Tesla Service UK / Guides / Accessibility
Accessibility guide
Practical guidance on entry, door handles, and control reach for owners and passengers with accessibility needs.
Last fact-checked: . General guidance — always check your own model's specifics and current official sources before relying on it for a decision.
Entry & seating
Entry height and seating considerations
Entry height and seat position vary meaningfully across Tesla's range — lower saloon-style models sit closer to the ground and require more of a 'drop down' motion into the seat, while taller SUV-style models offer a higher seating position that many find easier to get in and out of. If accessibility is a significant factor in your choice, it's genuinely worth test-sitting in more than one model rather than assuming based on general size.
Door handles
Door handle operation for those who find retractable handles difficult
Tesla's flush, retracting door handles are a distinctive design feature, but operating them (a specific press or pull motion depending on the model) can be less intuitive or more physically demanding for some users than a conventional handle. Familiarise yourself and any regular passengers with the exact motion for your specific model before relying on it in an unfamiliar or urgent situation, and note that the interior door release (for exiting) is typically a simple, separate mechanism.
Controls & screen reach
Touchscreen and control reach
Since most functions are controlled through the central touchscreen rather than physical buttons, screen position and reach matters more than in many other cars. Voice commands (see our voice commands cheat sheet) can meaningfully reduce the need to physically reach and interact with the screen for common tasks, which is worth setting up and practising if physical reach is a limiting factor.