Best cars for disabled drivers

How to choose a car for driving with a disability 

Drivers with disabilities have to face challenges that many road users wouldn’t even consider. But this doesn’t mean you should give up on driving altogether. 53% of disabled citizens in the UK over the age of 17 have a driving licence and there are approximately 2.4 million blue badge holders. But there’s still a long way to go; only 3% (1.2 million) of vehicles on UK roads were registered in the disabled class tax bracket at the end of 2020.  

Read on to find out more about choosing a car as a disabled driver:  

There are a few things that are worth keeping in mind before you hit the road. When driving with a disability, make sure that you schedule plenty of breaks into longer journeys. You should also double-check that any painkillers you take regularly (or as a one-off) won’t make you feel drowsy behind the wheel, as well as making sure that your seat is set up to be as comfortable and supportive as possible.   

When it comes to choosing a disabled driver car, you might be looking for a model that offers good accessibility, can easily be adapted, or qualifies for the Motability Scheme.  

Reporting conditions to DVLA  

If you have developed a new medical condition or your current situation has worsened, you might need to inform the DVLA. This includes neurological conditions that can affect your reaction speeds or weaken your muscles.  

The full list of conditions that need to be reported to the DVLA can be found on their website but examples include diabetes, sleep apnoea, epilepsy, strokes, glaucoma, and any heart conditions.  

You might be asked to provide further details from your care provider, have regular check-ups or, in some cases, to surrender your driving licence if you’re no longer safe to drive.  

Adapting a car for a disabled driver 

The good news is that there are a range of car adaptations available that can help disabled drivers get back behind the wheel. These include rotating seats, steering wheel knobs that make turning easier, hand operated brakes, and electronic accelerators that can be fixed to a number of different spots on the dashboard. 

The best adaptation for you will depend on your condition and the features that might benefit you while driving. If you’re unable to use the lower half of your body, hand controls can be placed on the steering wheel or behind the wheel, but if you suffer from arthritis and joint pain, you might benefit from more mirrors and cameras that can reduce the need for neck movement instead.  

However, no matter what you choose, it’s important that you practice using them and feel completely comfortable before heading out on a long journey.  

Getting in and out of the car  

One of the biggest challenges for drivers with limited mobility is getting in and out of the car. If you don’t want to be restricted in your choice of car body type then there are adaptations that can help.  

You could invest in a hoist that can lift and lower you onto the car feat, find seats that lift and swing out, or fit a ramp if you are a wheelchair user. Access can also be easier if you’re able to find a drop curb.  

SUVs for disabled drivers  

If you’re looking to buy a car for a disabled driver, you might be tempted by an SUV. This category of car is becoming more popular among disabled drivers, especially those with limited mobility who might find it hard to get in and out of smaller vehicles.  

SUVs - short for sport utility vehicles - can be easier to access as they’re set higher off the ground. Drivers can step into the car rather than sitting down into it. The higher driving position they afford could also help with visibility behind the wheel, and SUVs are often fitted with automatic gear boxes and power steering that can also improve the driving experience.  

Peugeot 208 

Despite being one of the smaller hatchbacks on the market, the Peugeot 208 is surprisingly spacious inside. It offers an elevated driving position, a clear digital cockpit, and a steering wheel that adjusts for height as well as reach. When it comes to accessibility, the 208’s front doors swing open to an impressively wide 68 degrees, the 311 litre capacity boot has enough space for a folded wheelchair, and the boot lip isn’t set high off the ground. With the back row of seats folded, there’s room for a fully assembled chair while there’s also plenty of extra storage space throughout the cabin including large door bins and a cubby under the armrest.  Its engine is efficient, affordable to run, and provides a smooth ride while the electric version offers the same boot space albeit with an automatic gearbox.  

Nissan Juke  

The Nissan Juke offers all the benefits of an SUV but without burning through as much fuel as its competitors. Each of its doors are tall, wide and open to 66 degrees, but the driver’s seat is high off the ground so you might find you need to step up to access the car and lift yourself up into the seat. Once you’re in, the cabin is spacious and offers a range of driver assistance features including cruise control, a rear-view camera, LED headlights, and a screen that’s set high on the dashboard. Boot space is generous too; there’s 422 litres as standard and 1305 litres with all the seats folded - more than enough room for a fully assembled wheelchair. There’s no lip on the boot either and its floor height is adjustable. Unfortunately, there’s no adjustable lumbar support but you’ll still find the Juke a comfortable car overall.  

