In the Driver’s Seat: Owning and Operating Your Own Vehicle

Having a driver’s license is a big responsibility. It not only means safely and responsibly operating a vehicle, but if you are buying or currently own a vehicle, it also means thinking about other concerns as well, including vehicle maintenance, using safety features, being a smart car buyer, getting automobile insurance, using adaptive equipment to operate it properly, and parking it in the right places.

In this section, we’ll detail what goes into being a car buyer and owner.

Is your vehicle accessible?

If you received your license with a disability, it’s likely you took your driving test in a vehicle that was adapted to your needs. However, if that is not the case, it’s important to make sure that you can take full advantage of all the car’s features, not only for ease of use but also for the safety of you and your passengers.

If you’re not sure whether your car is fully accessible or can be modified to make it so, it’s time to call in a specialist. A Driver Rehabilitation Specialist is a trained, certified professional who performs comprehensive evaluations to identify what adaptive equipment is best for your needs. For those looking to get their drivers’ licenses, these pros can also screen your vision, muscle strength, flexibility, range of motion, coordination, reaction time, decision-making skills, and ability to drive with adaptive equipment, should the DMV require it.

It may help to know that these professionals’ services may be covered, partially or fully, by health insurance, car manufacturer rebates, auto insurance, workers’ compensation, or certain nonprofit associations, depending on your circumstances. Contact Nevada Vocational Rehabilitation for more information.

To find a Driver Rehabilitation Specialist near you, check out the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) website at https://nmeda.org/certified-driver-rehabilitation-specialists-2/.

Also, many occupational therapists are qualified to provide driver rehab services. To explore available OT professionals in Nevada, visit https://myaota.aota.org/driver_search/.

Adaptive Equipment for Vehicles

Fortunately, there are numerous pieces of equipment and technology that make it possible for people with disabilities of all kinds to operate their own vehicles as needed. Most of them can be customized exactly to your needs, enhancing the safety of everyone in the car and providing you with maximum independence.

Examples of adaptive equipment include:

High or extra-wide doors
Large interior door handles
Oversized knobs with clear labels
Support handles for entry/exit
Large or adjustable-size print for dash indicators
Seat adjusters for all directions
swivel seats for easier access
Dash-mounted ignition
hand controls that allow drivers to accelerate and brake with their hands rather than pedals
electronic throttle that refines these controls
steering aids for limited upper body mobility (increasing size and grip of wheel or knobs)
pedal extenders or adjustable foot pedals
vehicle transfer seats for help getting in and out of seats
Automatic transmission shifters
Assistive controls like wipers, signals, and headlights

To enhance an existing vehicle with these items, prices vary. A seat-back cushion could be as little as $50, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), while hand controls of varying complexity could cost anywhere up to $1,000.

However, buying a new vehicle that is modified to your needs can be considerably more expensive — anywhere from $20,000 to $80,000, depending on the car and the modifications.

The NMEDA website offers complete information about purchasing, installing, and maintaining adaptive equipment: https://nmeda.org/.

Note that any installer or Driver Rehab Specialist should provide training on how to use such adaptive equipment, including practice on the road. If your dealer doesn’t offer this, ask for a referral to someone who does, or ask your DMV. In some cases, Nevada Vocational Rehab or workers’ comp companies will pay for this training or help you find someone to provide it.

Finally, remember that emergencies happen. It’s a good idea to make sure that at least one other person — perhaps a family member, caregiver, or friend — can drive the vehicle too, in case such situations arise.

Buying a Car

Whether this will be your very first car or you’re replacing your existing car with another, It’s possible that buying a car will be the biggest purchase you’ve ever made. Unlike buying a small item — like a snack at the store you’re willing to try, even if you don’t know much about it — you can’t take a chance on buying a car without first doing a lot of research, asking a lot of questions, and test-driving the car first. You have to make sure it’s comfortable, easy enough to drive, performs safely, is reliable, and fits within your budget.

You can either buy a car used (owned by at least one other person before you) or brand new. New cars, of course, can last longer after purchase, have no wear and tear, and offer the latest, most advanced features. But with all that comes a higher price tag. New cars also usually come with warranties that guarantee they will be free of mechanical problems or that any problems that arise will be fixed at no cost to you.

Used cars, on the other hand, are usually more affordable and are, therefore, easier for most people to purchase. However, the fact that they’ve been driven by other people may mean they have mechanical issues that will need to be addressed sooner. Used cars don’t usually carry warranties, or if they do, they usually last for a shorter period of time.

Whether you purchase used or new, there are some important factors to consider and questions you should ask the seller so you can be sure to make the wisest purchase possible.

