​​​​​​Some autistic people may find the skill of driving extremely difficult, whilst 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: 

• 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 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: 

• writing things down 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. 
 

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. 

• 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.
 

Fitness to drive rules 

You do not have to disclose your autism diagnosis to the DVLA 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 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. 

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 may also be able to get help with the cost of driving lessons through a Motability Charitable Grant. 
 
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 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.
 

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. 

• 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. 
• Try to stay calm. Maybe take some slow, deep breaths or use whatever anxiety-reducing methods may work for you. 
• 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. 
• 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. 
• Ask for the names, addresses and vehicle registrations of any witnesses, including passengers in the other vehicle(s) involved. 
• 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). 
• 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. 
• 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. 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, which you get from your local authority on the Government’s website. 

• 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’.  

Blue Badges can be applied for on behalf of a person aged more than two years old.  
 
Read more about the Blue Badge scheme. 

• Appeals 

If your application is unsuccessful your local authority should give you a detailed written explanation of the reasons why. If you think you have been incorrectly or unfairly refused a Blue Badge, you can ask for a review of the decision or use the local authority’s complaints procedure. 

You should explain to your local authority why you believe the decision is wrong and provide them with any evidence you have to support your case. Support from a disability group, medical or other professional, councillor or MP may help. 
 

Links to further information and support 

• Visit Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
• Visit Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
• Visit Disabled Motoring UK  
• Visit Disability Driving Instructors website for help to find an experienced driving instructor and for general advice about driving  
• Find out about Pass Plus - a practical training course that takes at least six hours and is for drivers to improve their skills and drive more safely 
• Find out about the Motability scheme support for autistic drivers