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Not every driving adaptation is a full set of hand controls. Sometimes the change needed is smaller and more specific: a way to work the gas pedal with the left foot, or a way to steer with one hand. Two common driving aids handle those jobs, the left-foot accelerator and the spinner knob.
This guide explains what each one does, using MPS's published descriptions, and the steps to take before either is fitted.
The left-foot accelerator
MPS says its Left Foot Accelerator is intended for people who need to operate the accelerator with their left foot. It sits to the left of the brake pedal and is mechanically linked to the vehicle's original accelerator pedal, so pressing it works the gas just as the right pedal would.
The pedal guard
Having two accelerators at once would be a hazard, so the MPS device includes a Pedal Guard. MPS says the guard shields the vehicle's original accelerator pedal to prevent its use. This keeps a right foot from pressing the gas by habit or by accident.
Sharing the car
Many households share a vehicle. MPS says the left-foot accelerator's Quick Release function makes removal easy when it is not needed by other drivers, so a family member who drives with the standard pedals can take it off and put it back.
A note on habit
Driving with the left foot is a new skill for most people, even experienced drivers. Years of right-foot driving do not transfer automatically. That is one of the reasons training after fitting matters as much as the device itself.
Spinner knobs and other steering devices
A spinner knob attaches to the steering wheel and gives one hand a firm grip to turn the wheel. MPS says its spinner knob is usually used in conjunction with hand controls, or by those who need to steer with only one hand. It also has a Quick Release function for other drivers.
MPS offers several steering devices because hands differ. A few examples from MPS's own descriptions:
- Quad Fork Spinner: designed to make it easier for those with reduced hand strength.
- Tri-Pin Spinner: designed for those with reduced strength and dexterity to have better control of the steering wheel.
- Amputee Spinner: designed for use with a prosthetic device to give better control of the steering wheel.
MPS also lists Palm, Single Post and Clamshell spinners on its products page. The right one depends on how a person's hand grips, how much strength it has, and how much the wrist and fingers can move.
Why these often go together with other aids
A driver who uses hand controls has one hand on the control lever, so the other hand steers alone; a spinner knob makes that easier. A driver who uses a left-foot accelerator may also need help reaching other controls. MPS lists accessories such as a parking brake extension, gear shift extension, right turn lever and drop-down turn signal for this kind of need.
An evaluation comes first
These devices are small, but they change how a car is driven. MPS's Get Evaluated page says that before attempting to drive with its driving aids or any other, it is essential to be evaluated by a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS). MPS describes an evaluation as generally including a clinical assessment and a behind-the-wheel assessment, and lists steering devices such as spinner knobs among the adaptations that may be recommended.
State licensing agencies may expect the same. The Virginia DMV, for example, names left foot accelerators and spinner knobs among the adaptive equipment for which drivers newly in need of it should be referred for an evaluation by a Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist. Rules vary by state, so check with yours.
Fitting and moving to a new vehicle
Both devices are installed equipment, fitted to a particular vehicle. We work with a team of credentialed local specialists to guarantee timely, safe, and optimal delivery and installation. MPS notes that in most cases both the left-foot accelerator and the spinner knob can be transferred to a new vehicle by a qualified mobility professional. MPS states that all its products are covered by a 5 year limited warranty.
Making the change smoothly
Whatever devices you end up with, give yourself time. Practice first in an empty parking lot or a quiet street, ideally with the training your evaluator recommends. Drive the routes you know before the ones you do not. If other people in the household drive the car, show them how the quick-release parts come off and go back on, and agree on where removed parts are kept so they are never left loose in the footwell, where they could slide under a pedal. Keep a note in the glove box explaining the devices for anyone who services the vehicle.
Questions for your evaluation
- Do I need a left-foot accelerator, hand controls, or both?
- Which spinner style suits my grip and strength?
- Which side of the wheel should the spinner go on?
- Will other people drive this car, and how will they remove or work around the devices?
- What training should I plan for after fitting?
See the driving aids
Browse the driving aids collection: the MPS Left Foot Accelerator, the MPS Steering Spinner Knobs, the MPS Driving Control Extensions and the MPS Monarch Mark 1A Mechanical Hand Controls.
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