Learning to drive

The first step is to apply for your provisional driving licence. You can apply for your provisional licence three months before your 16 birthday and it will be valid once you turn 16.

You can:

• get the DI ‘Application for a driving licence’ form from any large Post Office
• apply for your first provisional driving licence online on GOV.UK.

You need to tell Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) about some medical conditions that could affect your fitness to drive. The DVSA may ask you to fill in a medical questionnaire.

You need to pass a theory test to show you know the theoretical rules of driving.

You can get support during your theory test and extra time for the multiple choice questions, if you can provide evidence.

When you book your theory test you should say you need support.

• Check support offered if you have a reading difficulty, disability or health condition on GOV.UK.
• Book your theory test on GOV.UK.

Motability, provides a guide to the driving theory test for disabled drivers.

There are driving instructors who specialise in teaching people with disabilities how to drive.

A specialised instructor will be more aware of your needs. The instructor would assess your needs then teaching you to drive, sometimes in specially adapted vehicles. They can also help you with the theory and hazard perception tests.

You would need around 40 hours of driving classes to be able to pass the test so it is important to pick an instructor you feel you will get along with.

• Find a specialist driving instructor on Disability Driving Instructors.

You must pass your theory test before you can book your driving test.

When you book your driving test on GOV.UK you should say if you have a:

• disability
• health condition
• learning difficulty.

Find:

• adjustments the examiner can make for your situation and
• what to take to your test and what happens during the test on GOV.UK.

Motability, might be able to help with the cost of up to 40 hours of driving lessons.

All grant applications based on your mobility needs, not wants.

In the right vehicle with the right controls you could be able to drive and achieve independent mobility.

It is possible that you may still be able to operate the standard controls in a manual car but using an automatic may be easier.

If the standard controls cannot be operated normally then you can consider adaptations to make driving easier.

Adaptations can modify the operation of the:

• foot pedals
• steering
• secondary controls (indicators, horn, headlamp dip/flash, wipers and washers);
• gear shift and the hand brake
• seat and the seat belt system.

You may need adaptation to help getting in and out of the car and help with wheelchair loading.

Driving Mobility can provide further advice about:

• your ability to drive a manual or automatic car
• the need for adaptations.