If it becomes difficult for you to use public transport or
drive a standard product car, your life can become very
restricted and as a consequence independence will be
very difficult to achieve. There are many (though still not
enough) transport schemes and services run by local
authorities, voluntary and commercial organisations. The
Department of Transport produces an excellent guide
called: Door to Door — A guide to transport for disabled
people. Published by HMSO — for your nearest HMSO
bookshop see the phonebook, or contact the HMSO
Publications Centre. (See "Further
Information" for address.)
Developing arthritis before being able to learn to drive
should not present you with a major problem — so don’t be
put off by well intentioned people who may well say you
shouldn’t entertain the idea. This is often based on a lack
of knowledge about what practical help is available to
you. Providing you can meet the standard eye test for
driving you should be able to achieve your goal. If you are
in receipt of the ‘higher rate — mobility component’ of the
Disability Living Allowance you can apply for your
provisional driving licence on your 16th birthday as
opposed to your 17th birthday, which is the minimum age
for driving a car. A list of driving instructors trained in
helping disabled people to drive is available from
Banstead Mobility Centre. (See "Further
Information" for
address.)
The level of your physical impairment will determine
what type of car will suit you best and what, if any,
adaptations you will require. Seek advice first — this will
save you a lot of heartache, and money! Go for a
comprehensive independent assessment at an accredited
driving assessment centre (details of your local centre are
available from Banstead Mobility Centre). An independent
assessment centre will provide you with a written report
detailing any adaptations you may need to enable you to
drive independently. Not everyone needs special
adaptations — it depends on how your arthritis affects you.
For some people a car fitted with power assisted steering
and/or automatic transmission may be satisfactory. You
can also send a copy of this report to the DVLA if you
have any difficulty with getting your licence. Equally this
will help you if you have any problems with insurance
companies. Remember the law states that you must
advise both DVLA and your insurance company if your
arthritis affects your ability to drive in any way.
Motability Scheme
If you are in receipt of the ‘higher rate - mobility
component’ of the DLA (your parent’s may well have been
receiving this on your behalf - so you will need to get it
transferred into your name) you can then apply, in your
own right, for a car under the ‘Motability Scheme’.
(See "Further
Information" ) This could be a new car either through
their hire scheme (you have to return the car after 3
years and effectively start all over again) or, through
their hire purchase scheme (you will own the car once all
the hire purchase payments have been made). Under the
hire purchase scheme you can purchase a second-
hand car, although there are restrictions on the age of
the vehicle.
However, before coming to any decision, you need to
look very carefully at the various options open to you
under the Motability Scheme, and if there are any other
sources of finance available to you.
