We had a question yesterday on the blog asking about how we cater for disabled drivers in the UK, so I thought I’d write to provide some clarity on this policy. Under the Disability Discrimination Act it is our duty to ensure that we make the appropriate modifications to our vehicles that would allow a disabled person to drive them. In the UK we do this by fitting our cars with Lynx Hand Controls. They adapt the brake and accelerator pedals of an automatic car to enable these functions to be operated by hand, allowing drivers with lower limb disability but normal upper body function to drive the car.
These controls will be fitted for free so to ensure that disabled drivers are fairly catered for. We simply require a couple of days’ notice to ensure we have supply of the controls and so that we have adequate time to fit them. To request a vehicle with Lynx Hand Controls fitted I would recommend calling the reservation centre on 08445 81 81 81. Alternatively, you can call the rental office directly to make this request after making your booking.
June 14th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Rob,
thanks for your clarity on the hand controls. I have booked a car accordingly. I must admit that it is a great service that you offer. However a couple of comments.
1. I have called the number to request hand controls. However, I have no confirmation of that. Recently I had the experience with Avis (but here in South Africa) where the car was booked, but the and control requirement had been overlooked. It would be comforting if the hand control booking was reflected on my online booking receipt.
2. We are arriving at Heathrow, and I understand that there is a short bus ride to the collection point from the Terminal. However, is that bus accessible? I understand that the cars cannot be kept at the terminal for security reasons, but I am concerned that this may be an added complication.
June 16th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Hi Guy, thanks for the feedback. I appreciate that a lack of confirmation is of concern and I will take a look into the possibility of scheduling future development work to resolve this. In the meantime if you could email your reservation number to comments@avis.co.uk I’ll take a look at your booking and double check that this requirement is noted in there.
With regards to your 2nd question, we do have 3 buses at Heathrow that are fitted with wheel chair ramps and wheel chair restraints. If you speak to a rental agent at the Avis rental desk at Arrivals (or use the phone if you are flying in to Terminal 5) then they will make sure that one of these buses is on it’s way to pick you up. They will also provide an extra member of staff if any assistance is required.
I think this answers your questions/concerns but let me know if you need any further info!
Rob
June 16th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Rob,
You DO try harder! Thank you for your helpful observations, and thank you for taking my comments on board. I shall certainly be recommending Avis to colleagues in wheelchairs travelling to the UK.
Guy
June 17th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
I appreciate you taking the time to feedback Guy. Happy to help!
December 31st, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Rob, I have to congratulate you and AVIS for providing this service, as traveling home to the UK has always been a major pain when it came to car hire and the flexibility that offered my travel plans. I will be booking my reservation by the means you’ve outlined above. I have to say that dealing with your competition ( i admit I went with Htz at the first attempt) has been very frustrating and ultimately useless.
I look forward to driving with Avis in February. I’ll follow the advice re. the bus trip to collect the vehicle as I too come into T5.
Many thanks in advance.
January 2nd, 2009 at 9:09 am
Hi Lochlann,
Thanks for the feedback. Hoep you have an enjoyable trip in February.
Stephen
January 2nd, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Lochlann,
I can assure you that the service that Avis offers at Heathrow does work very effectively. I was able to inform the desk via the phone provided that I needed to use an accessible bus, and they were able to tell me exactly when it would be outside to collect me. When I travelled back, I was travelling alone (with some awkward luggage), and the bus driver was very helpful (without being condescending). I would not hesitate to recommend Avis to wheelchair users travelling to the UK.
The vehicle that I hired had a temporary set of hand controls fitted, which did take a little bit of getting used to, but that did not take long, and I was able to safely drive all over the UK, including a short visit to Edinburgh.
Guy
February 4th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Nice to that Avis is doing hand controls in the UK, although it would be even nicer to see the option added to the online booking system like Hertz does. Nevertheless, I’ll be giving the service ago next time I fly into the Manchester.
February 5th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Hi Andy,
Thanks for your feedback. I will send your comments onto our web development team to see what we can do.
Regards,
Stephen
March 4th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Just wanted to say thanks to the AVIS team as my hire went extremely smoothly. The Lynx control is easy to use but a bit hard on the hand (I’m used to left=side control so maybe that was a difference). Otherwise brilliant. Will be using it again in August. <Does the facility exist at either of the Belfast airports?
