Driving – a guide for autistic adults in Northern Ireland
Some autistic people may find the skill of driving extremely difficult, while others will be highly competent. Being autistic should not in itself be a barrier to holding a licence.
In this guide, you'll find information about driving licences, driving tests, fitness rules and the Blue Badge scheme. We also have advice about financial help that may be available to you.
Driving licences
- Provisional licence
You can apply for a provisional driving licence when you’re 15 years and 9 months old. You can start driving a car when you’re 17.
However, if 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.
- Full licence
You can apply for your full licence once you have passed your driving test. Read more about applying for your full licence.
Learning to drive
There are several steps involved in learning to drive. When starting to take lessons you may want to:
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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
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take information about autism to discuss with your driving instructor before your first lesson, particularly if you have any sensory differences that can impact on your ability to learn e.g. problems with the glare from the sun or headlights
Your driving instructor may find it helpful to watch this video about autistic people learning to drive. Some strategies your driving instructor could try include:
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writing things down when explaining something to you
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giving frequent breaks during your lesson
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breaking down information into smaller parts for you
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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.
Driving tests
- Theory test
When you book a theory test, you should say if you have a reading difficulty, disability or health condition. There are reasonable adjustments that can be made to the test to help.
The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) provides a number of facilities for people with special requirements. You should tell DVA about your requirements when you book your theory test to allow for reasonable adjustments to be made. Find out more here.
- Practical test
The driving test is a standard test for everyone. Everyone who takes the driving test is required to display the same level of ability and competency in order to pass. However, some autistic drivers may be allowed extra time for their test. You should speak to your driving instructor to find out what adjustments may be available.
The Driver and Vehicle Agency is responsible for testing drivers in Northern Ireland. You can find out more and book your practical test on the government's website.
Fitness to drive rules
You do not have to disclose your autism diagnosis to the DVA if it doesn’t affect your ability to drive safely.
If being autistic 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.
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.
Financial help with the cost of driving
If you receive the higher rate mobility component Personal Independence Payment (PIP), you are eligible to join the Motability scheme. This will mean that the higher rate mobility component of your PIP will be paid directly to Motability and you can lease or purchase a vehicle through the scheme in return.
You can get free road tax if you receive the enhanced mobility element of PIP.
A car insurance company should be notified of a disability. Under Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in Northern Ireland, 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.
What to do if you have an accident
If you have an accident, it is worth having written instructions in your car so that you can see what you need to do. When you are learning to drive it is also worth talking to your driving instructor about what is classed as an accident and when following actions would be appropriate.
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Stop at the scene of the accident and switch off your car's engine. Put on your hazard lights. Be careful when leaving your car, being aware of other traffic.
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Try to stay calm. Maybe take some slow, deep breaths or use whatever anxiety-reducing methods may work for you.
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Call 999 immediately if anyone is injured, if the collision scene is dangerous or if someone involved leaves the scene without exchanging the details required by law. You may also want to call an appropriate adult who can help.
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It’s useful to take a photo of the accident scene if you can do this on your phone or you could keep a pen and paper in your car so that you can make a sketch. Remember to note street names, vehicle locations, collision points and any damage.
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Ask for the names, addresses and vehicle registrations of any witnesses, including passengers in the other vehicle(s) involved.
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Take down the registration number, make, model and colour of the other vehicle(s) involved in the accident. Drivers (including you) must then exchange their own details by law. This includes name, address, telephone number and insurance details (the name and address of each driver's insurance company, and insurance policy numbers if available).
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If the other car involved is parked and its driver isn't there, you must leave a note with your details on the car, perhaps under the windscreen wiper.
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You must then notify your insurance company of the accident.
Blue Badge
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.
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?
Blue Badges are issued by TransportNI. You can apply for a Blue Badge by clicking here.
- Who is eligible for a Blue Badge in Northern Ireland?
You can get a Blue Badge if you:
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receive the higher rate of the mobility part of Disability Living Allowance
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receive a War Pension Mobility Supplement
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receive a benefit under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme within tariff levels one to eight (inclusive) and have been certified by the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) as having a permanent impairment which causes inability to walk or a lot of difficulty walking
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are registered blind
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receive eight points or more under the 'moving around' activity for the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
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drive a vehicle regularly, have a severe disability in both arms and are unable to operate, or have a lot of difficulty operating, all or some types of parking meter
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have a permanent disability which means you cannot walk or have a lot of difficulty walking.
Blue Badges can be applied for on behalf of a person aged more than two years old.
To read more about the eligibility criteria, please click here.
- Appeals
If your application is unsuccessful:
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you will be notified in writing of the reason you are not eligible
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your fee will be refunded
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you can ask to have your application reassessed if you don’t think all the information you provided was taken into account.
You can re-apply if your mobility problems become more serious or you become automatically entitled - see Section B of the application form for more information.
Links to further information and support
- Visit Driver and Vehicle Agency Northern Ireland (DVANI)
- Visit Disabled Motoring UK
- Visit Disability Driving Instructors website for help to find a driving instructor experienced in teaching autistic people and for general advice about driving
- Find out about Pass Plus - a practical training course that takes at least 6 hours and is for drivers to improve their skills and drive more safely.
- Find out about the Motability scheme support for autistic drivers