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N/A - Amputation - RaineMan

A friend has had his lower left leg amputated. He has been told he needs to tell the DVLA and winders what the likely outcome will be. Will he get an automatic only licence. He is keen to get back on his BMW motorbike after converting to hand gearchange.

N/A - Amputation - Zippy123

AIUI manual cars can be adapted for people with missing limbs.

https://www.amputee-coalition.org/

and

https://www.amputee-coalition.org/driving-as-an-amputee-what-you-need-to-know/

N/A - Amputation - craig-pd130

He'll certainly be able to ride his bike, no problem. I've chatted at length to a man who had his right leg amputated mid-thigh many years ago, and rides without a prosthetic.

He rides a lightly modified SV650, it has a hydraulic thumb brake lever on the left handlebar. He also carries crutches on the bike, so when he stops, he flicks down the side stand and unloads the crutches.

There are a couple of companies that sell quick-shifter style gearchange mechanisms for those with disabilities / amputations, such as https://www.kliktronic.co.uk/

N/A - Amputation - RT

As it's a left leg amputation, he should be able to drive any automatic car without modification - get one with "tiptronic" manual facility and he'll feel at home.

He will need to notify DVLA and there may be delays while the investigate - he needs to keep onside with his GP and orthopedic consultant, indeed the latter may be able to provide information on the issue.

Edited by RT on 27/08/2020 at 08:56

N/A - Amputation - concrete

As it's a left leg amputation, he should be able to drive any automatic car without modification - get one with "tiptronic" manual facility and he'll feel at home.

What about HJ left foot braking technique??

Only joking RT

Cheers Concrete

N/A - Amputation - Andrew-T

He'll certainly be able to ride his bike, no problem. I've chatted at length to a man who had his right leg amputated mid-thigh many years ago, and rides without a prosthetic.

I remember seeing someone about 60 years ago, apparently cycling with only one working pedal, so it is certainly possible. Can't be much fun falling off though.

N/A - Amputation - Cris_on_the_gas

First of all he needs to inform the DVLA of his amputation. This is dealt with by a specialist medical section of the DVLA. I have been dealing with them since I became disabled in 1983. On occasions they are difficult to deal with and are very slow in responding, but remember they apply the rules and must issue the licence before you can drive again.

Most likely he will get his full manual licence retained but will have a licence code applied to it. www.gov.uk/driving-licence-codes Most likely for a left leg amputation a code 35 - Modified control layout.

No reason why he cannot ride a motorcycle or bicycle with one leg. I do despite losing my right leg above the knee in 1983. DVLA still issue me with full manual licence but with a code 32 for cars and code 44(3) applied for Motorcycles.

There are a few places to get modifications done. I would endorse kliktronic mentioned above. Noticed recently a few new bikes coming with quickshifters which I suppose overcomes a left foot disability.

N/A - Amputation - galileo

He'll certainly be able to ride his bike, no problem. I've chatted at length to a man who had his right leg amputated mid-thigh many years ago, and rides without a prosthetic.

I remember seeing someone about 60 years ago, apparently cycling with only one working pedal, so it is certainly possible. Can't be much fun falling off though.

Douglas Bader flew Spitfires with two 1940s technology artificial legs in WW2, don't know if DVLA or whatever its equivalent was marked his driving licence 'automatic only'.

N/A - Amputation - Cris_on_the_gas

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Douglas Bader flew Spitfires with two 1940s technology artificial legs in WW2, don't know if DVLA or whatever its equivalent was marked his driving licence 'automatic only'.

Maybe so but he had a devils own job trying to convince the authorities at the time that he had just lost his legs but not his ability to fly aircraft. Through his and other's efforts we have an Equality act passed. Still not perfect but a big improvement

What a great man he was, his foundation has given hundreds of disabled people the opportunity to learn to fly and continues to do so.

N/A - Amputation - RaineMan

Thank you for all the responses. They have made him feel much more positive after what was an unexpected and traumatic experience.