National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Adapting Motor Vehicles 

for Older Drivers
Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

Investigate Cost-Saving 

Opportunities and 

Licensing Requirements . . . . . . . . . . 2

Evaluate Your Needs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Select the Right Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 6

Choose a Qualified Mobility 

Dealer to Modify Your Vehicle . . . . 8

Obtain Training on the 

Use of New Equipment . . . . . . . . . . 10

Maintain Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 11

Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
A Proven Process for Maintaining Freedom on the Road

Introduction

New and existing adaptive technologies continue to broaden 

opportunities for older drivers to drive 

comfortably and safely — and enjoy the 

freedom of driving for as long as possible.

Some of these adaptive technologies 

are as simple as swivel seats for more 

convenient access. Others, such as hand 

controls, may be necessary for a driver 

to safely operate a vehicle. All drivers 

who are facing, or may soon face, agerelated driving challenges should become 

familiar with the technologies available to 

support any special driving needs.

The information in this brochure is based 

on the experience of driver rehabilitation 

specialists and other professionals who 

work with people who require adaptive 

devices for their motor vehicles. The 

steps outlined here represent a proven 

process — evaluating your needs, 

making sure the vehicle “fits” you 

properly, choosing appropriate 

features, installing and knowing how 

to use adaptive devices, practicing 

good vehicle maintenance — that can 

help you avoid costly mistakes when 

modifying or purchasing a vehicle to 

accommodate age-related changes that 

may affect your driving.

Also included is general information on 

cost savings, licensing requirements, and 

organizations to contact for additional 

assistance. Although the brochure 

focuses on drivers of modified vehicles, 

each section also contains important 

information for people who provide 

transportation for passengers with 

special needs. 
Cost-Saving Opportunities 

With such a wide range of adaptive equipment solutions available, 

associated costs for modifying a 

vehicle can vary greatly depending on 

an individual’s needs. Some adaptive 

equipment, such as a special seat-back 

cushion, can provide a better view of the 

road for as little as $50. More complex 

equipment, such as hand controls, can 

be purchased for under $1,000. However, 

a new vehicle modified with adaptive 

equipment will cost anywhere from 

$20,000 to $80,000.

Whether you are modifying a vehicle you 

now own or purchasing a new vehicle 

with adaptive equipment, it pays to do 

your homework first. By consulting with 

a driver rehabilitation specialist before 

you buy, you can learn what adaptive 

equipment you need now or may need in 

the future, avoid paying for equipment 

you don’t need, and learn about 

opportunities for public and private 

financial assistance.

There are programs that may help pay part 

or all of the cost of vehicle modification.

For information, contact your State’s 

Department of Vocational Rehabilitation 

or another agency that provides vocational 

services, and, if appropriate, the U.S.

Department of Veterans Affairs. You can 

find phone numbers for these State and 

Federal agencies in your local phone book.

Also be aware of the following:

n Some nonprofits that advocate for 

individuals with disabilities offer 

programs that may help pay for 

adaptive devices. Generally, these 

groups and programs represent local 

resources. To learn about any available 

programs in your area, contact your 

State government office that handles 

services for persons with disabilities.

n Automotive insurance may cover all or 

part of the cost of adaptive equipment 

if your need for such equipment is a 

result of a motor vehicle crash. 

n Workers' compensation typically 

covers the cost of adaptive equipment 

if your need for such equipment is a 

result of a job-related injury.

Investigate Cost-Saving Opportunities 

and Licensing Requirements


n Most major vehicle manufacturers 

offer rebates on adaptive equipment, 

usually up to $1,000, provided you 

purchase a vehicle less than one year 

old. Your local automobile dealer can 

supply information on these programs 

and assist you with the application 

process. Contact information for 

vehicle manufacturers offering rebates 

on adaptive equipment is listed in the 

"Resources" section of this brochure.

n National Mobility Equipment Dealers 

Association (NMEDA) members are 

also familiar with vehicle manufacturer 

rebates, can help you apply for these 

rebates — and can provide prepurchase advice about the type of 

vehicle that will accommodate your 

adaptive equipment needs. NMEDA 

contact information is listed in the 

“Resources” section of this brochure.

n Some States waive the sales tax for 

adaptive devices if you have a doctor’s 

prescription for their use.

n The cost of adaptive equipment may be 

tax deductible. Check with a qualified 

tax consultant to learn more. 

