FAQs

No, if your doctor has said that they consider it is safe for you to drive you do not need to pass your test again. However, if you have never driven with an adaptation before, we do recommend taking driving lessons or going for a driving assessment.

Yes you should tell your insurers, although your premium should not be affected. You should also advise the DVLA.

If you are ordering your adaptation on a new Motability vehicle, funding is often applied as standard to reduce the customer contribution or you can apply for a Motability grant. If you already own your vehicle, or you are getting a new retail vehicle, please visit the funding section of our website or contact us for information. Current guide prices can be found on our website or please contact us to discuss costs further.

If you are a Motability customer there is no need for you to have the adaptations removed. If you are not a Motability customer and would like your adaptations removing, please contact your local installer for a quotation. For your safety we do not reuse any parts from driving adaptations that have already been fitted. It usually takes less than an hour to reinstate a vehicle. Note, new plastics or a pedal may be required.

Our hand controls and left foot accelerators are designed specifically for each make/model of vehicle. For your safety, we do not consent to the transfer of primary driving adaptations. (ie. any adaptations linked to the brake and/or accelerator). Transfer of primary adaptations is not permitted on Motability vehicles.

For your safety and that of other road users, we only supply most adaptations through our fully trained network of installers who carry relevant public liability insurance. We have a network of more than 70 fully trained installers throughout the UK. We do supply some of the smaller, secondary control adaptations for customers to fit themselves and these can be purchased on our online shop. However, if you are a Motability customer your adaptations will have been fitted prior to handover of your vehicle. For details of your nearest installer contact us on 0161 430 2151.

If you are having a new Motability vehicle, the adaptations must be installed before handover. Many installers work on a mobile basis so will visit the dealership, or your home address if you already have your vehicle, to carry out the installation. Please check with the installer of your adaptations as some adaptations may require workshop facilities.

It is quite rare for anything to go wrong, however all Jeff Gosling Ltd adaptations carry a full 3 year parts and labour warranty. We recommend that you contact your installer if you have any concerns about your adaptations.

You may have the absence of a limb due to a congenital condition or following an amputation.

Some limb absence may not affect driving, for example if you have an amputation of the left leg you will be able to drive an automatic vehicle without any adaptations. Other limb absence will require adaptations to the vehicle to assist with driving.

We would recommend an assessment by a driving assessment centre to determine the best way for you to drive. We can also discuss adaptation options with you to provide information around the types of adaptations you may want to try when visiting an assessment centre.

When having any driving adaptations installed, we would always recommend an automatic vehicle. Many adaptations cannot be installed on to a manual transmission vehicle.

If returning to driving following an amputation, you must inform the DVLA. We would always recommend advising the DVLA and your insurers if there is a change to your driving circumstances.

Adaptation Examples

There are many different combinations of adaptations to consider, some are listed below but if you would like to discuss your specific requirements, please contact us and we would be happy to chat to you about the different adaptations available.

Single upper limb absence:
Assistance with vehicle operations such as steering, stalk functions, and the handbrake are key things to consider if you are driving with an upper limb absence.
A simple steering aid may be suitable, or a remote control device which combines a steering aid with the secondary functions such as indicators may be preferable.
If you would need assistance with operating a conventional handbrake, we would recommend purchasing a vehicle with an electric handbrake where you can operate the switch with your other hand. If the vehicle you have has a conventional handbrake, it may be that an easy release handbrake will assist.
It is also important to consider things such as ignition placement before purchasing a vehicle. We would always recommend sitting in the vehicle and ensuring that you can use all required buttons and functions.

Single lower limb (right leg) absence:
Assistance with operating the brake and accelerator pedal would be required if you are considering driving following a right leg amputation.

Two main adaptations to consider are the hand control or a left foot accelerator. If you have previously driven a vehicle in the conventional way, the hand control would be the preferred adaptation to consider. If you are learning to drive, a left foot accelerator may be suitable but, in all instances, we would recommend a driving assessment to determine the best way for you to drive. Both adaptations are often used in conjunction with other adaptations to improve the driving experience.

Lower limb absence:
It is not only driving that some people need to consider, but also accessing the vehicle they want to drive or be a passenger in. If you have difficulties reaching the vehicle seat directly from a wheelchair or from standing due to the gap created by the sill, the transfer plate can provide extra support to assist with transition into the vehicle.

Dwarfism is a condition characterised by being an adult, typically of 147cm or shorter, which can also be known as restricted growth or short stature. This can be proportionate, where your limbs are the expected size compared to the rest of your body, or disproportionate, where parts of your body grow differently (e.g. short limbs compared to the rest of your body).

It may be that restricted growth could cause difficulties in some aspects of driving.

We would recommend an assessment by a driving assessment centre to determine the best way for you to drive. We can also discuss adaptation options with you to provide information around the types of adaptations you may want to try when visiting an assessment centre.

When having any driving adaptations installed, we would always advise an automatic vehicle. Some adaptations can only be installed into an automatic vehicle.

