Travel
Driving
Driving if I'm disabled
What you need to know
Learning to drive is a brilliant way to get mobile. It not only gives you a great feeling of independence, but for some, is a really practical solution for getting out and about.
You also have a responsibility when you buy a car to make sure that it's taxed and has an up-to-date MOT certificate. Read the article on buying a car on this website for more information about the do's and don'ts of buying a car.
If you are disabled one of the most obvious things to consider when buying a car, is getting the car adapted to your needs. Most cars can be converted to suit your disability. This can range from a simple hand control to very technical 'joystick' controls.
You might also be able to get a grant to assist with the extra costs for any conversions you need. These grants are offered by charitable organisations and are usually obtained by application to those organisations.
What you can do
- You can apply for your provisional licence within three months of your sixteenth birthday. You won't be able to start learning though until you are sixteen.
- Talk to any disabled drivers you know, as they will be able to give you first hand practical advice.
- Speak to your parents or carers about what adaptations you think you might need for your car.
- Check with your local test centres about their disabled access policy - when you are ready for your test you will need to advise them about your disability. This is so they can give more time to your test - the examiner needs time to understand your disability before they can start to assess your driving.
- If you don't yet have an adapted car, check with local driving schools, they might be able to provide one for you.
- Do your research on the internet, as there are several good sites dedicated to this subject.