Licensing Requirements 

All States require a valid learner’s permit 

or driver’s license to receive an on–the–

road driving evaluation. You cannot 

be denied the opportunity to apply for 

a permit or license because of age or 

disability. However, a driver’s license with 

restrictions may be issued based on your 

need of adaptive equipment.
Driver rehabilitation specialists 

perform comprehensive evaluations 

to identify the adaptive equipment 

most suited to your needs and medical 

condition. As part of this process, a 

rehabilitation specialist will take into 

consideration your future equipment 

needs based on your medical condition 

and the repetitive stress an adaptive aid 

may place on a particular muscle group.

In addition, you can expect a complete 

evaluation to include vision screening as 

well as:

n Muscle strength, flexibility, and range 

of motion;

n Coordination and reaction time; 

n Judgment and decision-making 

abilities; and 

n Ability to drive with adaptive 

equipment.

After you finish the evaluation you 

should receive a report containing 

specific recommendations on driving 

requirements or restrictions. You should 

also be given a complete list of any 

recommended vehicle requirements or 

modifications. The recommendations 

should suggest obtaining on-the-road 

training to practice safe operation of the 

equipment and learn safe driving habits.

Finding a Qualified Driver 

Rehabilitation Specialist

Check with a rehabilitation center in 

your area to find a qualified driver 

rehabilitation specialist to perform your 

evaluation. You’ll find rehabilitation 

centers for each State listed on the Web 

sites for the Association for Driver 

Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED) and 

the American Occupational Therapy 

Association, Inc. (AOTA). These 

associations maintain lists of qualified 

driver rehabilitation specialists in areas 

across the United States and Canada.

Contact information for these groups is 

located in the “Resources” section of this 

brochure.

Evaluate Your Needs
Paying for an Evaluation

n Vocational rehabilitation agencies and 

workers' compensation agencies may 

assist in the cost of a driver evaluation.

n Your health insurance company may 

pay for part or all of the evaluation.

Find out from your insurance 

company if you need a doctor’s 

prescription or other documentation 

to receive such benefits.

n Many driver evaluation programs 

offer senior drivers a discount on 

evaluations. Ask if your driver 

rehabilitation specialist offers a 

discount to seniors.

Determining the Best Time to 

Seek a Driving Evaluation 

Consult with your doctor to make sure 

you are physically and psychologically 

prepared to drive. Being evaluated too 

soon after an injury, stroke, or other 

trauma may be misleading because it may 

show the need for adaptive equipment 

that you will not need in the future.

You want to be functioning at your best 

when you have a driver evaluation. For 

the evaluation, you will need to take 

any equipment you normally use, such 

as a walker or neck brace. If you use a 

wheelchair and are planning to modify 

the wheelchair or obtain a new one, be 

sure to tell your driver rehabilitation 

specialist prior to the evaluation.

Evaluating Passengers with 

Disabilities

Driver rehabilitation specialists may 

also give advice on compatibility 

and transportation safety issues for 

passengers with special needs. They 

determine the type of seating needed 

and the person’s ability to enter and 

exit the vehicle. They provide advice on 

the purchase of modified vehicles and 

recommend appropriate wheelchair lifts 

or other equipment that would work in 

your vehicle.
Although the purchase or lease of a 

vehicle is your responsibility, your 

mobility equipment dealer and driver 

rehabilitation specialist are qualified 

to ensure the vehicle you select can 

be modified to meet your adaptive 

equipment needs. Take the time to 

consult with these professionals before 

you make your purchase decision.

To find a qualified dealer in your area, 

contact the National Mobility Equipment 

Dealers Association (NMEDA). To 

find a qualified driver rehabilitation 

specialist, contact the Association 

for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists 

(ADED). Complete contact information 

for these two organizations is listed in the 

“Resources” section of this brochure.

The following questions can help with 

vehicle selection. They can also help 

determine if you can modify a vehicle 

you already own:

n Does the vehicle have the cargo 

capacity (in pounds) to accommodate 

the equipment you require? 

n Will there be enough space and cargo 

capacity to accommodate your family 

or other passengers once the vehicle is 

modified? 

n Is there adequate parking space at 

home and at work for the vehicle and 

for loading/unloading a wheelchair? 

n Is there adequate parking space to 

maneuver if you use a walker? 

n What additional options are necessary 

for the safe operation of the vehicle? 

If a third party is paying for the vehicle, 

adaptive devices, or modification costs, 

find out if there are any limitations or 

restrictions on what is covered. Always 

get a written statement on what a funding 

agency will pay before making your 

purchase.

Once you select and purchase a vehicle, 

be aware that you will need to also 

purchase insurance to cover your vehicle 

while it's being modified — even though 

it will be off the road during this period.