Take a test drive

It’s important to sit in and test drive the vehicle to make sure you’re comfortable with it. Even if a car looks great and fits your budget, it may not be the right car for you. Sit in the car, and check to make sure you have good visibility all around you. Are you able to get in and out of the car with ease? Make sure you can reach the pedals, and have the seller demonstrate any adaptive features in the car. Check that you’re comfortable with the controls and that it has the features you need.

Focus on safety

Be sure that the car includes important safety features, including fully functional seat belts, airbags, good tires, and more. Check the vehicle’s safety record and ratings from government agencies. If the car is used, you can check CARFAX or Kelley Blue Book to get a vehicle history report. The NHTSA also maintains safety rating information on car makes and models by year, so you can see how the car you’re considering stacks up in terms of safety on the road.

Consider the features you need

If you’re unable to operate it safely and to the fullest extent possible, consider whether you might need to add certain types of adaptive equipment to make it fully operational. Is this something you can add on your own, or is that something you would need the seller to do for you? Can you afford to make such changes?

Does it have enough space?

You’ll need to be honest with yourself about whether the car has adequate space not only for you and all potential passengers but also cargo space for required equipment, such as a wheelchair or walker.

Is it the right size to park?

It may seem odd to consider parking, but many of today’s vehicles are quite large — perhaps even too large for many parking spaces. If, for example, you will need to use a parking garage regularly, or if your regular parking space is surrounded by potential obstacles, consider whether the car will be easy enough to park, load equipment in and out, and easily get in and out of the vehicle. You’ll also need to consider factors such as doors — do they open outward, or do they slide, and do you have a preference based on your particular needs?

Protect Your Investment with Auto Insurance

By law, all drivers must carry insurance coverage on their vehicles. In Nevada, the law states that every registered vehicle must have minimum levels of insurance coverage for bodily injury and/or death from a crash, as well as for destruction of property.

As soon as you take ownership of a car, you will need to get an auto insurance policy to cover it. Insurers in Nevada know the minimum amounts of coverage you are required to have and can give you quotes for a policy that suits your needs. It’s a good idea to speak to a few carriers and get a few quotes that you can compare. Remember that, like anything else, you get what you pay for. Cost is an important consideration, but you also need to be realistic about protecting your vehicle and the well-being of you and any passengers who ride with you.

Be sure that any modifications made to your vehicle to accommodate your disability are accredited by the NMEDA Quality Assurance Program. If your modification is not accredited, it may not be covered by your insurance, which could be a problem in the event of a crash.

Be sure that all your modifications are covered in your policy, including a wheelchair lift, lowered floors, kneeling systems, etc.

Also, know your rights! You may not be denied coverage because of a disability, and you may not be charged a higher premium without justification. You have the right to fair, affordable insurance.

Vehicle Maintenance

Being a responsible vehicle owner and driver is making sure that you keep it in proper working order. This means doing standard maintenance to keep it in top shape. Here are some important maintenance tasks you’ll need to make part of your routine, either by doing them yourself or taking your vehicle to an auto service center:

Read your owner’s manual and familiarize yourself with the regular maintenance tasks the manufacturer recommends, as well as how often they should be done.
Check your tire pressure at least once a month or before you take a long road trip.
Check oil and keep up with regular oil changes according to your user manual.
Do your standard engine maintenance, according to the user manual, including replacing filters and fluids, and perform recommended service or repairs as needed.
Be sure to keep an eye on all lights and signals, replacing bulbs as needed.
Keep your windows and headlights clean for the best possible visibility.
Be sure to follow any recommended guidelines for adaptive equipment. Your Mobility Equipment Dealer should provide this information; be sure to follow these recommendations to maintain any warranties you may have.

If your auto service center recommends repairs that are beyond routine maintenance, be sure to get a written estimate of costs. You may want to get a second, or even a third, opinion about whether these repairs need to be done and how much others would charge, to be sure you are spending your money wisely on repairs that are actually needed. You might also read reviews of each business to make sure they do quality work at a reasonable price.

Parking Permits and Placards

People with disabilities in Nevada have the right to park their vehicles in designated parking spots marked with the blue wheelchair symbol, the universal symbol for accessibility. These parking areas, sometimes called handicap parking, are located close to building entrances and are free from obstruction, enabling easier access.

To qualify for disabled parking access, an approved medical professional must provide information on your application, verifying that your condition qualifies for this special access. Visit the Nevada DMV website to learn about what conditions are eligible for disabled parking access.

If your disability is permanent, you may qualify for both license plates and placards, which are the tags that hang from your rearview mirror and may be carried to any vehicle in which you ride. If your disability is temporary or moderate, according to the DMV rules, you may only receive a placard.

You can apply for and renew your disabled parking application in person or by mail. View details at DMV.NV.gov.