Hi everyone,

I have been living in Geneva for few years and just started to get a car but i have faced a challenge and wanted to post here with the hope of getting some advices and guidance.

I am disabled (walking on prosthesis with only crutch), lost my legs (one below knee and above knee) 18 years ago. I have a full time work in Geneva. A year ago I decided to get my own car and drive, my driving licence was not accepted by the Office d'Auto for some complicated reasons so I was told to start from the beginning and I did so, like everyone else i had to take all the courses required plus having checked by a doctor (who was a neurologist and himself didn't understand why i was referred to him while i had only physical disability -but still he gave his advice which was that i'm able to drive ‘automatic’ car) then i passed the theory exam and i was given an 'L' permit without any instructions - so I did what others would do, bought a car (an automatic car as required) and started to drive (for two months) always with someone who has driving licence - in order to make sure that i know all details of the rules here i also practiced with paid 'monitor'. Last Friday, I had the appointment for practical exam with Office d’Auto, I was ready for the exam but suddenly everything got changed. The person (monitor guy) who was supposed to take the exam, he asked me if my car was 'adapted' which is not adapted and he told me that i had to wait as he needed to check with his colleagues after about half an hour he came back and told me that i have to cancel the exam and first adapt my car (change everything to hand system) then i should come back for the exam. I tried to explain to him that i have been driving for over five years before coming to Switzerland automatic cars, and i had never had an accident. I asked why they didn't make it clear for me from the first day... but they said nothing than just repeating that i must adapt my car or otherwise i am not allowed to drive at all.

Not only because i have paid for my car and all the steps to get licence in total over 10,000chf and spent a lot of time over the course of the past one year but i really need to drive both for family and work reasons. So I talked to a couple of Garages about adaptation/modification of my car. They gave me very expensive price of 6,000 to 9,000chf to adapt my car which is more than the price I paid for my car. I can't afford it at all! On the other hand even if I was able to afford paying for adaptation/modification of my car, once it’s adapted then it means my wife can't drive it (we have only one and this automatic car) and I won't be able to drive any other normal cars! So all and all this is very expensive, difficult, disappointing for me and limiting my ability of driving normal car! I have to say, that they made me feel very 'disabled' now! I am ready to prove that i CAN drive normal car. They should not look at my disability but my ability and allow me to live equal like others.

So, if anyone has advice in how can I change their decision about my case so that I am allowed to drive automatic car,  i would be grateful. Please share any tips that may be of help!

Thanks a lot!