Ford Puma 

The Ford Puma is a crossover car that’s take inspiration from an SUV. It offers sleek styling and practical storage alongside impressive safety kit and tech features. The Puma’s raised height and wide door openings make it easily accessible while disabled drivers will benefit from the adaptive cruise control, pre-collision assist, rear parking sensors, and evasive steering assistance. Despite its roomy interior, the Puma is still a compact SUV that’s easy to manoeuvre (even in smaller city streets) and economical to run. Even so, you could opt for the mild-hybrid petrol engine if you’re looking to save even more on your fuel costs.  

Hyundai Ioniq 

Looking for an electric vehicle for disabled drivers? The Hyundai Ioniq isn’t fully electric but it is an efficient hybrid that offers over 60mpg. And despite the electric motor, the boot space on offer is generous with its hatchback build making it ideal for carrying large and bulky items. Wide opening doors make all five seats easily accessible but it’s the tech features that really set this car out from the crowd. Drivers can make the most of a chic infotainment system with logical navigation, rear parking sensors, climate control, and a heated steering wheel.  

Vauxhall Combo Life 

If you’re looking for a practical car that can easily be converted into a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, the Vauxhall Combo Life should be at the top of your wish list. It’s one of the most spacious cars on the market and offers five to seven seats with good legroom for all passengers. The interior layout is flexible with seats that can be folded down or removed completely to open up more loading room (up to 2693 litres), which makes it ideal for those who need to transport a lot of equipment or larger mobility aids. Accessibility is made even easier thanks to the wide doorways, rear sliding doors, and raised floor, which can be lowered to fit a ramp if needed. Tech features include a driver drowsiness alert, automatic emergency braking, panoramic rear-view camera, and a. Forward collision alert, while passengers can make the most of up to 28 different storage compartments hidden within the cabin.  

Dacia Duster 

Need a car that can take on almost any terrain? The Dacia Duster is a robust SUV that can take on most road types with ease - and keep you comfortable at the same time! It has been designed with safety in mind and comes with a host of handy features including hill start assist, hill descent control, and a multi-view camera, which displays images from each of the four onboard cameras. There are five doors, five large seats, and plenty of boot space alongside hidden extra cabin storage. With a 4x4 mode, the Duster is versatile but still looks good enough to take pride of place on the drive.  

Toyota Yaris 

While the classic Toyota Yaris has a lot going for it, we recommend upgrading to the hybrid version as a disabled driver. Its relatively affordable to buy and run, efficient on the road, and offers plenty of space. The 64 degree driver door angle makes it easily accessible while the split-folding rear seats provides enough room for loading a folded wheelchair or zimmer frame. The Yaris can go the distance, hitting an average 80mpg when you do a lot of short distance driving while the Icon models come equipped with 15 inch alloy wheels, cruise control, air conditioning, and a 4.2 inch control panel screen.  

Electric vehicles for disabled drivers  

With the ban on new petrol and diesel cars set to come into force in 2030, many drivers - including those with a disability - are looking to make the switch to an electric vehicle. Electric and hybrid vehicles can work well for drivers with limited mobility or severe joint pain as they typically provide a smoother ride than standard cars.  

Electric vehicles are also exclusively manufactured with automatic gearboxes and you might find that their chargers don’t demand as much manual grip as a petrol nozzle would, However, it’s important to note that electric vehicles are still more expensive to buy upfront (even on the used car market) and public charging points can have accessibility issues.  

The Motability Scheme  

The Motability Scheme is a charity-operated programme that aims to help people with disabilities exchange their mobility allowance to lease a new car. It was established to try and make it easier for drivers with mobility restrictions - and their carers - to afford a safe and appropriate car. Motability is available for both standard and electric vehicle leases. Unfortunately, CarFinance 247 doesn’t currently work with lenders that can offer vehicle leasing so we’re unable to participate in the Mobility Scheme.  

Disability car finance 

Looking for disability car finance? We can help! At CarFinance 247, we work with a panel of lenders, which means we can look to find loans for people with a wide variety of circumstances including drivers with disabilities and carers receiving benefits. There are lenders on our panel who can help people claiming disability living allowance (DLA), carers allowance, and personal independent payment (PIP) find car finance. Whether you need a vehicle to attend hospital appointments, take the kids to school, or commute to work, your dedicated account manager will guide you through the process and help you choose a car. You might need to show your income by providing bank statements or benefit records to demonstrate you can keep up with your monthly repayments.