We would always recommend advising the DVLA and your insurers if there is a change to your driving circumstances.We would always recommend advising the DVLA and your insurers if there is a change to your driving circumstances.

Adaptation Examples:

There are many different combinations of adaptations to consider, some are listed below but if you would like to discuss your specific requirements, please contact us and we would be happy to chat to you about the different adaptations available.

Difficulty reaching the pedals:
Pedal extensions attach to the existing pedals to bring them nearer to the seat for ease of reach. Most vehicles can have pedal extensions fitted. The standard length of a pedal extension is between 1 to 4 inches but if longer pedal extensions are required, this may be possible. Pedal extensions are assessed with each customer and their vehicle to determine the required length.

Hand Controls
Hand controls are also a common adaptation for those who have difficulties reaching the pedals, this is especially common if someone has shorter legs but has reach with their arms.

Difficulty reaching the handbrake:
Nowadays, where possible, as there is so much variation, we would recommend choosing a vehicle that has a suitable handbrake as standard. If you have a vehicle with a conventional handbrake, an easy release handbrake, may assist with extending the lever enough to be reached.

Difficulty reaching the secondary controls:
A remote control device may be helpful if using a steering aid helps with reach to the steering wheel and also the functions ordinarily found on the stalks around the steering wheel. On some occasions, a simple stalk crossover arm, or extension to the stalk may be beneficial.

Little People UK are a charity that offer support to people with dwarfism so they may also be able to offer advice on driving.

The government website advises that you must stop driving immediately following a stroke and you can only begin to drive again once you are advised it is safe to do so by a health professional. https://www.gov.uk/stroke-and-driving

Some people will fully recover from a stroke whereas others may have some lasting effects. It is therefore important that you follow professional advice and ensure you are safe and legal to drive for your circumstances.

Once advised you can begin to consider driving again, you may be requested to undergo a driving assessment at a driving assessment centre. This will be to check if you can return to driving, and if so whether that will be in the conventional way or whether adaptations will be required. Driving assessment centres assess both physical and cognitive abilities.

When having any driving adaptations installed, we would always advise an automatic vehicle. Some adaptations can only be installed into an automatic vehicle.

We would always recommend advising the DVLA and your insurers if there is a change to your driving circumstances. You must advise the DVLA of certain conditions so your circumstances should be checked with a medical professional or driving assessor.

Adaptation Examples

There are different adaptations to consider if there is a physical effect following a stroke, some are listed below but if you would like to discuss your specific requirements, please contact us and we would be happy to chat to you about the different adaptations available.

Loss or restricted use of one arm:

A steering aid may assist in operating the steering wheel with one hand. The steering aid may need to be part of a remote control device so that you can also operate the secondary functions from the steering aid.

Loss or restricted use of right leg:
A left foot accelerator could be the required adaptation if operating the brake and accelerator pedals with your right foot has become difficult. This product is only recommended where someone is new to driving or there are no other suitable adaptations. We would also recommend that you have read the safety message on our left foot accelerator product page and also undergone an assessment before choosing this adaptation. If you have restricted use of your right leg, but no restrictions in using your upper body, we would always recommend the hand control over the left foot accelerator.

Spinal cord injuries can affect loss of movement and sensation to different degrees and therefore returning to driving will be different for each individual.

A spinal cord injury in the back will most likely result in paraplegia and affect the movement and sensation of the lower half of the body, especially the legs.

The most common adaptation to consider if use of the legs is limited is a hand control. This adaptation converts the brake and accelerator pedals to be operated using the hand. When having this adaptation installed, there are many optional extras which may also be beneficial.

A transfer plate may also be helpful for assisting with transfer into the vehicle as this adaptation helps to bridge the gap between a wheelchair and the seat. Some people would also have a sill protector to prevent damage to the vehicle when approaching in a wheelchair.

A spinal cord injury in the neck will most likely result in tetraplegia and affect the movement and sensation in the arms and the legs as well as the core. It may still be possible to drive but complex adaptations would be required.

In all instances, we would recommend an assessment by a driving assessment centre to determine the best way for you to drive. We can also discuss adaptation options with you to provide information around the types of adaptations you may want to try when visiting an assessment centre.

When having any driving adaptations installed, we would always advise an automatic vehicle. Some adaptations can only be installed into an automatic vehicle.

We would always recommend advising the DVLA and your insurers if there is a change to your driving circumstances. If you have a spinal cord injury, you must notify the DVLA and your insurers.

If you have Multiple Sclerosis (MS) you will need to inform the DVLA and your insurance company. Symptoms of MS can vary from person to person so it is likely that you will require an assessment to determine whether you are fit to drive or not.

If you are unable to continue to drive as normal, the driving assessment centre may determine that you can drive with the addition of some adaptations. The recommended adaptations will vary depending on the assessment.

