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Peddle Master Portable Hand Controls: Cost, Use and Safety

Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 5 Jan 2012 - Updated: 10 Oct 2026
Publication Type: Informative

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This product report looks at the Peddle Master, a portable set of car hand controls invented by Rick Judson, a driver with a disability, that clamps onto the accelerator and brake pedals of an automatic vehicle without tools and can be moved from one car to another. It explains how the two-lever design is used, how it compares with permanently installed hand controls, and why the manufacturer's university and SAE testing claims should be backed by documentation before purchase. Drawing on guidance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and other original government and standards sources, it also covers evaluation by a driver rehabilitation specialist, on-road training and licensing - practical information for drivers with lower limb disabilities, seniors with reduced leg strength or mobility, veterans, and caregivers who need a way to drive rental, borrowed or second vehicles.

At a Glance

Topic Definition

Portable Hand Controls

Portable hand controls are removable adaptive driving devices that allow a person to operate a vehicle's accelerator and brake pedals by hand instead of by foot. Unlike permanently installed hand controls, which a mobility equipment dealer fixes to the vehicle, portable versions attach directly to the pedals with clamps or similar fittings and can be fitted and removed by the driver without tools. They are used mainly in vehicles with automatic transmissions by people with lower limb disabilities, paralysis, amputation or reduced leg strength, and are valued for travel, rental cars and households with more than one vehicle. As with any adaptive driving equipment, safe use depends on a proper fit to the vehicle, an assessment of the driver's abilities, and on-road training.

Overview

Anyone with a physical disability who has priced hand controls for a car knows how quickly the cost adds up. Rick Judson, an inventor who drives with hand controls himself, knew it firsthand. Working with a friend, he came up with the Peddle Master - a portable set of hand controls that clamps onto the pedals, needs no tools, and travels with the driver from one vehicle to the next.

The need is not small. An estimated 18.6 million Americans age 5 and older reported a travel-limiting disability in 2022, about 6.1 percent of that age group [Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2026]. For drivers who cannot use foot pedals, adaptive equipment can decide whether they drive themselves or rely on someone else.

What Vehicle Hand Controls Do

Hand controls are adaptive driving devices that let a driver operate the accelerator and brake by hand instead of by foot. They either reduce the physical effort needed to control a vehicle or change the way the driver's input reaches the vehicle's controls. For many people with lower limb disabilities, they make driving possible.

Most hand controls are installed permanently by a mobility equipment dealer. Common designs include push/pull, push/rock, push/right angle and push/rotate systems, each using a different hand motion to brake and accelerate [National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association Canada, n.d.]. A portable device such as the Peddle Master takes a different approach: nothing is bolted to the vehicle, and the controls come out when the trip is over.

How the Peddle Master Came About

Judson described his aim this way:

"I wanted to create something that I could safely use anywhere, in any car with an automatic transmission. A device that wouldn't limit my freedom or independence, and most of all, wouldn't cost me thousands of dollars to install."

He built the first Peddle Master for himself in 1991. Other drivers saw it and wanted one, and in 1993 he formed a corporation to manufacture the product in the United States. By 2012, when this article was first written, the company reported having sold more than 3,000 units worldwide through distributors and its own website.

How Peddle Master Hand Controls Work

The Peddle Master is made up of two separate levers - one for the accelerator and one for the brake. Each lever has spring-loaded jaws that clamp around its pedal, and the driver can fit both while sitting in the driver's seat, without tools [National AgrAbility Project, 2024]. The company says fitting takes a few seconds, and the levers lift off just as quickly.

Unlike the installed hand controls many drivers are used to, the levers do not attach to the steering column. They rest in the driver's lap. Telling them apart is simple: one handle is vertical, like the accelerator pedal, and the other is horizontal, like the brake pedal.

Driving with two levers sounds awkward at first, but the principle is the same as driving with your feet. One hand moves between the accelerator lever and the brake lever, much as a foot moves between the pedals, while the other hand steers.

According to Judson, the Peddle Master is 26 1/2 inches long and sits about level with the steering wheel. Rather than adjusting the levers, drivers move the seat forward or back to suit, as they would when driving with their feet.

The device works only in vehicles with an automatic transmission. The company has said it fits any such car or truck, while a product listing from the Job Accommodation Network puts the figure at more than 90 percent of vehicles [Job Accommodation Network, n.d.]. Pedal shapes and footwell space vary, so it is sensible to confirm the fit in a particular vehicle before relying on it.

Testing Claims and Safety Standards

The company has stated that the Peddle Master was evaluated by Louisiana Tech University, tested for durability by the University of Virginia Auto Safety Laboratory, and tested to Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standards. No published reports of those evaluations could be located for this update, so they are best read as manufacturer statements. A seller should be able to supply the test documentation on request.

The relevant SAE document is J1903, Mechanical and Hybrid Automotive Adaptive Driver Controls, a recommended practice first issued in July 1989 and most recently revised in August 2024. It sets uniform procedures for the manufactured quality, installed utility and service performance of manual adaptive driving controls that are operated by the driver and fitted inside the occupant space [SAE International, 2024].

Because a clamp-on device is refitted for every trip, its security depends on how well it is attached each time. Checking that both clamps are tight and both levers move freely before pulling away is a basic precaution.

Cost Compared With Installed Hand Controls

The first set of hand controls I used had a handle, rods and bolts. They were professionally installed and fixed to the car, cost almost $1,100, and came with a one-year warranty. If the car broke down I was out of luck, because the controls stayed with the car.