Standard Features to Look for in a New 

Passenger Vehicle

Before purchasing a new vehicle, 

always sit in it first to make sure you 

are comfortable. Check to see that you 

can enter and exit the vehicle with ease.

If possible, take it out for a test drive.

How well does the car fit your body? To 

prevent air bag-related injury, you should 

keep 10 inches between your breast bone 

and the steering wheel, which contains 

Select the Right Vehicle


the driver’s side air bag. At the same time, 

you’ll need to be able to easily reach the 

pedals while maintaining a comfortable 

line of sight above the adjusted steering 

wheel. Also, make sure the vehicle 

provides you with good visibility in 

all directions — front, rear, and sides.

Your dealer can demonstrate the use of 

adaptive features, such as adjustable foot 

pedals and driver seats, which can help 

ensure a good person-vehicle fit.

Check to see if the model you are 

considering purchasing has good crash 

test results and is resistant to rollover.

Visit www.safercar.gov or call the 

Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236

to obtain government crash test results 

and rollover ratings for specific makes 

and models.

When selecting a vehicle, look for and 

ask about available features designed to 

improve both the comfort and safety of 

drivers experiencing physical or visual 

challenges associated with aging. Some of 

these features are: 

n High or extra-wide doors;

n Adjustable foot pedals; 

n Large interior door handles;

n Oversized knobs with clearly visible 

labels;

n Support handles to assist with entry 

and exit;

n Large or adjustable-size print for 

dashboard gauges; 

n Seat adjusters that can move the seat in 

all directions — particularly raising it 

so the driver’s line of sight is 3” above 

the adjusted steering wheel; and

n Dashboard-mounted ignition rather 

than steering column-mounted 

ignition.
Even a half inch change in the 

lowering of a van floor can affect a 

driver’s ability to use equipment or to 

have an unobstructed view of the road.

So it’s important that you take the time 

to find a qualified dealer to modify 

your vehicle. Your driver rehabilitation 

specialist may be able to provide referrals 

depending on where you live and your 

vehicle modification and adaptive 

equipment needs.

Note: Some State agencies specify 

the dealer you must use if you want 

reimbursement. For example, some 

States require that dealers bidding on 

State vocational rehabilitation jobs 

be members of the National Mobility 

Equipment Dealer’s (NMEDA’s) Quality 

Assurance Program. You’ll find contact 

information for NMEDA within the 

“Resources” section of this brochure.

To find qualified mobility equipment 

dealers, begin with phone inquiries to 

learn about credentials, experience, and 

references. Ask questions about how they 

operate. Do they work with qualified 

driver rehabilitation specialists? Will 

they look at your vehicle before you buy 

it? Do they require a prescription from a 

physician or driver evaluation specialist? 

How long will it take before they can start 

work on your vehicle? 

Also ensure that the dealer you choose 

to modify your vehicle is registered 

with the National Highway Traffic 

Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 

order to adapt a vehicle to meet your 

needs, registered equipment dealers are 

permitted to modify existing federally 

mandated safety equipment. In addition, 

registered mobility equipment dealers 

must provide you with a written 

statement regarding the work that was 

performed, as well as list any Federal 

Motor Vehicle Safety Standards affected 

by their modification work on a label 

adjacent to the original equipment 

manufacturer’s label or the modifier’s 

certification label. These labels are 

often found inside the driver’s door. Visit 

www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/adaptive/

Modifier/Index.cfm to find out if a 

mobility equipment dealer is registered 

with NHTSA as a vehicle modifier. 

Questions to consider in evaluating a 

mobility equipment dealer’s qualifications 

are listed below: 

n Is the dealer registered with NHTSA?

n Is the dealer a member of NMEDA — 

and a participant in this organization's 

Quality Assurance Program? 

n What type of training has the staff 

received? 

Choose a Qualified Mobility Dealer 

to Modify Your Vehicle


n What type of warranty is provided on 

work? 

n Does the dealer provide ongoing 

service and maintenance? 

n Are replacement parts stocked and 

readily available? 

If you are satisfied with the answers you 

receive, check references; then arrange 

to visit the dealer’s facility. Once you are 

comfortable with a dealer’s qualifications, 

you will want to ask more specific 

questions, such as: 

n How much will the modification cost? 

n Are third-party payments accepted? 

n How long will it take to modify the 

vehicle? 

n Can the equipment be transferred to a 

new vehicle in the future? 

n Will existing safety features need to 

be modified to install the adaptive 

equipment? 

