Plan of action
1 Ask some basic questions.
Prepare to compromise as you may not find everything in one car. Think about what you may need in future.
Will you drive the car?
Will you drive the car? Or will you be a passenger? Whichever, think about getting in and out and comfort. See Products and techniques and our guide Choosing a car.
Will you need special controls?
There is a big range - from simple gadgets to more complex controls. See Primary controls and our Car controls guide.
What equipment will you carry?
Think about every day and occasionally.
Do you use a wheelchair?
See Products and techniques and our guides Getting a wheelchair into a car and Getting into a car. If you travel in your wheelchair as a passenger, a Mobility Centre can advise you about vehicle converters and adaptations that can be fitted.
2 Collect information.
Start with articles in motoring magazines and on the Internet plus manufacturers' brochures. If you are disabled, there are other sources:
Reviews by disabled drivers that appear regularly in Motability's magazine Lifestyle and in the newsletters of disabled motorists' organisations.
Mobility Centres and organisations of disabled motorists give independent advice and provide a range of services. Mobility Centres can assess if you can drive and find out what equipment may suit you. Charges vary from centre to centre - from about £50 to £130 for drivers; passenger assessments generally cost £20-£50. In Scotland assessment is free if referred by a GP. Adaptation firms can use the assessment report to help them find the most suitable equipment for you.
Mobility Roadshow event with cars and adaptations; you can test drive vehicles there.
Motability have a list of accredited car dealers with specialist knowledge and facilities for disabled people. Their guides to adaptations Make it Yours and Your guide to wheelchair accessible vehicles are free, either in print or downloadable from their website.
Choosing a car If you need to find a car that is easier to get in and out of, or find one big enough for your wheelchair, use our Car Measurement Guide to draw up a shortlist of vehicles that may suit you. You can use it to find cars with, for example, the widest doors, lowest sill or most headroom.
3 Try out before buying
Try out before buying any car you are considering. Dealers may bring one to you and should be able to find an automatic version. Try getting in and out several times. If you use a wheelchair, check that it fits. You might be able to try out adapted cars at a Mobility Centre or an adaptation firm. They will tell you whether the adaptations can be fitted to your car.
4 Get plenty of practice.
It is advisable to have lessons with an instructor using the adaptations you have chosen - essential when learning to use a left foot accelerator. Mobility Centres can provide details. Make sure that you are not driving with adaptations for the first time when you collect the car.
next page: Products and techniques - getting in and out