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Learning to drive

Can you learn to drive if you have SEND?

 

It may or may not be possible for you to learn to drive as this all depends on how your disability affects you.

There are currently two parts to the UK driving test:

  • Theory Test – multiple choice questions and hazard perception videos
  • Practical Test – driving skills and safety test

It is mandatory to pass both parts of the test and the theory test must be passed before taking the practical test.  Both tests can be taken as many times as required and reasonable adjustments can be made to how the test is taken but not the standard needed to pass the test. 

For the theory test some of the options are:

  • Practicing online or with apps and interactive games
  • For reading difficulties consider audio books to learn the material needed for passing the theory test

When starting driving lessons consider the following options:

  • Choosing an instructor with specialist experience and who you feel comfortable with
  • Discussing with the instructor any techniques that have helped you learn in the past
  • If communication and/or anxiety is anticipated to be a problem initially, consider asking the instructor if someone supportive can sit in on the first few lessons
  • Trying an automatic transmission car as well as manual transmission
  • Being prepared to take more and/or longer lessons if needed

First off, you should apply for your provisional driving licence. The earliest you can submit an application is three months prior to your sixteenth birthday unless you get, or have applied for the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), then you can learn to drive a car when you’re 16. 

Read more about applying for your provisional licence. 

You can get the form needed to do this (the D1 form) from any large Post Office, or you can download it online from the government’s website.

Once you have sent this off, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will sometimes send back to you a ‘medical-in-confidence’ form which will ask for further information about your disability. The DVLA might also ask for your permission to contact your doctor, but this is totally normal! 

After this, they will review your application and will usually issue your provisional license. In some circumstances, the DVLA might ask you to see its own specialist or another doctor close to you to make sure your licence is suitable.

First off, you should apply for your provisional driving licence. The earliest you can submit an application is three months prior to your sixteenth birthday unless you get, or have applied for the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), then you can learn to drive a car when you’re 16. 

Read more about applying for your provisional licence. 

You can get the form needed to do this (the D1 form) from any large Post Office, or you can download it online from the government’s website.

Once you have sent this off, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will sometimes send back to you a ‘medical-in-confidence’ form which will ask for further information about your disability. The DVLA might also ask for your permission to contact your doctor, but this is totally normal! 

After this, they will review your application and will usually issue your provisional license. In some circumstances, the DVLA might ask you to see its own specialist or another doctor close to you to make sure your licence is suitable.

Mobility Centres have teams of occupational therapists and driving instructors with specialist knowledge to help with physical or cognitive challenges with learning to drive. Assessments are tailored to individual need but typically includes visual screening and cognitive assessments before progressing to an in-car assessment.  Some centres also offer assistance with the theory and hazard perception test. A local centre will be able to provide more advice and information.

Mobility Centres have teams of occupational therapists and driving instructors with specialist knowledge to help with physical or cognitive challenges with learning to drive. Assessments are tailored to individual need but typically includes visual screening and cognitive assessments before progressing to an in-car assessment.  Some centres also offer assistance with the theory and hazard perception test. A local centre will be able to provide more advice and information.

You do not have to disclose your diagnosis to the DVLA if it doesn’t affect your ability to drive safely.  

If it does affect your ability to drive safely, and you do not disclose it when you apply for your provisional licence, you could be fined up to £1000 and be prosecuted if you are involved in an accident. 

The guidelines say that safe driving involves, among other things: vision, visuospatial perception, hearing, attention and concentration, memory, insight and understanding, judgement, adaptive strategies, good reaction time, planning and organisation, ability to self-monitor, sensation, muscle power and control, coordination. 

It may be worth telling your GP that you are thinking of learning to drive and discussing the guidelines with them. 

Find out about the process of disclosing and the decision to grant a licence. 

The Disability Law service has information on what to do if your licence is refused or revoked. 
 
A car insurance company should be notified of a disability. Under the Equality Act 2010 insurers can only charge disabled people higher premiums if the extra charge is based on factual or statistical data, or there are other factors which mean that a disabled person is a higher risk.

You do not have to disclose your diagnosis to the DVLA if it doesn’t affect your ability to drive safely.  

If it does affect your ability to drive safely, and you do not disclose it when you apply for your provisional licence, you could be fined up to £1000 and be prosecuted if you are involved in an accident. 

The guidelines say that safe driving involves, among other things: vision, visuospatial perception, hearing, attention and concentration, memory, insight and understanding, judgement, adaptive strategies, good reaction time, planning and organisation, ability to self-monitor, sensation, muscle power and control, coordination. 

It may be worth telling your GP that you are thinking of learning to drive and discussing the guidelines with them. 

Find out about the process of disclosing and the decision to grant a licence. 

The Disability Law service has information on what to do if your licence is refused or revoked. 
 