Fairly commonly, a hand control is often chosen if your symptoms include numbness in the feet, or fatigue in the legs. Some MS diagnoses result in symptoms that come and go. Nearly all adaptations enable the vehicle to be driven with the adaptation or conventionally. Often in these instances, users will switch between using their feet to drive or the hand control, especially on a longer journey, to assist with reducing fatigue.

When having any driving adaptations installed, we would always advise an automatic vehicle. Some adaptations can only be installed into an automatic vehicle.

Manual cars used to dominate the market but automatic cars are more common now with the requirement for automatic transmission in vehicles with any form of electric engine.

As manual cars are still being built, and as we also adapt older vehicles, we do still get asked about adapting manual vehicles regularly.

Not all types of adaptations require an automatic car but many of them do.

If the adaptation is nothing to do with driving, such as a boot hoist or transfer plate, then the transmission of the car will not matter.

If the adaptation is related to driving the vehicle, then in most cases, a car with automatic transmission will be required. Some of the most common adaptations we get asked about are shown below but if you want to know about any other adaptations, please get in touch.

Do I need an automatic car for hand controls?

An automatic car is required when driving with brake/accelerator hand controls due to the additional functions you are taking on with your hands. As you are converting the braking and accelerating to be done with your hand, you need to reduce the hand operations by removing the requirement to change gear. This is relevant even if you are comfortable still being able to operate a clutch pedal with your left leg. As you will be using your right hand on the brake and accelerator hand control, and left hand for steering, the requirement to take your hand off the wheel to change gear can leave you without control of the vehicle and therefore a hand control will always be installed on an automatic.

Do I need an automatic car for a left foot accelerator?

An automatic car is required when driving with a left foot accelerator. The additional left hand side accelerator pedal will take up the space within the footwell where the clutch pedal would be situated in a manual car. Therefore, it is not only not possible to use your left foot for both the accelerator and clutch but there would not be the physical space to have a left foot accelerator fitted in a manual car.

Do I need an automatic car for a steering aid?

Steering aids are often installed alongside hand controls or left foot accelerators so are commonly installed on automatic vehicles but they can be fitted as an individual adaptation to a manual car.

Although adaptations often enable people to continue driving following a change in their circumstances, there are times when stopping driving may be the right choice for your safety or the safety of those around you. This is more often the case with cognitive changes such as slower reaction times. Knowing when an adaptation will assist or when it is time to give up driving can be a difficult decision to make, especially if driving is a big part of your life. We would recommend getting a professional opinion through a driving assessment.

What is a driving assessment?

A driving assessment is designed to help you understand the best ways for you to drive. It gives you opportunity to discuss any difficulties you have with conventional driving and gain expert advice on the best ways forward.

An assessment would start with a quick initial interview where things such as medical history, current medication, and eyesight would be discussed. This is followed by a small physical assessment, and where applicable, a cognitive assessment.

A conversation would be held around your current driving situation and then you will be taken out on the road in a suitable car.

Before setting off in the car, you will take the usual eyesight test which is taken before a driving test. You will then drive a specified route guided by the assessor. During this route, the assessor will be concentrating on your ability to control the vehicle, your awareness and your responsiveness.

What happens at the end of a driving assessment?

1. The driver is classified as ‘safe’ and they can continue to drive as they have been.

2. The driver is classified as ‘unsafe’ and so the DVLA will be notified. The likely outcome of this is that their driving licence will be revoked.

3. The driver is classed as requiring some ‘re-training' where a few issues may have been noticed but it is believed these can be worked on with some further lessons or training.

The re-training category would also be used if the driver can continue to drive but requires adaptations which they have not previously used.

Who do I contact for a driving assessment?

There are many driving assessment centres around the UK. These are all listed on the Driving Mobility website (www.drivingmobility.org.uk). If you are referred for a driving assessment by certain organisations (e.g. your doctor, Motability, the DVLA) it will be funded. If you want to self-refer there will be a charge which can be advised by your nearest centre.

Adaptations can be installed into a car whether it is brand new or used. We carry out adaptation installations through car dealerships when someone is purchasing a brand-new car or a used car that is just new to them. If you already have your car and there is no car dealership involved, we can arrange that work directly with you as long as your current car is suitable for the adaptation you require.

Many of our adaptations can be installed on-site and so often your local adaptation fitter will come to your home address to carry out the work. There may be limitations on on-site installations due to the difficulty of some adaptations or due to the suitability of location for the work to take place.

It is important that the engineer has a safe place to work, and the space required to carry out the job. This means that a private driveway with room to fully open the car doors would often be the minimum requirements for the installation to take place at your home address. Sometimes people arrange with a local neighbour to use their driveway if they do not have their own space.

If the work being carried out involves electrical work, the adaptation fitter may also require an undercover area to protect the wiring in the event of adverse weather conditions.

If you do not have a suitable location, or for certain adaptation and vehicle combinations, you may need to take the car to the adaptation installers workshop for the work to be carried out.

To discuss the availability and cost of adaptations on your car, please get in touch with us or with your local installer.