Tips for Car Travel with Physical Disabilities

When purchasing or renting a car, consider the vehicle that feels the most comfortable for you, and has the trunk or seat space you may need for any equipment or supplies. Many cars also come with safety features such as cruise control, emergency braking systems, blindspot warning, and driver assistance. Though these vehicles tend to be newer models and can be more costly, they can improve a driver’s sense of comfort and safety, making them well worth the price tag. As needed, look for vehicles with features such as higher seats, extra legroom, and a good hands-free system.

As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Embark on day and weekend trips at first to prepare for longer drives.¹ You’ll find out about potential travel issues with fewer downsides than if you jumped right into a huge trip. Of course, you can still plan a big journey; just experiment with a few shorter trips before embarking on the big one, whether you are a passenger or a driver.

Before you take off, sit in different car seats to see if a certain spot is especially comfortable or uncomfortable for you. You might find out how long you can sit comfortably in the front seat, or how long you can sit without being in pain.

Many folks, particularly those with nausea and vestibular disabilities, prefer the front seat since it is roomier and more adjustable. Looking directly at the horizon can help ease feelings of nausea. Plus, in an accident, you may be more likely to slam forward when sitting in the back.

If altering your seat position doesn’t bring the relief you hoped for, other adjustments can be made to your car to make for a more comfortable ride. If you are experiencing physical discomfort when driving, experiment with modifying the following:

• Braking
• Hand Control
• Signaling
• Steering

1. Learn to drive with your physical disability. Though there are typically no additional legal driving requirements for people with disabilities, if you developed a physical disability after learning to drive, you might need to adjust the way you operate your vehicle. A driver rehab specialist can help. Find an instructor near you on the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists website.³
2. Don’t forget to take your medications. Set prescription timer caps or phone reminders and try to keep similar schedules for meals, rest, and other parts of your routine.
3. Practice defensive driving. Don’t worry about driving slower than others — it’s not worth putting your health at risk to please others who may be driving faster than you or above the legal speed limit. Only travel with companions who understand your needs, whether they are a family member or a friend. Breaking up your group into multiple vehicles can also address these concerns.
4. Don’t rush. Schedule plenty of time for breaks and recovery, both during the trip and after. Ensure that sleeping conditions for each night are as comfortable as possible. If you need to, plan to stay in a hotel for a few more hours, or a whole day instead of driving for long stretches.
5. Manage pain during and after travel. Use accessories such as neck or seat cushions. Your doctor may have specific solutions based on your conditions.
6. Prepare for a medical emergency. Wear a medical ID bracelet, keep a printed list of medical information and medications handy, and create a similar list on your phone.
7. Know what you’ll do if your caregiver experiences fatigue. Plan ahead for several people to help your caregiver, or bring a professional caregiver/home health aide on the trip.
8. Avoid damage to wheelchairs and walkers. Secure your gear, whether it’s in the trunk or the cabin of the car. It’s easy for wheelchairs, walkers, and other equipment to jolt forward during a sudden stop and either hurt you, get damaged, or both.

Advance preparation can help make for smoother trips. For instance, route planning could help identify frequently congested areas that might prove stressful, as well as good spots for rests or meals.

1. Build extra time into your itinerary. Don’t push 12-hour travel days when eight hours is better for your health.
2. Map the route to minimize stressors. Suppose traffic jams cause you stress, which then worsens your symptoms. You could plan a route that avoids major highways, even if the trip takes longer. The extra time is worth your health and peace of mind.
3. Plan breaks around interesting sites or good picnic spots. Find multiple break spots ahead of time in case your first choice is closed.
4. Travel when the weather is good, if possible. Driving in low-visibility, icy conditions, or heavy rain is stressful for anyone. As needed, pull over and take a break if weather conditions worsen on your journey.
5. Scout wheelchair-accessible bathrooms ahead of time. State-run rest areas, as well as big chain stores like Starbucks, will typically have ADA-compliant facilities. Use a mobile app such as Flush to find accessible public restrooms along your route.⁵
6. Consider taking stops about every two hours. This can help improve your comfort levels and circulation when driving, and will help you stay rested and alert.
7. Consider bringing a travel companion. Travel companions can assist in navigation, and be a great source of moral support and company for those who find driving stressful. They can also help drivers to avoid the dangers of distracted driving by assisting with anything done on a phone, like locating restaurants, re-routing, or changing music.

About two weeks before your trip, note the supplies you use every day and how much of each you use. Consider bringing extra of your essential supplies. Common trip supplies include:

Car travel, especially for solo travelers with disabilities, can pose certain safety risks. Mechanical breakdowns in unsafe places like busy highways are a possibility, and additionally, studies have shown that people with disabilities can be at greater risk of being victims of violent crimes.⁶ It’s good to be prepared if your vehicle breaks down or if you feel unsafe at a rest stop.

The below can help you stay safe on the road:

1. Share your location with trusted contacts on your smartphone so they know where you are during your trip. Inform friends and family of your end destination and route before leaving.
2. Regularly maintain your vehicle—be sure to follow your vehicle’s recommended service schedule, and to check fluids such as oil and fuel before embarking on a longer journey.
3. Trust your gut if you’re in a situation that makes you uncomfortable.
4. Look into self-defense classes. Your community or local hospitals may offer some, either for people with your disability or adaptable classes. Organizations such as the Adaptive Martial Arts Association,⁷ Move United,⁸ and the Shepherd Center offer self-defense instruction.⁹ You could also consider legal protection items you’re comfortable using, such as pepper spray, which is generally legal throughout the United States for those over 18, or Kubatons (self-defense keychain weapons).
5. In addition to your personal supplies, be sure your car is equipped with jumper cables, a spare tire, a first aid kit, and road flares or reflective triangles. Consider adding roadside assistance to your insurance policy, or signing up for a AAA membership.

Service or emotional support animals are necessary for many car trips. As always, start with taking them on smaller travels and work your way up from there (particularly if the animals are not used to vehicles). Keep your animals secured in the vehicle, and pack their food, water bowl, treats, grooming supplies, and their bed or crate.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), car rental agencies are not allowed to charge pet deposit fees when you rent a car for travel with an official service animal. If the animal causes damage to the vehicle, though, the company can charge you. In contrast, rental agencies are allowed to charge deposit fees for emotional support animals, which do not count as official service animals according to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Service animals are trained to complete specific tasks or duties, and emotional support animals are not.¹⁰

When shopping around for the best auto insurance, remember that no two plans are completely the same, and that every customer has unique insurance needs. Consider what kind of coverage is most important to you, and what will bring you the most peace of mind when traveling. That could be excellent customer service, 24 hour roadside assistance should anything go awry on your trip, or naming another driver on your policy who can assist you on your trip should you need a break from driving.

Talk with a medical provider, friend/family member, or insurance agent about the kind of insurance that will best suit your needs as a driver with a disability, to help you feel the most protected and confident while out on the road.

Traveling with a physical disability is doable in many situations, especially with patience, flexibility, and persistence. It may be that a trip of one or two days is all you can realistically manage, and that is perfectly fine. The quality, not the quantity, of your car trips is what really matters.