Car Parts and Accessories

A physically disabled person may apply for a driver’s licence, provided that he does not suffer from any of these disabilities or illnesses:

Uncontrolled epilepsy.

Sudden attacks of disabling giddiness or fainting due to hypertension or any other cause.

Any form of mental illness where it is necessary to detain, supervise, control and treat the person as a patient in terms of the Mental Health Act.

Any condition causing muscular incoordination.

Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.

Defective vision as determined by the various provincial administrators.

Any other disease or disability that is likely to render a person incapable of effectively driving and controlling a motor vehicle. However, deafness alone is not deemed to be a disability.

Addiction to any narcotic drug or excessive use of intoxicating liquor.

Other circumstances decided by a provincial administrator.

A driver who passes the driving test while wearing glasses, an artificial limb or other physical aid, is granted a licence on this condition—which much be endorsed on the licence.

If you suffer from any of these disabilities, you must disclose this when applying for a licence. Also, if you develop any disability that disqualifies you from driving, you must surrender your licence to the provincial secretary within 21 days of becoming aware of the disqualifying cause.

However, where a disabled person’s reflexes and muscular co-ordination have not been impaired, there is nothing to stop him from driving, provided that the vehicle is correctly converted, modified or adapted so that the driver is able to exercise full control over it—for example, many quadriplegics are able to drive vehicles without undue difficulty.

Applying for a licence

When applying for a driving licence, a disabled person should follow the same procedure as an able-bodied driver, although it is possibly a good idea to ask for a senior official to help you with the application for your learner’s licence.

Submit a doctor’s letter with your application, which alerts the official to the degree of your disability. In the larger centres, he will advise you on the modifications required to your car. When taking the test for a driver’s licence, you will require a suitably adapted vehicle.

Should you already possess a driver’s licence when you become disabled, it will have to be handed to the Licensing Department for endorsement.

The Institute for Advanced Motorists (IAM) will train the disabled driver in some centres, while in others they will put you in touch with a driving school qualified to do so.

The schools at Cape Town and Johannesburg each have a modified vehicle. At the other centres you must have an adapted car before tuition can be given.

Parking concessions

Certain municipalities allow parking concessions for disabled persons, issuing a disc with the town’s coat of arms. However, the disc is recognised only by the issuing municipality and if you live in one area, work in another and shop in a third, you could need three.

Disabled persons needing a disc should approach their nearest Independent Living Centre, detailing the nature of their disablility. A nominal fee is payable.

In Johannesburg and surrounding areas, the following concessions are available:

1 Full concession for severely disabled drivers or for vehicles transporting severely disabled persons. This enables you to:

* Park in a no-parking area and within five metres of a building line for 60 minutes, if no other parking space is available;

* Park in a time-restricted / meter area for longer than is allowed, provided that it is not ‘all day’ parking nor in the proximity of your residence or place of employment.

2 Meter concession for those who have difficulty walking any distance, mounting steps and being able to return before the meter expires. Parking is allowed in time-restricted / meter areas for longer than indicated on the meter, provided it is not ‘all day’ parking nor within the proximity of your place of work or residence.

In all cases the initial meter fee has to be inserted. The concession is not for free parking but prolonged parking. The concession does not extend to areas where the stopping of vehicles is prohibited, loading zones, or in front of vehicle entrances or fire breaks.

The disc, issued only to a particular person and vehicle, is not transferable; if the vehicle or driver changes, a new one must be obtained. Discs are renewed annually, and before a new disc is issued, the old one has to be returned. If a disc is lost or stolen, this must be reported to the Independent Living Centre immediately. If the concession is abused, the disc will be withdrawn.

Car rental

Avis Car Rentals provide hand controls which can be fitted to their vehicles, provided they are given 72 hours’ notice. The minimum period of rental is one day, with no maximum. Cars are also available for learner drivers. Charge rates are the same as for regular cars.

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