possibly three years, rather than the usual ten year maximum. On renewal of this, a further medical report will be required.
Visit Citizens Information for more information about Driver Licencing.
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Driver tests in Ireland are carried out directly by the Department of Transport to a standard that complies with the EU Directive on driving licences. Testing is conducted out of driving test centres situated throughout the country and where possible, your test will be arranged for the centre you nominate on your application form.
A driving test is designed to determine that you:
- know the rules of the road,
- possess the knowledge and skill to drive competently in accordance with those rules,
- drive with proper regard for the safety and convenience of other road users.
Driving test facilities for motorists with a disability
If you have a hearing impairment you may have an interpreter accompany you for this part of the test. Your interpreter may not be your driving instructor and they cannot accompany you on the practical part of your test. The tester may show written instructions for this part of the test and display them as appropriate; the tester may also use basic sign language. You should also note that if the vehicle you present for the test is adapted to suit a disability (eg it has additional controls), this will be noted on your full driving licence. If you have special needs, you should indicate this on the application form for your driving test so that any necessary arrangements will be in place when you attend for your test.
Visit Citizens Information for more information driving tests for disabled drivers in Ireland.
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These organisations provide driving lessons from their premises and from their regional centres.
- The Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland
Ballindine
Claremorris
Co Mayo
Tel: 094-936 4054
Email: info@ddai.ie
Website: www.ddai.ie/driving-disability/driving-lessons/
(lessons available in Ballindine only) - The Irish Wheelchair Association
National Mobility Centre
John Sullivan Resource Centre
Clane
Co Kildare
Tel: 045-893 094/5
Email: maats@iwa.ie
Website: www.iwa.ie/services/tuition.aspx
(lessons available in Clontarf, Clane, Navan, Mullingar, Kilkenny, Wexford, Cork, Cashel, Limerick, Ennis, Galway, Tralee, Carrick-on-Shannon)
Several commercial driving schools have adapted cars for disabled drivers. These include:
- Southern Mobility
'Tomaro'
Lisnahorna
Whitescross
Cork
Tel: 021-4398527 or 087 930 4335
Website: www.southernmobility.ie - Smart Choice School of Motoring
Cappagh
Co Tipperary
Tel: 062-75357 or 086 3821437 - Catherine Kinsella School of Motoring
Monglass
Caim
Enniscorthy
Co Wexford
Tel: 053-9355687 or 087 6995603 - Bobby Dunphy School of Motoring
New Ross
Co Wexford
Tel: 051-425124
Website: www.bobbydunphyschoolofmotoring.com
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You may be faced with the question, 'Can I drive?' or 'What adaptive equipment do I need to enable me to drive?' A number of organisations provide services offering information and advice to help find driving solutions to suit an individual's specific needs. There is a charge for these services but sometimes grant aid is available through the local health services.
Driving assessments are available from:
- the Disabled Driver's Association,
- the Irish Wheelchair Association,
- Transport and Mobility Consultants-Ireland.
Whilst there is currently no standardisation of driving assessment in Ireland, a group of European experts are in the process of developing this standard and it is envisaged that this standard will be available to all driving assessment centre's in the near future.
- The Disabled Driver's Association of Ireland
The Disabled Driver's Association (DDAI) is a national charity providing services and information to people with disabilities who wish to drive, or travel as a passenger. It provides assessments and offers advice to people with disabilities on all aspects of transport and mobility. The DDAI has a driving assessment unit and a number of adapted cars for driver training. The driving assessment unit provides detailed measurements of a client's steering strength, braking strength, reaction time and decision making skills, and also looks at vision to ensure a potential driver meets all requirements to drive safely. Clients have the opportunity to test drive a variety of cars with adaptations fitted. Following assessment, the DDAI can then advise clients on the most suitable adaptive driving equipment for their needs and provide details of car adaptation firms. There is a charge for this service.
For more information, contact:
The Disabled Driver's Association
Ballindine
Claremorris
Co Mayo
Tel: 094-936 4054
Email: info@ddai.ie
Website: www.ddai.ie
- The Irish Wheelchair Association
The Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) offers driving assessment and tuition to people with disabilities throughout Ireland. It has several centres where it provides this service and you should contact your local IWA office to establish what services are available to drivers and passengers in your area. Assessments are usually carried out at regional offices, normally take one to two hours and are carried out by occupational therapists and driving instructors.
There is a cost for this service. Clients have the opportunity to test drive a number of cars with adaptations fitted. The assessment and tuition service is open to anyone with a physical disability and is not confined to wheelchair users.
