Man born without arms obtains driving licence

Obtaining a driving licence may seem like an ordinary thing for many people but for 18-year old Jakub Tomeš from the town of Česká Třebová it was a lifelong dream not very likely to ever come true. That’s because Jakub was born without arms and uses his feet to perform everyday tasks. Despite his disability, Jakub has now earned a driving licence along with much praise from his instructor.

Eighteen-year old student Jakub Tomeš has become the first Czech officially allowed to drive a car using only his feet. His new driving licence will bring him much-needed mobility and independence as he has enrolled in college in another town and will need to commute as of September.

“I intend to drive slowly. All I want is to get safely where I want to go and not be a threat to other drivers. I had always wanted to drive a car and have a driving licence. So this is a dream come true for me.”

Jakub took his lessons and passed his driving test in the town of Přelouč, quite a way away from his hometown of Česká Třebová. The Přelouč driving school specialises in teaching people with disabilities. Its owner Pavel Peml says it took a while to work out all the necessary adjustments that had to be made to Jakub’s car:

“He uses his left foot to control the steering wheel which is fitted with a special knob. With his right foot he presses a handle underneath the steering wheel that controls the gas pedal and the brake. And of course, the car has automatic transmission.”

Would-be drivers in the Přelouč driving school first learn on drive simulators that can be adjusted to the specific needs of the learner. The school can also order tailor-made cars for wheelchair users as well as people with limited use of hands or arms. According to its instructors, people with disabilities make responsible drivers – which they say holds true for Jakub Tomeš as well. With a brand new driving licence firmly in his pocket, he is now hoping to buy a car and have it adjusted so he could start commuting to school as early as this autumn.