car conversions & equipment challenges worth the effort
Getting your learner ’ s permit is challenging for all new drivers , but even more so if you have to face additional tests before you can take to the road .
Nick Schumi , 31 , from Adelaide , recently achieved this goal and is working toward a Provisional license .
“ It was really important to me to get my driver ’ s licence ,” Nick told Link .
“ I ’ m really determined because I know the difference it ’ ll make in my life to have more independence and to get to commitments without relying on other people , or access cabs .”
Nick has cerebral palsy , and is a wheelchair user , and is determined to drive independently .
Despite Nick ’ s fierce willpower , he said that the process of going for his licence had been more challenging than he expected .
“ Initially it was very simple – I spoke to my GP , and I did some very basic reflex tests , and got referred for more testing at a hospital .
“ And I did the L ’ s theory test , which is the same test that all drivers have to take and really just required a bit of learning about the road rules .”
Learning to drive using hand controls has also come with its own challenges .
“ If I have to brake or accelerate , steer , and indicate all at the same time , that is a lot for my hands to be doing ,” Nick said .
“ But , more than that , I find that the order of tasks can be hard . Driving is all about processes , knowing what comes next , and executing that . I can do all the things , but part of my disability means that putting that together in the right order can be challenging .”
As part of gaining his learner ’ s permit Nick had to spend time in a car with an occupational therapist to try out different modifications to figure out what would work best for him .
“ I imagine that process is different for everyone , but for me , my mods are quite generic ,” he said .
“ And the time on your L ’ s for me is quite different to that of other drivers – they might be learning about road rules and how to drive , but I had all of that , and also testing different modified vehicles or instructors and trying to find what suited my needs .
“ One thing I learnt is how important it is to have access to a car with the mods you need .
“ Initially I thought I ’ d have to do all of my hours ( in South Australia learner drivers are required to log 75 hours driving with a qualified driver before they can go for the next stage of their license ) in an instructor ’ s car , paying by the hour to use their car and have them drive with me .
24 car conversions & equipment linkonline . com . au