Driving With Hand Controls
Certified Hand Control License Information
Hand Controls are prescribed by a Doctor through a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (CDRS). Mobility Auto Group will need to work off of the Prescription when ordering and installing any Hand Control or electronic devise in your vehicle.
For reference, the most basic Hand Control set up (depending on the installation vehicle) will range from:
$2,300 – $3,400
Below are the certified facilities Mobility Auto Group currently works with:
Craig Hospital Driving Program
3425 S. Clarkson Street
Englewood, CO 80113
Contact: (303) 789-8000
If you are a Patient of Craig Hospital, you can work on getting your Hand Control License with their team.
Health Promotion Partners
2701 West 84th Ave,
Suite 133
Westminster, CO 80031
Contact: (720)441-6200
Other drivers can apply for the Health Promotion Partners Driving Certification program.
Drive With Confidence
8am -5pm Monday to Friday
Contact: (303) 908-6322
Or the Drive With Confidence Driving program.
ADED Driver Rehabilitation Database
To find a CDRS in your area, please refer to the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED)’s website directory.
Steps To Driving With Hand Controls
Information about training and acquiring your Hand Control Certificate
When someone can no longer use their legs or it becomes too difficult to drive a vehicle, driving with Adaptive Equipment is crucial to maintaining independence. While getting back on the road is a huge motivator, it can be difficult to map out the best path to get there as each situation is unique. There is a great article titled Staying Behind The Wheel by Elise Oberliesen on the Momentum Magazine Website which chronicles one woman’s journey to get back to driving while living with MS.
Mobility Auto Group will perform the actual vehicle modifications and equipment install, but this is not the primary component of getting out and being able to drive. The lead up to that point requires driving rehabilitation and certification to ensure safety on the road. The prospective driver will need a doctor’s referral and a valid driver’s license to start. This may require a temporarily changed “rehabilitation permit” for the training, depending on your states guidelines. You will need to contact an Occupational Therapist (OT) and Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS) in order to find out the requirements for your area.
Driving rehabilitation programs generally consist of the following four (4) components which will lead to being able to have a Hand Control certification on your driver’s license:
- Clinical Evaluation. An OT will assesses an individual’s vision, cognition, range of motion, strength and reaction time. These are all critical aspects of safe driving.
- Referrals for Additional Assistance from other Specialists. If the clinician notices visual, cognitive or physical limitations during the evaluation, they will refer people to specialists. About 25 percent of drivers receive referrals, according to the article.
- Driving Evaluation and Training, done by a CDRS. A Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist will assess how well drivers do during actual time behind the wheel and will acquaint drivers with adaptive controls in the car as needed. This can be the longest part of the process but is critical to ensuring all the areas the driver needs assistance with are identified and adaptive equipment is prescribed.
- Finally: Vehicle Modification and Equipment Install. Based on the recommendations made during the evaluation, drivers will receive a “prescription” from their CDRS for the specific equipment needed. This prescription will include additional information for Mobility Auto Group to install.
The above describes the best case scenario but this will not always be the case, an individual may not pass the evaluation and training with a CDRS, and is no longer considered a safe driver.
This decision will be a difficult one but is important to have with family and friends to discuss alternative transportation options. Independence is always the goal at Mobility Auto Group, your “Partner in Independence” in the state of Colorado.
Contact us for more information:
