Before you select a vehicle, a CDRS can help you take some things into consideration when making your vehicle selection. General Motors recommends older drivers and their families think about:
- The kind of driving your loved one does — highway, city, long trips, short trips, etc.
- The amount of space needed by your aftermarket mobility equipment.
- Any additional cargo your loved one may carry.
- The needs of family members and friends.
The costs associated with modifying a vehicle vary. New vehicles modified with adaptive equipment can cost as much as $80,000 or more. But both Swaim and Langhauser say that many automobile dealerships offer a rebate—sometimes as much as $1,800—on the purchase of a new vehicle with certain auto mobility products installed.
Other sources of funding include private insurance companies, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or nonprofit associations that advocate for individuals with disabilities, such as Lions, Elks or Rotary clubs. The cost of adaptive equipment may also qualify for a medical deduction on the federal income tax return.