While your vehicle is being modified, you 

will most likely need to be available for 

fittings. This avoids additional waiting 

time for adjustments once the equipment 

is fully installed. Without proper fittings 

you may have problems with the safe 

operation of the vehicle and have to go 

back for adjustments.
10

Both new and experienced drivers need training on how to safely use 

newly installed adaptive equipment.

Your equipment installer and driver 

rehabilitation specialist should provide 

information on the new devices and offroad instruction.

But literature and off-road instruction 

aren’t enough to equip you to drive safely 

with your new adaptive equipment.

This equipment can be very complex.

So it’s extremely important to obtain 

on-the-road training and practice with 

a driver rehabilitation specialist who 

has advanced expertise and knowledge 

of adaptive technologies. If your driver 

rehabilitation specialist does not offer 

such training, ask him or her for a 

referral, or inquire at your local driver 

licensing office.

State vocational rehabilitation 

departments and workers’ compensation 

plans will pay for driver education and 

training under certain circumstances.

At a minimum, their staffs can help you 

locate a qualified driver rehabilitation 

specialist to provide training.

Finally, remember to enlist the help 

of a family member or friend to drive 

you to all of your training sessions. (It’s 

important to have someone else who 

can drive your vehicle in case of an 

emergency.)

Obtain Training on the Use of New Equipment

Ensuring Safe Operation and 

Warranty Compliance

Regular maintenance is important 

for keeping your vehicle and 

specially installed adaptive features safe 

and reliable. It may also be mandatory 

for compliance with the terms of your 

warranty. Some warranties specify a time 

period during which adaptive equipment 

must be inspected. These equipment 

check-up schedules may differ from 

those for your vehicle. Make sure you 

or your modifier submit all warranty 

cards for all equipment. This will not 

only ensure coverage, but will also enable 

manufacturers to contact you in case of a 

recall.
11

Vehicle Safety Checklist

Your vehicle warranty and owner’s 

manual will describe regularly required 

vehicle maintenance. Keep in mind that 

your adaptive equipment may need 

special attention or more frequent checkups than your vehicle alone. However, 

the following checklist represents basic 

maintenance that applies to all vehicles: 

n Check tire pressure at least once a 

month and always before a long road 

trip.

n Change oil as recommended by your 

owner’s manual, using the grade 

recommended.

n Check all fluids when you change the 

oil, including power steering fluid, 

brake fluid, and engine coolant.

n Routinely check headlights, brake and 

parking lights, reverse lights, and turn 

signals.

Maintain Your Vehicle

n Remember to keep your windows and 

headlights clean. You need to clearly 

see where you are going. Keeping the 

headlights clean will help other cars 

see you too.

n Check for damage from road hazards 

by having your vehicle put on a service 

lift at least once a year.

Proper maintenance can keep your 

vehicle running smoothly, leaving you 

free to concentrate on the road and enjoy 

the freedom of driving.
12

Association for Driver Rehabilitation 

Specialists (ADED) 

711 S. Vienna Street

Ruston, LA 71270

800-290-2344

www.aded.net

American Occupational Therapy 

Association (AOTA)

4720 Montgomery Lane

P.O. Box 31220

Bethesda, MD 20824-1220

301-652-2682

TDD: 800-377-8555

www.aota.org/olderdriver

National Mobility Equipment Dealers 

Association (NMEDA)

3327 West Bearss Avenue 

Tampa, FL 33618 

800-833-0427

www.nmeda.org

National Highway Traffic Safety 

Administration (NHTSA)

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.

Washington, DC 20590

888-327-4236

TDD: 800-424-9153

www.nhtsa.gov

www.safercar.gov

Department of Veteran Affairs 

800-827-1000 

www.va.gov

State Departments of Vocational 

Rehabilitation 

Listed in telephone book.

Resources

The following manufacturers offer rebates 

or reimbursements on new-vehicle 

modification.

Audi 

800-822-2834 

www.audiusa.com 

DaimlerChrysler Corporation 

800-255-9877

(TDD Users: 800-922-3826)

www.daimlerchrysler.com

Ford Motor Company 

800-952-2248 

(TDD Users: 800-TDD-0312) 

www.fordmobilitymotoring.com

General Motors Corporation 

800-323-9935 

(TDD Users: 800-TDD-9935)

www.gm.com

Saturn 

800-553-6000, Prompt 3

(TDD Users: 800-833-6000)

www.saturn.com

Toyota

800-331-4331

www.toyota.com/mobility

Volkswagen 

800-822-8987

www.vw.com 

Selected photos courtesy of Bruno 

Independent Living Aids.

DOT HS 810 732

February 2007