For more information, contact:
The National Mobility Centre
Irish Wheelchair Association
Clane
Co Kildare
Tel: 045-893 094/5
Email: maats@iwa.ie
Website: www.iwa.ie/services/motoring
Transport & Mobility Consultants-Ireland
Transport & Mobility Consultants-Ireland (TMC-I) provides driving assessments and advice on all aspects of transport and mobility for people with disabilities. Driving assessments are typically carried out at a client's home, at a rehabilitation hospital or at the car conversion company's premises. Impartial advice is given on vehicles, adaptive driving controls and driver rehabilitation sessions. There is a cost for this service.
Clients have the opportunity to test drive an adapted car at TMC-I with automatic transmission and fitted with adaptations, such as hand controls, left-side accelerator and various steering spinners.
For more information, contact:
Transport & Mobility Consultants-Ireland
19 Glenmalure Golf Club
Greenane
Rathdrum
Co Wicklow
Tel: 0404-43854
Mobile: 087 263 5025
Email: tonyregan@ireland.com
Website: www.transportandmobility.ie
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Another issue to consider when buying a car is car insurance which is a legal requirement in Ireland.The Irish Insurance Federation insists that disabled drivers are not charged extra based on their disability. Some insurance brokers have discounted deals with insurance companies and it really can pay to shop around. A company with much experience in this area is:
First Ireland
Rooney Gallagher
396 North Circular Road
Dublin 7
Tel: 01-882 0800
Email: quote@firstireland.ie
Website: www.firstireland.ie
If you have difficulty obtaining car insurance, you should contact:
Irish Insurance Federation
Insurance House
39 Molesworth Street
Dublin 2
Tel: 01-676 1820
Fax: 01-676 1943
Email: fed@iif.ie
It is worth noting if you are a new driver that your family insurance company may offer you a better deal by going onto an existing family policy. Often this is the only way many young new drivers can get insurance. Also, if you are a newly disabled driver, you must notify your insurance company of a new or worsening disability, or if there is a 'change in your health'. If not declared, they may not pay out on any claims in the future if it is considered you withheld information.
Visit Citizens Information for more information on motor insurance in Ireland.
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Buying a car can be a huge expense and cause people a lot of problems. It is strongly recommended that you shop around for the 'best deal' for yourself. Almost all motor manufacturers offer discounts to disabled drivers who are in receipt of the Primary Medical Certificate.
This discount is approximately 3% and is separate to any deal done between the purchaser and the garage. The best advice seems to be:
- check the discount available to you
- establish if the discount is included in 'extras' such as power steering and automatic transmission
- establish if the discounts are included before or after the VAT/VRT rebates.
You should choose your car carefully and make sure it suits your needs, and the needs of other family members who might use it. Things to bear in mind are:
- door widths - the opening width of the door should be checked for ease of access (two door models usually have bigger doors for better access and egress and allow easier storage for a wheelchair)
- sill heights (inside and outside)
- all-round visibility - a consideration particularly if neck movement is limited
- height of the boot from the ground
- storage space in the boot and in the back seat for mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers etc
- headroom and legroom - particularly if long journeys may have to be undertaken
- leg room at driver's footwell
- ease of entry and egress
- ease of transferring over from passenger side to drivers side, and back again if required
- seat adjustments - should be versatile and easy to perform (quick release levers are a necessity for some)
- cost of adaptations
- cost of extras eg automatic transmission, electric windows
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There is an increasing number of firms in Ireland that manufacture and install adaptations in vehicles for people with disabilities. These can be simple steering attachments or hand controls for accelerating and braking for disabled drivers, to lower floored vehicles and converted wheelchair passenger vehicles for people who wish to travel in their wheelchair.
You should always check prices with the adaptation firms and shop around for the best value. It is advisable to get a written quote before committing to purchase.
If you are having your vehicle fitted with hand controls to operate the accelerator and brake it is vitally important to have them made and fitted professionally for safety reasons. You may be relying on them totally for braking. Your life, and the lives of other road users, may depend on it.
Fitting hand controls is a highly skilled job in relation to the bodywork of the vehicle. Unless this is undertaken by an expert, the bodywork could be damaged and, for example, rust proofing warranties could be invalid or serious structural weakening or damage could be caused.
It is also essential to have your hand controls, and other adaptive driving equipment, regularly maintained and serviced. These are not checked as part of an NCT test, so it is up to you to take the vehicle to the adaptation firm and have them service the equipment on a regular basis. You may be putting your life and the lives of other road users at risk if you do not check for stretched cables, loose connections, worn bearings or other faults.
Hand controls are usually located to the right of the steering column, which brings the function of accelerating and braking up to your hand. This can be a fixed-level operated by push-pull or by moving up or down, or can be located so that the function can be a lateral or horizontal movement. You can also have a motorised 'assist' fitted to make the operation of accelerating and braking more easy, for example if your disability means you have a weakness in your arms. Several types of grip are also available for the lever, such as a palm grip, pronged grip, or a tripod-type grip for someone who has little or no palm or finger grip.
