Can Hand Controls Be Fitted To A Manual Car?

Several impressive vehicle adaptations make it possible for people with physical disabilities and mobility issues to drive their own vehicle. Some of these adaptations are simple devices that change the dimensions of a vehicle by bringing foot pedals or the steering wheel closer. Other adaptations are high-tech electronic devices that would have been impossible to imagine only a handful of years ago.

Modern technology has made it easier than ever for people with disabilities to enjoy the freedom and independence that driving provides. New technologies are being developed every year, and vehicle adaptation options for disabled drivers are expanding all the time.

In the United States, most vehicles have automatic transmission. Most Americans believe that an automatic car is easier to drive. Today, even most newer model semi trucks, which traditionally tended to have manual gears, are fitted with automatic transmission. However, many older vehicles still have manual transmission, and a number of drivers still prefer the experience of driving a stick-shift vehicle.

Hand controls are the most common form of vehicle adaptation for disabled drivers. So what are the hand control options for manual vehicles? Can hand controls be fitted to a manual car? How much do hand controls for manual vehicles cost? How do you drive a manual hand drive car? Let’s investigate.

Dr Handicap - wheelchair
Image by stevepb on Pixabay: Hand controls are for people who do not have full use of their legs.

Who Are Hand Controls For?

Hand controls are usually used by people who, due to a physical disability, cannot use their legs and feet to operate the pedals in a vehicle.

What Are The Most Common Hand Control Adaptations?

The most common hand control adaptations are:

  • Push/pull hand controls
  • Electronic hand accelerators/brakes (trigger accelerator, over ring accelerator, under ring accelerator, ghost ring accelerator)
  • Remote control device mounted on the steering wheel that operates standard vehicle controls such as headlights, indicators, and wipers
  • Steering wheel extension
  • Steering ball mounted on the steering wheel

How Much Do Hand Controls Cost?

The cost of hand controls varies widely, depending on the type you need. Steering wheel extensions can cost as little as $50, while full electronic hand accelerator/brake systems can cost between $500 and $2000.

Does Using Hand Controls Require Special Training?

It is advisable to get special training when first using most forms of hand controls. For a new driver, or a newly disabled driver, it is best to take lessons with a driving instructor who specializes in disabled driving.

Most densely populated areas of the US have disabled driving schools. You should be able to find a driving school near you with specialist disabled driving instructors, or an independent instructor with expertise in training disabled drivers.

Can Hand Controls Be Fitted To A Manual Car?

Yes, hand controls can absolutely be fitted to a manual car. All of the most common types of hand controls mentioned above can be used on a manual vehicle. In addition, there are several adaptations that allow a disabled driver to operate a manual vehicle’s clutch with their hand.

What Is A Manual Transmission Hand Clutch Conversion?

A manual transmission hand clutch conversion enables a driver to operate the clutch on a manual vehicle with their hand. The two most common types are:

  • An infrared sensor on the gear lever that automatically depresses the clutch when the hand is placed on the gear lever
  • A “duck clutch”, which has a small lever fitted to the gear lever that enables hand control of the clutch
Dr Handicap - manual transmission
Image by RoonZ-nl on Pixabay: Most older vehicles have manual gear systems.

Who Qualifies For A Disabled Parking Permit?

Any person who does not have the ability to use their legs or feet to control a vehicle, and therefore needs to use hand controls, will qualify for a disabled parking permit.

In general, the qualifying conditions for a disabled parking permit are:

  • An inability to walk 200 ft without needing to stop to rest
  • An inability to walk without the aid of a crutch, cane, wheelchair, prosthetic device, or another person
  • A heart condition
  • Lung disease
  • Any condition that necessitates the use of a portable oxygen tank
  • Legal blindness
  • Any arthritic, orthopedic, or neurological condition that reduces mobility

What Types Of Disabled Permit Are Available?

The most common types of disabled parking permit available are:

  • Permanent disabled parking placard or license plate
  • Temporary disabled parking placard
  • Disabled Veterans license plate
  • Organizational disabled parking permit

How To Get A Disabled Parking Permit

The quickest way to get a disabled parking permit is to arrange an online telemedicine consultation with a licensed medical professional through Dr. Handicap. The medical professional will verify your disability and fill in the relevant sections of a disabled parking application form, which you can then submit to your local DMV. It is a quick and easy process.

