Autism and driving
Discussion
My eldest son is not far off 17 and desperate to get driving when he can. Aged around 5 or 6 he was diagnosed with an autistic spectrum condition, this was mainly based upon delayed speech which subsequently corrected itself. For many years this diagnosis hasn’t really had any impact on him, he’s a very normal teenager, he’s great a quite a few sports (and hence no issues with spatial awareness, judgement of distance etc). I’d be very confident if he was to spend time with adults who didn’t know him they wouldn’t notice any issue at all. We’re looking at driving licence applications and the DVLA guidance is to notify autism only if you think it’ll impact your driving. Our view is that the diagnosis, whilst still technically existing, will have nil impact in his driving and hence we’re inclined not to notify the DVLA. Likewise guidance on a well known insurance comparison site is that it’s only notifiable for insurance if you’ve notified the DVLA (although obviously would look carefully at the specific insurance questions and T&Cs).
My question is how much of a risk is this? Does anyone have experience of the norms here? If he was to be involved in a serious accident (let’s hope not) would there necessarily be a challenge around the judgement not to notify the DVLA?
I don’t particularly want to get into a protracted process with the DVLA if we don’t need to, it doesn’t seem logical to notify them when their own guidance states only to do so if you think driving is impacted and we’d only be doing it to shift the risk of the decision onto them.
My question is how much of a risk is this? Does anyone have experience of the norms here? If he was to be involved in a serious accident (let’s hope not) would there necessarily be a challenge around the judgement not to notify the DVLA?
I don’t particularly want to get into a protracted process with the DVLA if we don’t need to, it doesn’t seem logical to notify them when their own guidance states only to do so if you think driving is impacted and we’d only be doing it to shift the risk of the decision onto them.
EmailAddress said:
What is his risk assessment like in your personal experience?
Does he react 'normally' and in a timely manner, or freeze with indecision or panic at multiple options.
How does he react under stress of unknown e.g large complex roundabouts etc.
I'd only be concerned if he shows inability to manage the volume and processing of information, and / or while dealing with other drivers and conditions breaking his perception of any given scenario and how it 'should' play out.
He would probably do well for advanced tuition one he has a few miles under his belt.
In a nutshell; as long as he's not a headlight-freezing-rabbit or a red-raging-rager, I'm sure he'll be fine
Thanks. He’s generally fine under stress / faced with choices. He’s an accomplished footballer and very used to making quick choices and responding to a changing physical situation. He’s generally pretty calm and confident. Does he react 'normally' and in a timely manner, or freeze with indecision or panic at multiple options.
How does he react under stress of unknown e.g large complex roundabouts etc.
I'd only be concerned if he shows inability to manage the volume and processing of information, and / or while dealing with other drivers and conditions breaking his perception of any given scenario and how it 'should' play out.
He would probably do well for advanced tuition one he has a few miles under his belt.
In a nutshell; as long as he's not a headlight-freezing-rabbit or a red-raging-rager, I'm sure he'll be fine
I wouldn't do anything. Assuming your son can manage the learning and passing the test part of driving I would think he'd be fine. IF (a big if) there was a problem later on then by all means make a notification - but by then he'll have a licence.
Probably worth remembering that anyone over about 40 grew up in a time before there the awareness of the autistic spectrum there is now, and most likely knew kids who were "different" without a label explaining why. They all now drive, and will have done for decades.
My wife employs many neuro-diverse individuals and often finds that they can focus very intently on a particular task, as someone else stated above.
Probably worth remembering that anyone over about 40 grew up in a time before there the awareness of the autistic spectrum there is now, and most likely knew kids who were "different" without a label explaining why. They all now drive, and will have done for decades.
My wife employs many neuro-diverse individuals and often finds that they can focus very intently on a particular task, as someone else stated above.
Autism is a very wide spectrum going all the way from people who are non-verbal, struggle to communicate, through those that seem fairly normal but get overwhelmed by new situations, through to people like me who are perhaps just a bit shy, nerdy and find social situations uncomfortable but are otherwise high functioning.