A car insurance company should be notified of a disability. Under the Equality Act 2010 insurers can only charge disabled people higher premiums if the extra charge is based on factual or statistical data, or there are other factors which mean that a disabled person is a higher risk.

When you book your driving test you should say if you have a:

  • disability
  • health condition
  • learning difficulty

You’ll still have to drive to the same standard to pass, but the examiner can make adjustments for your situation.

You’ll have time with the examiner once you start the test to talk about:

  • your disability
  • any adaptations fitted to your car

They might also agree for you to have more time for instructions and directions during your test.

When you book your driving test you should say if you have a:

  • disability
  • health condition
  • learning difficulty

You’ll still have to drive to the same standard to pass, but the examiner can make adjustments for your situation.

You’ll have time with the examiner once you start the test to talk about:

  • your disability
  • any adaptations fitted to your car

They might also agree for you to have more time for instructions and directions during your test.

The examiner will make adjustments for the independent driving part of the test if you have learning difficulties.

For example:

  • They might ask if you’d prefer to follow traffic signs instead of directions from a sat nav.
  • Give you more time to take the test.
  • Giving you a visual diagram of the route to be followed prior to the test.
  • Giving you limited, short verbal instructions.
  • When you do the eyesight check at the start of the driving test, you can write down the number plate instead of reading it out loud if this is easier for you.

The examiner will make adjustments for the independent driving part of the test if you have learning difficulties.

For example:

  • They might ask if you’d prefer to follow traffic signs instead of directions from a sat nav.
  • Give you more time to take the test.
  • Giving you a visual diagram of the route to be followed prior to the test.
  • Giving you limited, short verbal instructions.
  • When you do the eyesight check at the start of the driving test, you can write down the number plate instead of reading it out loud if this is easier for you.

While your local area may be full of instructors, if you’re learning to drive with a disability, you may find it beneficial to seek out the extra knowledge that a specialist tutor brings to the table. Specialist driving instructors often have adapted cars to help people with a disability and can also help you with the theory and hazard perception tests.

Search for a local specialist driving instructor

Most students need around 40 hours of driving tuition to be able to pass their test, so you will spend a lot of time with your tutor — this is why it is important to pick an instructor you feel you will get along with!

While your local area may be full of instructors, if you’re learning to drive with a disability, you may find it beneficial to seek out the extra knowledge that a specialist tutor brings to the table. Specialist driving instructors often have adapted cars to help people with a disability and can also help you with the theory and hazard perception tests.

Search for a local specialist driving instructor

Most students need around 40 hours of driving tuition to be able to pass their test, so you will spend a lot of time with your tutor — this is why it is important to pick an instructor you feel you will get along with!

When you start thinking about learning to drive you may want to: 

  • observe traffic when you’re a passenger or watch videos that may help you to become more aware of the rules of the road and driving 
  • take information about your needs to discuss with your driving instructor before your first lesson.

Some strategies your driving instructor could try include: 

  • writing things down or making a recording when explaining something to you 
  • giving frequent breaks during your lesson 
  • breaking down information into smaller parts for you 
  • using physical clues to help you with estimating speed and distance 

Take your time over learning to drive and try to practise as often as you can. 

When you start thinking about learning to drive you may want to: 

  • observe traffic when you’re a passenger or watch videos that may help you to become more aware of the rules of the road and driving 
  • take information about your needs to discuss with your driving instructor before your first lesson.

Some strategies your driving instructor could try include: 

  • writing things down or making a recording when explaining something to you 
  • giving frequent breaks during your lesson 
  • breaking down information into smaller parts for you 
  • using physical clues to help you with estimating speed and distance 

Take your time over learning to drive and try to practise as often as you can. 

The Blue Badge scheme gives people who have disabilities various concessions and privileges relating to parking. These include being able to park in disabled bays and on some single and double yellow lines, and fewer restrictions on parking time limits. Badge holders are also exempt from paying the London congestion charge. 

The scheme operates UK wide with the exception of a few London boroughs, who only partially recognise the scheme. 
 
The Blue Badge Scheme also operates across Europe and allows you to make use of the same concessions allowed for the residents of the country you are in. If you are planning to drive in another country, check the parking concessions for that country. 

  • Who issues Blue Badges? 

Though it is a national scheme, Blue Badges are actually issued by local authorities (councils). It is your local authority who decides on entitlement to the badges. 
 
You can apply for a Blue Badge by completing an application form.

  • Who is eligible for a Blue Badge in England? 

There are two important ways that you may qualify for a Blue Badge: 

  • if you can’t undertake a journey without being at risk of serious harm, it causing “very considerable psychological distress”, or if you have very considerable difficulty when walking; or 
  • if you have scored exactly 10 points for PIP Mobility Component for “planning and making a journey” specifically because making a journey causes ‘overwhelming psychological distress’.  