March 5th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Hi Lochlann,
It’s great to hear that your trip went smoothly and I’m glad we were able to provide the necessary equipment.
This service is available at all Avis UK rental locations (including Northern Ireland), as long as it is booked in advance at least 2 days before the hire takes place.
Stephen
May 26th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
do you have any provisions for carrying an electric wheelchair or mobility scooter
May 29th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Hi Sandy, I apologise for the late response. Would you be able to clarify what kind of provisions you would find helpful in carrying a mobility scooter or electric wheelchair (beyond what we have written about in the blog post above)?
Our rental staff are always keen to accommodate where required. If you could let us know what you need and when and where you are planning to rent a car, then we will do what we can to help.
Rob
June 4th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Can you clarify if the hand control scheme extends to rentals from Avis Prestige please? Initial enquiries I have made so far seem to say that it doesn’t, which seems strange?
Thanks
June 5th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Hi Sarah, hand controls can be fitted to Avis Prestige vehicles. I should advise that they need to two weeks notice to order in the controls though.
Otherwise your own controls can be fitted, if you have them.
Let me know if you need any more help!
Rob
September 30th, 2009 at 4:20 am
read ur blogs on disabled drivers i drive a car in australia auto that has aremovable peddle for left foot accelarator and brake do u have this function for disabled drivers thank u william docherty
October 1st, 2009 at 9:29 am
Hi William, unfortunately we do not have cars with this adaptation as this would require a permanent adaptation of the vehicle. The adaptations we offer are for the hand controls which temporarily adapt the brake and the accelerator pedal of an automatic car to hand operation.
Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
Rob
October 6th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Rob,
As William above had posted I was in fact after a car that would offer a left peddle accelerator. It is a shame that Avis does not offer this.
Are these hand control difficult to operate? Where do your legs rest whilst driving? Are these lynx ones the same ones you use in the USA?
I ask this as I will be going to the states and have requested hand controls, but having never used them I’m just a little curious.
Many thanks,
Daniel
October 8th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Hi Dan, the lynx hand controls website provides an overview of how they work (with pictures)…
http://www.lynxcontrols.com/photos/default.htm
I’ve just emailed the team in the US to find out exactly what they offer. I’ll post a response as soon as I hear back from them.
Rob
October 12th, 2009 at 9:16 am
Hi Dan, I’ve heard back from the US. They use a similar hand control unit called Monarch Mark 1-A. There is more information on their website: http://www.accessams.com/Driving_Aids/Hand_Controls/Hand_controls__2_/Monarch_Mark_1A/monarch_mark_1a.html.
Does this give you everything you need?
Rob
November 9th, 2009 at 4:47 am
Hi Rob
We will be travelling to the UK in July next year. Rob do you have a van that is capable of having a wheelchair passenger and also 4 other people. The disabled passenger would not be driving so normal controls would be needed.
many thanks
November 10th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Hi Marc,
Which office are you looking to pick up from as “vans” as such we don’t really offer in the UK. Would you require a van that would permit the wheelchair to enter the vehicle and be placed “instead” of a seat? Or something with easier access e.g. a sliding door? The closet we could probably offer would be something like the medium people carriers e.g. Vauxhall Zafira, Renault Grand Scenic which are wider and more spacious however if you let me know more details I’ll see if there is anything else I can find out for you.
Chris
May 13th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
Hi,
I know you’re UK based, but is there any central point that I can check what services are available in other countries. I’m thinking of going to Poland with my polish girlfriend who doesn’t drive, would I be able to get hand controls there? Alternatively can I take my own lynx controls and fit them to the car myself?
Regards
Struan
May 27th, 2010 at 7:40 am
Hello Steve,
Sorry for the delay in answering your question, we have been waiting for information back from Avis Poland about your question. Unfortunately they do not do hand controls nor would they permit you to put your own in the car due to insurance reasons,
Apologies again,
Michael
July 24th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
hi could anybody please confirm to me that avis still do hand control cars in jan to march 2011 as i am trying to book a 46 day rental pick up and drop off cape town international airport.
many thanks
July 29th, 2010 at 10:29 am
Hello Mr.Spooner,
I talked directly to Cape Town and they still do the hand controls. You need to book the car through our call-centre(0844 581 81 81 81) and they will put it on request. The branch will confirm the booking and they will modify the car two or three days before you arrive and have it ready.
