Getting in and out of a car safely: car handles, swivel cushions and leg lifters (2026)

Use the sit-first technique

Health services such as Alberta Health Services and the UK's Royal College of Occupational Therapists recommend getting in bottom first. Open the door wide, turn so your back is to the seat, hold something stable, and sit down sideways while both feet are still on the ground. Then slide back and swing one leg in, then the other, turning to face forward. To get out, reverse it: swing your legs out, turn to face the door with both feet on the ground, shuffle forward, lean forward so your nose is over your toes, and push up. Watch your head on the door frame.

Official sources: Getting in and out of a car safely (Alberta Health Services MyHealth) · Mobility and car advice (Royal College of Occupational Therapists)

Set up the car first

Push the seat all the way back to give your legs room, and recline the backrest a little if you have hip precautions, so your hips don't bend past the angle your surgical team allows. Park on level ground with room to open the door fully. A kerb next to the car lowers the step into a tall SUV or van, but makes a low car even lower, so park away from it with a low car. Avoid gripping the door itself: it can swing. The door frame, the seat or a handle made for the job is steadier. The roof grab handle above the door is fine for balance but isn't designed to take your full weight.

A handle to push on: door latch handles

A portable car handle like the Stander HandyBar slots into the U-shaped door latch striker on the car's door frame and gives you a firm grip at seat height to push up from or lower yourself onto. The maker lists a 350 lb weight capacity, 1 lb weight and a 9-inch length, plus a seat belt cutter and window breaker for emergencies. Check your car has a U-shaped striker held by two bolts or screws before buying, and take the handle out before you close the door.

• Stander HandyBar car door support handle – approx. US$26–35

A handle to pull on: window-frame straps

A strap handle such as the Stander CarCaddie buckles around the top of the window frame, so you have a grip at head height to pull on. The strap adjusts from 7 to 16 inches and the maker lists a 250 lb capacity. It suits people with good arm strength and needs a framed window. Some people use a strap to pull and a latch handle to push at the same time.

• Stander CarCaddie window-frame car handle – approx. US$14–17

Turn without twisting: swivel cushions

A swivel cushion turns under you, so once you've sat down sideways you can rotate to face forward without twisting your hips or back. Vive's gel swivel cushion is about 15.3 in across and 1.7 in thick, rotates 360 degrees and lists a 300 lb maximum. Swivel cushions need a fairly flat seat and raise you a little, which helps you stand but cuts head room. A plastic bag or slide sheet on a fabric seat is a free way to try the idea first, but take it away before the car moves so you don't slide.

• Vive gel swivel seat cushion – approx. US$44

Lift your legs in: a leg lifter strap

If you can't lift your leg over the door sill, a leg lifter strap lets your arms do the work: hook the foot loop under your foot and pull the leg in. It's the same strap many people use to lift their legs into bed, so one aid covers both.

• Vive leg lifter strap – approx. US$10–15

Related guides: Getting in and out of bed safely · Hip replacement kit

If you use a wheelchair or can't stand

If you can't stand and pivot, a transfer board bridges the gap between a wheelchair and the car seat so you can slide across, usually with a helper at first. Fold-flat transport chairs are lighter to lift into a trunk than standard wheelchairs. For bigger needs there are factory or aftermarket swivel seats that turn and lower out of the door, roof-top wheelchair hoists, and wheelchair-accessible vans. These are expensive, so try before you buy and get an OT or driving-rehab assessment first.

• Medline Ultralight transport wheelchair – approx. US$135–205

Related guide: Rollator vs walker

Cost and funding

Car handles are inexpensive: Stander lists the HandyBar at about US$35 and the CarCaddie at about US$17, and swivel cushions run about US$30 to US$45. Don't expect Original Medicare or Ontario's Assistive Devices Program to pay for car handles or cushions. Vehicle conversions are a different story: in Canada, the March of Dimes Canada Home and Vehicle Modification Program and some provincial and veterans' programs can help with vehicle changes, and the CRA medical expense tax credit can cover part of the cost of modifying a vehicle for a person with a mobility impairment.

Related guide: Home accessibility funding in Ontario and Canada

When to ask for help

Ask an occupational therapist or physiotherapist to practise a car transfer with you before a hospital discharge, after a hip or knee replacement, if you've fallen getting out of a car, or if a family member is lifting you. They can match the technique and aids to your body and your car, and tell you when it's safe to drive again.

Safety notes

• Suction grab bars are a balance aid only. They can release without warning and must never hold your body weight or be used to stop a fall.
• Anchor wall grab bars into studs or approved blocking, never drywall alone, and follow the manufacturer's instructions or use a qualified installer.
• Check the weight capacity and fit of any seat, rail or pole, and follow the manufacturer's instructions.