Advice on Learning to Drive with a Disability
Did you know that learner drivers with a provisional driving licence can now practice their driving skills on motorways in England, Scotland and Wales. Though a high-speed road with busy traffic may seem intimidating, learning to drive can also be a daunting prospect if you have a disability.
Luckily there are solutions in place for people with disabilities that can help you learn how to drive today. Driving in a car or mobility scooter tailored to your needs can help you to drive and live your day to day life with ease. If you have a disability and want to drive, first contact a specialist driving assessor who can take into consideration your driving abilities and help you to drive in a way that is suitable for you. They can do this through suggesting specific access improvements, car modifications, or even a range of specialist hand controls, clutch conversations, seat belt modifications, equipment storage and car seating.
To read more information on driving with a disability, you can go to the Motability charity website, where they offer advice on car and scooter schemes and transport modifications. You can also go to the Driver and Vehicles Standards Agency (DVSA) Safe Driving for Life government webpage. To learn how to drive in the United Kingdom (UK) you need to take two tests, the practical driving test and the driving theory test. The UK driving theory test asks provisional drivers questions on the highway code, traffic signs and the essential driving skills needed when driving in the UK. The UK practical driving test has five sections over forty minutes that test your independent driving, vehicle safety questions and even an eye sight check. If you are disabled, a specialist driving assessor should help you to find solutions to passing the test in some of these areas.
If you like the idea of driving but don’t want to commit to driving a car, there are other options available including on road and off road mobility scooters and cabin cars. Fashionable scooters include heating, USB drives and even remote central locking. Driving a mobility scooter will feel like you are in your own personally designed car. The great thing about them is that they can drive on both the road and pavement for your peace of mind. Worried about the size and space? no problem! you can also have space in your mobility scooter to carry shopping and heavy itemsin specially designed baskets.There are plenty of places with mobility scooters for sale, so don’t worry about finding one that is perfect for your needs.
Whatever type of transport you decide, driving can be achieved with a disability no matter how old you are. So, if you are thinking about driving, why not make your first move today.
I lost my sight a few months before I turned 16, driving was the one thing I had always wanted to do, the pain of my arthritis was not easy and I hoped that having a car would give me the real freedom and independence I desperately wanted. Unfortunately for me it was not to be. I did have a mobility scooter, which gave my friends and I lots of entertainment, and actually made me think I was a driver even though I clearly was not! My mobility scooter did give me that independence I craved, although for the most part I had to drive on the roads because I couldn’t get up onto or off the kerbs in certain areas!
I do have a few funny stories about my mobility scooter adventures, let me know if you want to hear them.
Was this post useful to you? Have you ever used mobility car or scooter? What has been your experiences as a disabled driver?
I would love to know in the comments below!
This blog post was originally published on thinkingoutloud-sassystyle.com and has been republished with the permission of the author, Sassy Wyatt.
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Sassy is charismatic, outspoken and sometimes funny. You will probably find her drinking tea and singing badly to her Guide Dog Ida. Her passion is to raise awareness of disabilities and make the world a more inclusive place. You can follow her ramblings on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Or join her Facebook group. A place for people to share their stories of disability and make new friends.
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