If anything, I think most of the people on the spectrum would make excellent drivers as they are good at focusing, and like to obey rules and regulations. I certainly have no problems driving and it's not one of the "conditions" that you are obliged to report to the DVLA.
If anything, I think most of the people on the spectrum would make excellent drivers as they are good at focusing, and like to obey rules and regulations. I certainly have no problems driving and it's not one of the "conditions" that you are obliged to report to the DVLA.
I'd not mention it or worry about it. Mild autism is, if anything, an advantage, once you know that you have it and understand that it gives you a slightly different, more logical and rational, perception of the world. I have more concern about drivers who are classified, or consider themselves, as 'normal.'
This is a very interesting topic given where my son currently finds himself.
My 17 year old passed his test within 3 months at the beginning of this year and has spent the last 5 months driving around in a very capable manner. Someone has reported him to the DVLA and he received a letter regarding his medical condition, they will not tell us who reported him. We are awaiting their decision on whether they will allow him to keep his licence, it has been some months now since they last replied so who ever reported him did it as soon as he passed.
We have a suspicion of who it was and think it is jealousy as my son is driving around in a new car but that is only because it is a staff perk of who I work for and is the cheapest way of getting him mobile as the monthly payment for car and provided insurance is less than what your average 17 year would pay just for insurance.
He has been a good driver so far, far better than another member of my family who is waiting to take their test so I will be very upset if they deem him unfit to drive purely because he is on the spectrum.
Many years ago no one understood ASD yet people drove without issues. This is a very sensitive issue for me at present as you can tell.
My 17 year old passed his test within 3 months at the beginning of this year and has spent the last 5 months driving around in a very capable manner. Someone has reported him to the DVLA and he received a letter regarding his medical condition, they will not tell us who reported him. We are awaiting their decision on whether they will allow him to keep his licence, it has been some months now since they last replied so who ever reported him did it as soon as he passed.
We have a suspicion of who it was and think it is jealousy as my son is driving around in a new car but that is only because it is a staff perk of who I work for and is the cheapest way of getting him mobile as the monthly payment for car and provided insurance is less than what your average 17 year would pay just for insurance.
He has been a good driver so far, far better than another member of my family who is waiting to take their test so I will be very upset if they deem him unfit to drive purely because he is on the spectrum.
Many years ago no one understood ASD yet people drove without issues. This is a very sensitive issue for me at present as you can tell.
Dont report it to DVLA if you're happy that he can control the car and react in an appropriate manner to other traffic and people. My daughter has only just got her renewed provisional license back from the DVLA after the first one expired over 9 months ago. She has mild cerebral palsy and the DVLA forms for medicials are awful, compounded by the reports they want from doctors, just imagine how protracted things can be when DVLA + NHS + Royal Mail all bounce stuff around!
The DVSA guidance on Autism is:
"Ask your doctor if you’re not sure if your condition will affect your driving."
I have no idea how helpful or responsive a GP (or other) is, but that would appear to be the first step.
If you get the Doc agreement that is shouldn't affect his ability to drive, I would say you are in the clear.
"Ask your doctor if you’re not sure if your condition will affect your driving."
I have no idea how helpful or responsive a GP (or other) is, but that would appear to be the first step.
If you get the Doc agreement that is shouldn't affect his ability to drive, I would say you are in the clear.
When you get the letter stating he is all ok to drive, make sure the person you suspect of reporting him knows about it! You don't need to confront them but make sure they know how proud you are of your well adjusted Son who is perfectly fine to drive and do anything else he likes! And who also doesn't have a jealous bone in his body! Make sure you stress that last bit!! 
I have colleagues on the spectrum (some you wouldn’t know it at all and some are just a bit nerdy) and they’re driving. I’ve a friend who has an autistic child and he’ll clearly never drive, he has complex problems and is non-verbal but your son doesn’t seem to have any issues to stop him. Might be better than 80% of people already on the road!
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