Can I still drive after becoming a paraplegic?

Author: Yu Luying; Chief Judge: Zhai Hua

Unit: Shanghai Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center)

This popular science work is one of the popular science materials in the series "Don't be afraid of spinal cord injuries, there are ways to prevent and rehabilitate them"

Can a person with spinal cord injury who has caused bilateral lower limb paraplegia still drive? This is a question that many injured people are concerned about. Mr. Gu, an injured person, just got his driver's license and a new car. Let's listen to his answer.

Note: The registration and examination for the C5 driver's license are similar to those for the C1, except that the vehicle models for learning are slightly different. The C5 vehicle models are specially modified. The C5 driver's license also has three subjects for examination, and the passing requirements are similar to those for the C1.
Before applying for a driver's license, we must first ensure that our upper limbs are fully functional. For specific physical limitations, please refer to the regulations on the application and use of motor vehicle driver's licenses issued by the Traffic Management Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security:

http://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2022/content_5679696.htm

So how do you get yourself and your wheelchair in and out of the car?

01

Transfer from wheelchair to driver's seat:

(1) Drive the wheelchair to the side of the vehicle and open the door.

(2) Drive the wheelchair between the door and the driver's seat, making the wheelchair seat as close to the seat as possible.

(3) Brake the wheelchair, remove the wheelchair armrest near the driver's seat, remove the foot pedal, hook your right leg under the knee with both hands, and lift your right leg into the car.

(4) Support the seat with your right hand and hold the frame with your left hand.

(5) Lower your head and reach into the car, using both hands to push your body onto the seat.

(6) Move the left leg onto the vehicle to complete the transfer.

0 2Put the wheelchair into the car, sit in the driver's seat and put the wheelchair in the back seat.

(1) Sit in the driver's seat of the car, first adjust the car seat as far back as possible, and then lower the car seat back.

(2) Hold the steering wheel with your right hand, lean your body outward, and use your left hand to first remove the wheelchair cushion and carry it into the car, then fold the wheelchair.

(3) Lean the folded wheelchair toward the door and remove the large wheel on the right side.

(4) Lean back and use both hands to move the large right wheel to the back seat.

(5) Use your left hand to pull the wheelchair to the side close to the injured person (with the left large wheel facing upwards) and remove the left large wheel.

(6) Use the same method to move the left large wheel and the wheelchair to the back seat.

03

How to take the wheelchair out of the car: Please follow the above method and do it in reverse.

Tips: If it is difficult to move the wheelchair, you can also use the power of technology, such as robotic arms.

After obtaining a C5 driver's license and purchasing a regular automatic passenger car, you must go to a qualified auto repair shop for modification. There are two main modification items:

One is to add a manual joystick - installed at the automatic gear handle, integrating the accelerator, brake, turn signal switch and horn, etc.;

The second is to install a universal wheel on the steering wheel to facilitate single-handed control of the direction.

After the modification, the vehicle must go to the vehicle management office for a safety test. It can only be driven on the road after passing the test. The vehicle must also be posted with a special sign for disabled motor vehicles.

- A hand-driving device can generally be modified after purchase. After the modification, the installation company must issue a "Certificate of Qualification for Installation of Auxiliary Devices".

The vehicle management offices in Shanghai that can be registered include: Vehicle Management Office 1, 2, and 3.

Be sure to affix a special sign for disabled motor vehicles before driving on the road.

After the vehicle modification is registered, you can drive on the road with your driver's license.

(Some of the pictures in this article are from the Internet. The above content is for reference only. Please refer to the official information.)

References:

[1]. C5 driving license:

https://baike.baidu.com/item/C5 Driving license

[2] Changes in the registration of auxiliary devices installed on small and micro automatic passenger cars for the disabled:

https://www.122.cn/bmfw/bszn/jdcgl/382585.shtml

[3] Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses:

https://baike.baidu.com/item/Motor Vehicle Driving License Application and Use Regulations

[4] Order No. 162 of the Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China:

http://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2022/content_5679696.htm

[5]. Zhai Hua, Liu Jun. A Guide to Rebuilding the Capacity of People with Spinal Cord Injury[M]. Shanghai Science and Technology Press, 2017.08.