When this article was first published in 2012, the Peddle Master sold for $365 with a three-year warranty and came in Ruby Red, Black Onyx and Sapphire Blue. A more recent assistive technology listing, last updated in November 2024, gives a cost of $295 [National AgrAbility Project, 2024]. Prices change, so confirm the current figure with a seller.

For comparison, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes that hand controls can be purchased for under $1,000, and it lists several possible sources of help with the cost of adaptive equipment [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, n.d.]:

NHTSA also advises getting a written statement of what a funding agency will pay before making a purchase. Whether a given program covers a portable device rather than an installed one is a question to ask the agency directly.

Using Portable Hand Controls in Rental Cars

Portability is the main attraction for travelers. According to the company, the Peddle Master packs into a suitcase or carry-on bag, which opens up the possibility of renting an ordinary automatic car at a destination, test driving a vehicle at a dealership, or borrowing a friend's car.

Drivers are not limited to bringing their own equipment. Under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a car rental company must install vehicle hand controls if it is readily achievable to do so [U.S. Department of Justice, 1994]. Fitting takes time, so request them when booking instead of at the counter.

Air bags are worth a question as well. In March 2022, NHTSA finalized a rule that lets rental car companies temporarily disable a driver's knee bolster air bag in order to install hand controls, because a knee bolster air bag that deploys in a crash could interfere with the safe use of the controls [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2022]. That rule addresses controls fitted by rental companies, but anyone planning to use a portable set in an unfamiliar car may want to raise the point with the rental company or a driver rehabilitation specialist first, and to check the company's policy on customer-supplied equipment.

Evaluation, Training and Licensing

Buying hand controls is only part of driving safely with them. NHTSA recommends an evaluation by a driver rehabilitation specialist, who can identify the adaptive equipment best suited to a driver's needs. An evaluation typically covers vision, muscle strength, range of motion, coordination and reaction time, and the ability to drive with the equipment. Specialists can be found through rehabilitation centers and through the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists and the American Occupational Therapy Association [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, n.d.].

Training matters just as much. NHTSA states that both new and experienced drivers need on-the-road training with newly fitted equipment, and that off-road instruction and written materials are not enough. All states require a valid learner's permit or driver's license for an on-road evaluation, and a license may be issued with restrictions tied to the adaptive equipment a driver needs [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, n.d.]. A local licensing office or a driver rehabilitation specialist can explain how those rules apply to portable controls.

Availability and What to Check Before Buying

The Peddle Master first went on sale more than three decades ago, but buyers should confirm that it can still be bought new. At the time of this update in October 2026, the manufacturer's website was no longer online, although the product still appeared in assistive technology databases and third-party listings. Before ordering, it is worth asking a seller:

For drivers who can use it safely, a portable set of hand controls offers something installed equipment cannot - the freedom to drive more than one vehicle. That flexibility, at a lower price than the installed controls I started with, is what Rick Judson set out to achieve. Whether it is the right choice for an individual driver is best decided with a driver rehabilitation specialist.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a fully adapted vehicle cost?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a new vehicle modified with adaptive equipment can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $80,000. The total depends on the vehicle and on the type and amount of equipment a driver needs.

Are adaptive driving equipment costs tax deductible?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that the cost of adaptive equipment may be tax deductible. Rules depend on individual circumstances, so it is best to confirm with a qualified tax professional before counting on a deduction.

Who pays for a driving evaluation?

Federal guidance says health insurance, state vocational rehabilitation agencies and workers' compensation may pay for a driver evaluation. Coverage varies, so ask the insurer or agency what it will fund before booking the appointment.

How soon after an injury or stroke can a driving evaluation be done?

There is no fixed waiting period, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cautions that being evaluated too soon after an injury, stroke or other trauma may be misleading. A doctor or driver rehabilitation specialist can advise when abilities have stabilized enough for a meaningful assessment.

What should I bring to a driving evaluation?

Bring any equipment you normally use, such as a walker or neck brace, so the specialist can see how you get in, sit and drive with it.

Which installed hand controls suit drivers with limited finger dexterity?

According to the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association in Canada, push/rock controls can be operated by people with no finger dexterity and push/right angle controls suit limited finger dexterity. Push/rotate controls require full or limited finger function.

Who qualifies for VA adaptive equipment grants?

The Department of Veterans Affairs lists qualifying service-connected disabilities that include loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet or hands, certain permanent vision loss in both eyes, a severe burn injury, and ALS. Veterans with ankylosis in one or both knees or hips may qualify for an adaptive equipment grant only.

Does adaptive driving equipment need extra maintenance?

It can. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says adaptive equipment may need more frequent inspection than the vehicle itself, and recommends submitting all warranty cards so the owner receives any recall notices.

References:

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Portable hand controls fill a real gap, and the scale of the need is clear - some 18.6 million Americans age 5 and older reported a travel-limiting disability in 2022. The Peddle Master has answered part of that need since the early 1990s at a price below what the author paid for an installed set: $365 in 2012, and $295 in a listing updated in late 2024. Still, a low price and a clever design do not replace due diligence. The maker's website was offline when this page was updated in October 2026, so buyers should confirm the product is still supplied and supported, and remember that car rental companies have their own obligation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to fit hand controls where readily achievable. The right equipment is the one a driver has been assessed for and trained to use.

Ian C. Langtree Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability, a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his .

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