Driving can be challenging for many of us as it involves many different skills, including those involved in judging the space and speeds around us, concentration, co-ordination and memory, and many others besides.
Many neurodivergent people prefer to use public transport, or to rely on lifts from friends and family, as the prospect of driving is too overwhelming.
For others, it becomes second nature – just like riding a bike (which can also prove to be too challenging, of course).
Some of our Gentle Autistic members have been kind enough to share how they feel about driving:
“I was a late learner, 37 when I took test, 44 now. I believe myself to be a good driver and drive for my living and all the fears I felt for it for so many years are gone forever.”
“I’ve been a taxi driver for 15 years in a market town in the North of England. Nothing better than driving back from a successful job in the moonlit countryside with the wind blowing through my hair and my favourite loud music blasting the sheep! Have had a spotless licence for over 40 years”
“I love the thought of having my own car and being able to go to the middle of nowhere and any time. But my anxiety seems to have stopped me from learning to drive. I turn 40 soon. I loved racing car games when I grew up and my dad was a mechanic, so I kinda assumed I would drive one day but the actual thought of the lessons and being overly self conscious has put a stop to it…Oh and even just the thought of having to go to a petrol station to fill up with petrol fills me with dread. All the people watching and waiting…”
“At 17 got my provisional license and bought 10 driving lessons and an old mini for £100 and thought I’ve done the things I’ll be able to drive. Problem was neither of my parents drive (maybe a clue about later inheritable things!) I had absolutely no experience of road other than on foot I hadn’t even ever ridden a bike, I had my lessons and then reversed my car into my parents’ front garden wall and it stayed there for a few years until someone knocked on the door and bought it for £10 for parts. I am 50 now still pedestrian”.
“I was late to driving too; it took me a year of lessons but I did it, and now I feel I’m a good driver”.
“I don’t drive, I am terrified that I might hurt someone”.
Thanks so much for everyone for giving their permission to share their thoughts 😊
For me, learning to drive was the most important skill I learned, as it gave me my freedom and stopped me having to share restricted spaces with crowds of noisy strangers on public transport. It also meant I no longer had to try to understand timetables and took the pressure off me and my poor time keeping! I love driving and I like to think I’m a very safe driver, compared with many neurotypicals that I know!
There is plenty of information out there for those wishing to learn to drive, or for those who would like to check the rules around autism and driving – whether you are obliged to share your diagnosis with the DVLA and insurance companies. Here are a couple of links that I hope you find useful:
UK Drivers: There’s a really good guide below from the National Autistic Society – this is for UK drivers. It also provides information on possible financial support you may be able to apply for to help with lessons and leasing a car, if you qualify:
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/transport/driving
United States Drivers: I have also been asked by Milavetz Law to share their guide below, which has legislation that is specific to U.S. drivers with disabilities and a lot of useful information besides. (If you scroll down the page to the section on developmental disabilities, you’ll find information on both autism and ADHD). Interestingly, this article explains that research has found that autistic young drivers are 45% less likely to be stopped for a driving violation than their neurotypical peers (you’ll find the research reference in the link). I hope you find that encouraging and confidence-inspiring, wherever you live in the world 🙂
https://www.milavetzlaw.com/driving-with-a-disability-guide/