Hope this helps,
Michael
July 29th, 2010 at 10:32 am
Hi Mr. Spooner,
Sorry,I was too hasty typing the call centre number. The correct one is 0844 581 81 81,
Michael
July 29th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Mr Spooner,
Just to back up Michael’s comment. I live in Cape Town, and can assure you that Avis do offer hand controls at all the major airports in South Africa. I travel around the country quite a bit, and always make use of their services. The controls are (in my opinion) better than the controls on the UK cars as they are permanent, rather than the temporary ones used there. I can also suggest you contact Victor Motlhabi who always personally helps to arrange my bookings (you may mention my name if you wish, Guy Davies), and I am sure you will be well looked after.
BTW, I am not connected to Avis in any way, but have been very happy with the sevice I have received from them both in South Africa, and in Europe!
Guy
August 19th, 2010 at 10:49 am
Could you please let me know if there is an upper age limit on the rental of your cars for disabled drivers and would they be allowed to drive on a South African drivers licence, also would you fit the controls to any automatic car or one of your choosing.
Thanks
August 20th, 2010 at 10:46 am
Hi Catherine,
The answers to these questions depend on which country you will be renting in but I will base the answers I give on picking the car up in the U.K.
So, firstly there is no upper-age limit in the U.K. for disabled drivers and you can also use the South African licence to hire,providing it’s a full, clean licence, held for at least a year.
Hand controls can be fitted free of charge to any automatic car. A minimum of 72 hours’ notice is required.
I hope this helps and if you are renting anywhere else other than the U.K. I can post the information here for you if you need it.
Regards,
Michael
October 12th, 2010 at 12:50 am
I’ve had success booking through AVIS at Heathrow in the past but this time I had no luck. I called the reservation line and made the usual request, told to wait 3 days or so for an email – and when it came it told me it wasn’t possible. Have AVIS stopped this great service? Or did my dates work against me (Dec 20th – Jan 4th).
Would appreciate a quick response as I may have to change my plans radically.
October 12th, 2010 at 9:55 am
Hi,
I am currently trying to contact Heathrow to find out why they have denied the request for hand controls. I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Regards,
Michael
October 19th, 2010 at 11:42 am
Hi Lochlann,
I have replied to you off this blog and trust you will have no problem with the hand controls when you pick up the car in December.
Regards,
Michael
October 25th, 2010 at 7:58 am
Hi Lochlann,
This is all sorted out with the Avis office, have a good holiday,
Regards,
Michael
October 29th, 2010 at 10:12 am
Does Avis do anything more than just lynx hand controls?…i mean for disabled drivers. What about wheelchair accessible vehicles, do you offer these to travellers coming into the Uk?
November 1st, 2010 at 4:31 pm
HELLO MICHAEL
VERY INTERESTING TO READ THE OTHER COMMENTS. LOOKS LIKE AVIS IS DOING A GREAT JOB!
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF HAND CONTROLS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE CHARLES DE GAUL AIRPORT IN PARIS.
IS THERE AN EXTRA COST ASSOCIATED WITH THE RENTAL
THANKS
GEOFF
November 2nd, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Hi Geoff,
Unfortunately at the moment there is no such service in general in France.
If it’s a regular item in this blog maybe Avis could change this in the future.
Regards,
Michael
November 4th, 2010 at 9:05 am
Hi Francis,
In answer to your query about wheelchair accessible vehicles, Avis do not offer these at the moment. I have checked in Google and there is a few really good websites that offer adapted cars/vans.
I hope you find something thats suits your needs.
Best Regards,
Michael
November 4th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Thank you Michael for your reply, although i would have thought Avis would have offered such vehicles, is that not discrimination against wheelchair users who need to travel in a vehicle? Whilst you directed me to some very good sites, of which the most accomodating were Adapted vehicle hire ltd,they were extremely pleasant and very knowledgable, nothing was too much trouble. why dont you get someone like that to assist you. there are a lot of us wheelchair users out there that have to travel for business as well as pleasure, and i understand it is a specialist area, but one which perhaps you could steal a march on your competitors.
November 15th, 2010 at 11:58 am
Hi Michael,
I have not yet had a reply from you in relation to my previous email, why not?
Frances reynolds
December 17th, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Hi Frances
Thank you for your comment and I am very sorry for the delayed response.