The Blue Badge scheme gives people who have disabilities various concessions and privileges relating to parking. These include being able to park in disabled bays and on some single and double yellow lines, and fewer restrictions on parking time limits. Badge holders are also exempt from paying the London congestion charge. 

The scheme operates UK wide with the exception of a few London boroughs, who only partially recognise the scheme. 
 
The Blue Badge Scheme also operates across Europe and allows you to make use of the same concessions allowed for the residents of the country you are in. If you are planning to drive in another country, check the parking concessions for that country. 

  • Who issues Blue Badges? 

Though it is a national scheme, Blue Badges are actually issued by local authorities (councils). It is your local authority who decides on entitlement to the badges. 
 
You can apply for a Blue Badge by completing an application form.

  • Who is eligible for a Blue Badge in England? 

There are two important ways that you may qualify for a Blue Badge: 

  • if you can’t undertake a journey without being at risk of serious harm, it causing “very considerable psychological distress”, or if you have very considerable difficulty when walking; or 
  • if you have scored exactly 10 points for PIP Mobility Component for “planning and making a journey” specifically because making a journey causes ‘overwhelming psychological distress’.  

If you receive the enhanced mobility element of PIP or high rate mobility element of DLA, you could apply to the Motability Scheme. If you are eligible for the Mobility Scheme some grant funding may be available from Motability, the charity, to help you learn to drive. You can find out more about Motability grants here.

You can apply for this grant if you:

  • have a Motability Scheme vehicle or one arriving in the next four months
  • hold a provisional UK driving licence
  • have passed your theory test
  • receive a means tested benefit

Am I eligible for the Mobility Scheme?

Find out if you’re eligible to join the Scheme

In addition to this you can get free road tax if you receive the enhanced mobility element of PIP. 

If you receive the enhanced mobility element of PIP or high rate mobility element of DLA, you could apply to the Motability Scheme. If you are eligible for the Mobility Scheme some grant funding may be available from Motability, the charity, to help you learn to drive. You can find out more about Motability grants here.

You can apply for this grant if you:

  • have a Motability Scheme vehicle or one arriving in the next four months
  • hold a provisional UK driving licence
  • have passed your theory test
  • receive a means tested benefit

Am I eligible for the Mobility Scheme?

Find out if you’re eligible to join the Scheme

In addition to this you can get free road tax if you receive the enhanced mobility element of PIP. 

Did you know that the you don’t have to drive in order to lease a car through the Motability Scheme? Your car could be driven by a family member, friend or carer. 

There are also things in place to help people with a disability who have to use public transport.

Trains

  • A Disabled Person’s Railcard can provide up to 1/3 off fares, with eligibility requiring proof of a qualifying disability.
  • You can notify National Rail companies in advance if you’ll need assistance at the station or on the train.

Buses

Apply for a Disabled Person’s Buss Pass

Apply for a bus pass – easy read version

The disabled person’s bus pass entitles you to:

  • free travel between 9:30am to 11pm Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and on public holidays on bus services throughout England. London buses displaying a roundel will accept a disabled person’s pass at any time. Show your pass to the driver as passes don’t currently read on the card readers.

Information about bus passes – easy read version

Help getting on and off a bus

The law says bus and coach drivers must give reasonable assistance to disabled people, for example by helping them get on and off the bus or coach. This does not mean physically lifting passengers or heavy mobility equipment.

If you need help to get on and off a coach, you should ask for this when you book your ticket.

Taxis & Minicabs

Taxis must be accessible for disabled people. Taxi and Minicab drivers must help wheelchair users, provide assistance to disabled people, not charge extra for their help.

Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs

Did you know that the you don’t have to drive in order to lease a car through the Motability Scheme? Your car could be driven by a family member, friend or carer. 

There are also things in place to help people with a disability who have to use public transport.

Trains

  • A Disabled Person’s Railcard can provide up to 1/3 off fares, with eligibility requiring proof of a qualifying disability.
  • You can notify National Rail companies in advance if you’ll need assistance at the station or on the train.

Buses

Apply for a Disabled Person’s Buss Pass

Apply for a bus pass – easy read version

The disabled person’s bus pass entitles you to:

  • free travel between 9:30am to 11pm Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and on public holidays on bus services throughout England. London buses displaying a roundel will accept a disabled person’s pass at any time. Show your pass to the driver as passes don’t currently read on the card readers.

Information about bus passes – easy read version

Help getting on and off a bus

The law says bus and coach drivers must give reasonable assistance to disabled people, for example by helping them get on and off the bus or coach. This does not mean physically lifting passengers or heavy mobility equipment.

If you need help to get on and off a coach, you should ask for this when you book your ticket.

Taxis & Minicabs

Taxis must be accessible for disabled people. Taxi and Minicab drivers must help wheelchair users, provide assistance to disabled people, not charge extra for their help.

Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs

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  7. Learning to drive