Steering spinners, or steering knobs, allow you to steer the car using only one hand and can be used in conjunction with hand controls.
If you have a car fitted with hand controls, you may also need to have a pedal guard fitted. A pedal guard covers the foot pedals and can be an additional safety feature for anyone whose legs or feet may go into involuntary spasm or who has limited or spasmodic control over, or feeling in, their lower limbs (including those who use artificial limbs). If this is the case, it is easy for the foot to knock against or press onto the foot pedals which could lead to an accident. It is also possible for the foot to get jammed under the foot pedals. If this happens the hand controls cannot be used and an accident could be caused. Pedal guards are easily fitted and can be removed when the car is being driven using the standard foot pedals.
This system allows several electrical secondary functions to be operated by an infrared control, similar to the type of control used on most modern televisions. Functions such as the indicators, wipers/washer, lights, horn and heater controls can be converted to this control.
This system enables the function of the clutch to be operated by a switch, often a touch sensitive switch located on the gear stick. This means the clutch can be controlled entirely by your hands.
This adaptation allows the function of the accelerator to be operated by the left foot. It 're-locates' the accelerator pedal to the left of the brake pedal when being driven by someone who can only use their left foot. The system also allows the vehicle to be easily changed back when the car is being used by someone using their right foot, such as another family member, friend, or a garage mechanic who occasionally needs to drive your vehicle for services and repairs. This system is only suitable when driving a car with automatic transmission.
A swivel seat is a driver or passenger seat that can be swivelled out to allow easier access and egress into and out of a vehicle. Some of these seats also allow for the chair to move forward, further out of the car, making it easier when transferring onto it from a wheelchair.
Some people who have difficulty transferring, or lifting themselves out of their wheelchair may need to use a personal hoist. These can be similar to those used in a residential setting and wheeled out to a car from your house as and when needed. Others are attached to the car, usually in the footwell at the passengers side of the car. Typically, the mechanics are then removed after use and stored in the boot.
Many people have difficulty in stowing their wheelchair in the boot or rear of their car and often have to rely on a wheelchair stowage unit, either located on the roof of a car or, if a carer is always available, fitted at the back of the vehicle. This device allows a wheelchair user to transfer into the driver's seat, fold the chair (provided they use a folding wheelchair) and, using a series of buttons, bring down a mechanic/electrical hoist that will then lift the wheelchair up, into a roof box. These are almost always sealed and weatherproof.
Many people who are of small stature or who have restricted growth, need a cushion to lift them up to a more comfortable and safe driving position. Special seats or booster cushions can be added to an existing car seat to facilitate this and can usually be easily secured using the car's seat belt system. (See information on using cushions below.)
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In a car accident, a driver's head can sometimes hit the steering wheel or the front windscreen causing serious injury or even death. An airbag is designed to inflate and cushion the head to prevent it from hitting the steering wheel.
Drivers with disabilities often use a steering attachment to assist them when turning the wheel. This can be a spinner, a peg or sometimes a three pronged grip, or can be a system used in conjunction with an infrared device for the secondary controls.
There was some concern that if these devices are used in conjunction with an airbag, injury could be caused if the steering aid is dislodged or loosened when the airbag is inflated.
The UK's Department of Transport commissioned research at the Transport Research Laboratory to establish any problems when using airbags and steering attachments. The result of this research can be summarised as follows:
- The airbags were able to inflate fully.
- None of the steering devices were damaged, but some were pushed out of position.
- The dummy used showed no damage to its hand or arm.
- No hand or arm was trapped when the airbag was inflated.
The general advice seems to be that airbags are safe to use with steering attachments. However, steering attachments with a cross-bar going over the steering wheel should not be used, as this can impede the airbag from fully expanding, or can be detached from the steering wheel and cause serious injury if it hits the driver on the head or abdomen.
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Many people need to sit on their cushions when travelling in a vehicle, either as a driver or passenger, or sometimes when travelling in their wheelchair in a van, minibus or in a coach. Some people use their wheelchair cushion to 'lift' them when driving. Others use them for comfort or to reduce the build up of pressure.
An important aspect of using a cushion, and one that is often forgotten, is securing the cushion to the wheelchair or vehicle seat. If, during a frontal impact accident, the passenger is secured and the cushion is not, the cushion can slide under the user and force the user to be 'dropped' down into the chair and cause injury from the seat belt hitting the soft abdominal tissue and across the user's face or neck.
Securing the cushion is important and it must be secured appropriately. Using a Velcro belt is not usually enough. A strap that is secured around the back of the seat is best. Another alternative for a driver or passenger of small stature is to use a child's booster cushion. This should be correctly anchored using the vehicle seat belt system and meet current safety standards.
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