I am glad our advice was helpful and Adapted Vehicle Hire is indeed a great company. At Avis UK we do offer a full range of adapted vehicles from our fleet using Lynx Hand Controls.
The fully adapted vehicle rental market is a highly specialised area and whilst we do provide a range of automatic passenger cars and hand controls upon request, where customers have more specialised requirements which are beyond our capabilities we endeavour to help customers needing these vehicles by liaising with experts such as Adapted Vehicle Hire rather than providing a substandard service.
We will investigate the opportunity further, as we agree that we could further enhance our offering to this big and important group of customers.
Please let me know if you have any other comments or feedback.
Nick
March 6th, 2011 at 9:45 pm
We are arranging a holiday for three adults to Delaware, flying into Philadelphia USA during Sept 2011. My husband I and need an adapted disabled passenger vehicle with ramp or lift access for our adult son wheelchair user. We need to clamp the wheelchair into position in the vehicle. Please email details of availability and choices and costs.
Thank you
Kay Dineen
March 11th, 2011 at 6:26 pm
Dear Kay,
Apologies for the delay, as per the email i sent you yesterday, i am looking into this with Avis Staff in America, as soon as they get back to me i will email you with all the details they give me.
Desiree – Reservations UK
March 17th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
Can I just say that I am disgusted at Avis. I called today to try and get a vehicle for my father who requires hand controls due to limited mobility in his right leg. I was told by both your contact centre AND your Ipswich branch that you do NOT supply cars with Hand Controls and that I would not be able to get one for my father.
The hire was for the 23rd of March and I cannot belive that an international company like Avis would say this and not accomodate disabled customers. It is frankly not acceptable and I will NEVER even consider Avis if you treat disabled customers with such disregard and lack of caring.
My opinion of Avis has dropped massively and I would never recommend you to anyone now.
March 22nd, 2011 at 3:28 pm
Hello Mr Allen,
Please accept our sincere apologies for the misleading information you have received.
I can confirm that the option to install disabled hand controls is available at all our UK locations. We offer this service through a specialised third party company, who install ‘Lynx hand controls’ – this control adapts the brake and the accelerator pedal of an automatic car to hand operation.
I have spoken to the location who are now fully aware of the process and will provide the service as per Avis policy.
If there is anything other information you would like to know regarding this, please forward any questions to comments@avis.co.uk
Regards
Rodger – Marketing
April 21st, 2011 at 5:44 pm
On 4th February 2009, “Andy” posted a comment stating that Avis does not include hand controls in the “booking section”. I have noticed that I can reserve as many GPS units, Baby seats & other equipment as I like but, 2 years after this was brought to your attention, I still cannot book a vehicle with hand controls throught the website. Wasn’t this supposed to be brought to the attention of your web design team? Also, does AVIS only use LYNX controls or is another “more permanent” set of controls available. I used the Lynx set last time I bkked a car but just wanted to enquire if anything else is available.Cheers, Ivor
April 26th, 2011 at 11:17 am
Hello Ivor,
We took Andy’s comments on board in 2009 and looked into integrating the ability to book hand controls on our website.
There are a number of issues we when dealing with a third party company. In this case product availability as well as third party processes meant that unfortunately, it was not feasible to integrate this into our website. Therefore we still operate the same process as we did during your last rental.
We still believe that integrating this would be a benefit to our customers so will keep it in mind as we develop our website in the future.
Regards,
Rodger – Marketing
July 30th, 2011 at 5:33 pm
i think this thread is useful but it just shows that hertz are way ahead of the competition here. the hand controls fitted by hertz are much more solid – they are fixed just like on my everyday car. also their website has hand controls as an option (priceless).
having used both hertz and avis controls, there is no contest. but i would love avis to raise its game to match hertz.
January 2nd, 2012 at 6:45 pm
I need a hand controlled car in the south of france this July. Can your company supply this?
January 10th, 2012 at 3:40 am
[...] Car hire for disabled drivers | Avis blogMay 28, 2008 … In Avis services, products and fleet · Post to Twitter. We had a question yesterday on the blog asking about how we cater for disabled drivers in … [...]
January 20th, 2012 at 4:27 pm
Hello Zev,
I have double checked this with France and unfortunately we do not have the option of hand controls available just yet.
Sorry for the inconvenience this may cause.
Lucy, on behalf of Desiree – Reservations UK