[rilee101]

Hey everyone I really miss driving and having the independence to do and go where I want. how long did it take you all to get back on the road again??

[Joed]

If I remember right, I was driving about nine months following my paralysis. I was initially trained for the hand controls, but later had to go back and train for an accelerator cross-over instead. The hand control training lasted about three one-hour sessions, but it might've been more than that, I can't remember.

We have another member here, from N. Indiana, who just recently completed her training here in S. IN. She would be better able to give you the exact lengths of time it took to complete. I think it was 'hisamsmith' (SP?) I'll try and look that post up for you.

Here it is:

Driver's Test

This post has been edited by Joed: 09 December 2006 - 07:17 PM

[rilee101]

Do you know where I can go in Indiana to get my license and training on the hand controlls? I have called crossroads and left messages but no one ever calls me back. I just gave up about a month of calling.

[bubbleandsqueak]

Where in Indiana??? I know the lady that helped me lives/works out of the far north east corner of Indiana she was vary help full.

P.S. I got the state to pay for the training, at $100 per hour I really didn't feel like paying.

[Joed]

Rilee....

Both hisamsmith and I went to Easter Seals Rehabilitation in Evansville (almost into KY). Hisamsmith is from northern IN, and I believe she said that this was the only place available for the training, so she had to drive quite a way to get it done. For me, it's only about a 40 min. drive.

I hooked up with Easter Seals through IN Voc. Rehab. Have you talked with anyone from there?

[SCI_OTR]

Being a former Certified Driver Rehab Specialist myself, I personally know the following people in Indiana and highly recommend them.

Susan Henderson, CDRS
Memorial Hospital - MOTS
South Bend, IN
(574) 647-2634

Scott Armour, CDRS
Assistive Driving Services
Clayton, IN
(317) 539-7012

Kathryn J. Kachanoski, CDRS
Columbus Regional Hospital
Columbus, IN
(800) 841-4938 x5902

Others can be found in the directory at
http://www.driver-ed.org/custom/directory-...amp;showTitle=1

[rilee101]

Thank you all so much. I am going to call this week.

[icarus_melt76]

Do all states require testing for hand controls? When I went to complete the 'driving portion' of my license test, I asked the uniformed guy in the passenger seat about having seen many other hand-control drivers. He brushed off my attempt at small-talk by saying "we don't care if you use a stick to operate the vehicle....as long as you can operate it as I ask you to". He looked so pissed at the question, I thought the clip board on his lap would get a big 'X' through my test results....surly A-hole! Back at the Driver Centre (?) I was handed my new license and told "no errors". Wasn't worried prior but still a sigh of relief. Had almost 10 years experience on my old license but due to a lapse of over 5 years, it had to be totally redone. As for them charging you per hour, unless that covers complete 1st time driver training, it's outright theft! Those charges couldn't have simply been for use of the controls was it?

Not aware of availability, but my 'SURE-GRIP' controls are the best. For quads the signal lever can be activated easily. Most controls have (had) a toggle switch on them for indicators....awkward without use of the thumb. Mine also look good, as though original equipment.

[blckchns]

icarus_melt76, on Dec 26 2006, 12:02 AM, said:

Do all states require testing for hand controls? When I went to complete the 'driving portion' of my license test, I asked the uniformed guy in the passenger seat about having seen many other hand-control drivers. He brushed off my attempt at small-talk by saying "we don't care if you use a stick to operate the vehicle....as long as you can operate it as I ask you to". He looked so pissed at the question, I thought the clip board on his lap would get a big 'X' through my test results....surly A-hole! Back at the Driver Centre (?) I was handed my new license and told "no errors". Wasn't worried prior but still a sigh of relief. Had almost 10 years experience on my old license but due to a lapse of over 5 years, it had to be totally redone. As for them charging you per hour, unless that covers complete 1st time driver training, it's outright theft! Those charges couldn't have simply been for use of the controls was it?

Not aware of availability, but my 'SURE-GRIP' controls are the best. For quads the signal lever can be activated easily. Most controls have (had) a toggle switch on them for indicators....awkward without use of the thumb. Mine also look good, as though original equipment.

I think most, if not all states require some type of testing. I live in Virginia, and I had one hour of rehab driving before I passed. My insurance covered it all so I didn't have to pay anything.

"Sure-Grip" controls rock!!! I use them in my Subaru.

[CJ Allen]

rilee101, on Dec 9 2006, 09:50 AM, said:

Hey everyone I really miss driving and having the independence to do and go where I want. how long did it take you all to get back on the road again??

couple of months out of rehab I found a car that a Quad was selling cause he upgraded to a van with a lift and all.. I had never even seen handcontrols let alone drive with them.. but that didnt stop me I had run every kind of heavy equipment you could think of and I wasnt gonna let this stop me the only problem I really had was my first left hand corner I took it how you normaly would on the go and next thing I know I am laying in the seat I didnt think to hold on it only took once and I remembered to hold on.. the only other thing that I remember that was hard to get use to is not being able to pump gas with foot when starting the vehical..as far as driving school never even looked into it just went to dmv took a driving test and got my endorsement.. easy... good luck and be safe