Featured image by cocoparisienne on Pixabay

Is A Handicap Ramp Tax-Deductible?

Having a disability can add a lot of extra expenses to life. Many disabled people need to use costly equipment to help them get around. This is certainly the case when it comes to travel and driving a vehicle.

People who are disabled incur a lot of expenses that are directly related to their disability. Disabled drivers and caregivers often need to adapt their vehicles to accommodate their specific situation. Disabled people also incur extra expenses when they need to visit medical centers, doctors’ surgeries, and hospitals.

The US government takes these extra expenses into account when collecting federal tax. The equipment that a disabled person must purchase to alleviate or prevent injury is essential for them to be able to function and live their life. For this reason, a lot of medical equipment is tax-deductible.

Dr Handicap - tax calculation
Image by stevepb on Pixabay: Is a wheelchair ramp tax-deductible?

What Does ‘Tax-Deductible’ Mean?

Filing a tax return (and dealing with taxes in general) can be quite confusing for most people. The federal tax system is complicated and sometimes convoluted. But understanding the tax system, and your entitlements within it, can save you a lot of money.

The term ‘tax-deductible’ is important to understand. When an expense is tax-deductible it means that you can list it as an essential expense. These essential expenses are subtracted from your gross income. This means that the amount of income that is considered ‘profit’ (and that you therefore need to pay income tax on) is lowered. This means you pay less overall income tax.

Is Durable Medical Equipment Tax-Deductible?

Most durable medical equipment qualifies as tax-deductible. The IRS allows you to claim the costs of any tax-deductible medical equipment that exceeds 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income. This means you just add all of your tax-deductible medical expenses incurred during the tax year together and the portion of it that exceeds 7.5% of your gross income is tax-deductible.

Is A Handicap Ramp Tax-Deductible?

A handicap ramp for your vehicle or home is a piece of durable medical equipment that qualifies as tax-deductible.

What Disabled Vehicle Adaptations Are Tax-Deductible?

Many disabled people, and their caregivers or family members, need to purchase expensive durable medical equipment for their vehicles. Most of this equipment is tax-deductible.

The most common tax-deductible vehicle adaptations are:

What Vehicle Adaptations Are Not Tax-Deductible?

Several vehicle adaptations that can be used by people with a disability, but are also used by people who do not have a disability and therefore are not considered essential, are:

  • Steering wheel knobs
  • Automatic transmission
  • Power steering
  • Running boards
  • Grab bars

Are Purpose-Built Wheelchair Vans Tax-Deductible?

In 2020, there are several fantastic, state-of-the-art, purpose-built wheelchair vans on the market. These vans come already fitted with design features that make driving as a wheelchair-user, or transporting a wheelchair-user, easy.

The cost of these vans is also partly tax-deductible. The part of the cost that is tax-deductible is the amount that the wheelchair van cost over and above the cost of what a similar van that was not wheelchair-friendly would cost.

Dr Handicap - tax deductions
Image by stevepb on Pixabay: Most disabled vehicle adaptations are tax-deductible.

Is Travel For Medical Purposes Tax-Deductible?

Travel costs incurred when traveling for medical purposes can also be included in tax-deductible medical expenses. This can include the cost of fuel, parking fees, and toll fees that were paid on medically essential journeys – for example, to a hospital, medical center, or physiotherapist.

Can The Family Or Caregiver Of A Disabled Person Claim Tax Deductions?

It is not only a disabled person themselves who can claim tax deductions. A spouse, a dependent, or a qualified relative can also claim tax deductions for qualifying medical expenses incurred.

Can A Handicap Permit Save You Money?

A handicap parking permit is another great way to save money as a disabled driver, or caregiver. A handicap permit will entitle its holder to park for free in parking spaces in lots, and also in metered, on-street spaces in many jurisdictions in the country.

How Can You Get A Handicap Parking Permit?

The best way to get a handicap parking permit is to arrange an online consultation with a registered medical professional through Dr. Handicap. Once the medical professional verifies your disability they will complete and sign the relevant sections of a DMV form and email it directly to you.

Featured image by Steven HWG on Unsplash

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