Driving and Transportation as an Amputee

For many amputees, the freedom to drive is not only about getting from point A to B—it’s about independence, self‐confidence, and full participation in everyday life. Advances in adaptive driving technologies combined with supportive regulations across North America make it possible for individuals with limb loss to safely and confidently drive. This guide explores the latest adaptive technologies, explains licensing and modification standards, and includes a complete directory of government resources for the United States and Canada.

Adaptive Driving Technologies

Modern vehicles can be adapted to meet a wide range of physical needs. Common adaptations include:

Hand Controls: Allowing the use of the hands to operate brakes and accelerators when foot control isn’t feasible.
Left Foot Accelerators: For those missing a limb on the right side, vehicles can be modified so that the left foot operates the accelerator.
Steering Aids: Spinner knobs, joystick controls, or other assistive devices can be attached to the steering wheel for improved maneuverability.
Customized Seating and Controls: Swiveling seats, pedal extensions, and other ergonomic modifications improve access and comfort.
Wheelchair Lifts and Securements: Specialized modifications ensure that mobility devices are safely integrated into adapted vehicles.

Installation must be performed by certified professionals, and a formal driving evaluation by an occupational therapist or certified driving rehabilitation specialist is often required to ensure that the modifications meet safety standards.

Licensing and Regulations in the United States

In the United States, regulations and licensing requirements are set at the state level. Many states require that an amputee’s vehicle modifications are inspected or certified and that a specialized driving assessment is completed. Below is a complete list of state agencies and their official websites, where you can find detailed information on adaptive equipment guidelines, driver evaluations, and licensing procedures.

United States:

Alabama: Alabama Department of Public Safety – https://www.alea.gov/dps

Alaska: Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles – https://doa.alaska.gov/dmv/

Arizona: Arizona Department of Transportation – Motor Vehicles Services – https://azdot.gov/motor-vehicles-services

Arkansas: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration – https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov

California: California DMV – https://www.dmv.ca.gov

Colorado: Colorado DMV – https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dmv

Connecticut: Connecticut DMV – https://portal.ct.gov/DMV

Delaware: Delaware DMV – https://www.dmv.de.gov

Florida: Florida DHSMV – https://www.flhsmv.gov

Georgia: Georgia Department of Driver Services – https://dds.georgia.gov

Hawaii: Hawaii Driver Licensing – https://doa.hawaii.gov/driver-licensing/

Idaho: Idaho Transportation Department – DMV – https://itd.idaho.gov/itddmv/

Illinois: CyberDrive Illinois – https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com

Indiana: Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles – https://www.in.gov/bmv/

Iowa: Iowa DMV – https://iowadot.gov/mvd

Kansas: Kansas Department of Revenue – Division of Vehicles – https://www.ksrevenue.org/dov.html

Kentucky: Kentucky Driver Licensing – https://drive.ky.gov

Louisiana: Louisiana Department of Public Safety – https://www.dps.louisiana.gov

Maine: Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles – https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/driverlicense.html

Maryland: Maryland MVA – https://mva.maryland.gov

Massachusetts: Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles – https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-registry-of-motor-vehicles

Michigan: Michigan Secretary of State – https://www.michigan.gov/sos

Minnesota: Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services – https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/Pages/default.aspx

Mississippi: Mississippi Department of Public Safety – https://www.dps.ms.gov

Missouri: Missouri Department of Revenue – https://dor.mo.gov

Montana: Montana Office of Driver Services – https://dojmt.gov/driving/

Nebraska: Nebraska DMV – https://dmv.nebraska.gov

Nevada: Nevada DMV – https://dmv.nv.gov

New Hampshire: New Hampshire DMV – https://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/dmv/

New Jersey: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission – https://www.state.nj.us/mvc

New Mexico: New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division – https://www.mvd.newmexico.gov

New York: New York DMV – https://dmv.ny.gov

North Carolina: North Carolina DMV – https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv

North Dakota: North Dakota DMV – https://www.dot.nd.gov/divisions/driving-licensing

Ohio: Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles – https://www.bmv.ohio.gov

Oklahoma: Oklahoma Department of Public Safety – https://www.ok.gov/dps

Oregon: Oregon DMV – https://www.oregon.gov/odot

Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania DMV – https://www.dmv.pa.gov

Rhode Island: Rhode Island DMV – http://www.dmv.ri.gov

South Carolina: South Carolina DMV – https://www.scdmvonline.com

South Dakota: South Dakota Department of Public Safety – https://dps.sd.gov

Tennessee: Tennessee Driver Services – https://www.tn.gov/safety/driver-services

Texas: Texas Department of Public Safety – https://www.dps.texas.gov

Utah: Utah Driver License Division – https://dld.utah.gov

Vermont: Vermont DMV – https://dmv.vermont.gov

Virginia: Virginia DMV – https://www.dmv.virginia.gov

Washington: Washington State Department of Licensing – https://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/

West Virginia: West Virginia DMV – https://transportation.wv.gov/dmv/Pages/default.aspx

Wisconsin: Wisconsin Driver Licensing – Department of Transportation – https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/online-srvcs/driver-licensing.aspx

Wyoming: Wyoming Driver Licensing – DOT – https://www.dot.state.wy.us/home/driver_license.aspx

Note: Many states provide detailed guidelines for adaptive vehicle modifications and driver evaluations on their websites. It’s always best to consult your local DMV or equivalent agency for the most up-to-date information and specific requirements.

Canada

In Canada, driver licensing and vehicle modification standards are managed at the provincial and territorial level. Each province and territory has its own set of rules and resources for adaptive driving. Below is a comprehensive list of Canadian regions along with their official websites for driver licensing and transportation information.

Alberta: Alberta Transportation – https://www.alberta.ca/transportation.aspx
British Columbia: ICBC – Insurance Corporation of British Columbia – https://www.icbc.com
Manitoba: Manitoba Public Insurance – https://www.mpi.mb.ca/driver_services
New Brunswick: Service New Brunswick – https://www2.snb.ca/content/snb/en.html
Newfoundland and Labrador: Newfoundland and Labrador Driver Licensing – https://www.gov.nl.ca/fin/driver-licences/
Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia Driver Licensing – https://novascotia.ca/sns/driver-licence/
Ontario: Ontario Ministry of Transportation – https://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/
Prince Edward Island: PEI Driver Licensing – https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/topic/driver-licence
Quebec: SAAQ – Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec – https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en
Saskatchewan: SGI – Saskatchewan Government Insurance – https://www.sgi.sk.ca
Northwest Territories: NWT Driver Licensing – Department of Infrastructure – https://www.dot.gov.nt.ca
Nunavut: Nunavut Government – Driver Licensing – https://www.gov.nu.ca
Yukon: Yukon Transportation, Vehicles and Motoring – https://yukon.ca/en/transportation-vehicles-and-motoring

Transportation Alternatives Beyond Personal Driving

While adaptive driving enables independence behind the wheel, other transportation options may also be beneficial:

Paratransit Services: Available in many cities, offering door-to-door service for people with disabilities.

Accessible Public Transit: Federal and provincial regulations require public transit systems to accommodate persons with disabilities.

Ridesharing and Community Programs: Organizations and specialized services provide transport solutions tailored to individual needs.

These alternatives can complement personal driving or serve as reliable options when adaptive modifications are not practical.

Transportation Alternatives Beyond Personal Driving

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): ADA.gov
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): NHTSA.gov
Transport Canada: tc.canada.ca

National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA): Connects drivers with certified adaptive equipment dealers.