Important info for autistic drivers!
“You should inform the vehicle licensing authority in your country for advice, if you have any type of disability that might affect your ability to drive a vehicle.”
Please note that if you are a car driver who is on the autistic spectrum. You may need to inform the vehicle licensing authority in your country that you have an autism diagnosis.
Here in the UK, it’s the DVLA. I checked on their website the other day, and autism spectrum disorder is one of the conditions they need to be informed about. I called them for advice, and they are sending me some medical forms to fill out. They will also require evidence from my doctor to find out whether I have been advised not to drive on medical grounds.
In the meantime, the DVLA advised me to continue to follow my doctors advice on whether I should drive or not.
Inform your car insurance company
I then called my car insurance company to tell them about my conversation with the DVLA. The insurance company also said I should follow my doctors advice on whether I should be driving, and to inform them on the DVLA’s decision.
I have been driving since 1980, twenty-eight years before my autism diagnosis, and I’m sure that I will be given the all clear to continue driving. However, I just wanted to stress to autistic drivers, the importance of being open and honest with both your insurance company and the vehicle licensing authority in your country. In case of an accident, your insurance company may decide not to pay out, if they find out you did not tell them about your autism.
The vehicle licensing authority will not be happy if you have been driving with an undisclosed medical condition.
Be careful out there.
Steve
I am the parent of a teenager with an historical diagnosis of mild autism
The DVLA website appears to suggest you only need to notify if it affects your driving
However if you call them they insist all cases have to be notified
Also their PDF document assesing medical conditions to drive – a guide to medical conditions (pg 78- 82) state that you have to inform them and slllowvthrm to make a decision in respect of fitnesss to drive
Just to point out that you only need to tell the DVLA about autism if it “affects your ability to drive safely.” If it doesn’t, then you are not required by law to inform them. It would obviously be a good idea to ask for your GPs opinion on that.
https://www.gov.uk/asd-and-driving
Hi Just
Re: Dvla and driving.
Sorry for taking so long to reply.
I thought the DVLA website said that if we are on the autistic spectrum we have to inform them. And they will take my doctors advice on whether i can drive.
Im just waiting for their answer. But i dont see that in my case it will be a problem.
Do you drive?
Regards Steve
http://www.adultswithautism.org.uk
You’re spot-on, thanks.
However I’ve taken the precaution of asking my GP if I need to inform DVLA.
To encourage others, I passed my IAM Advanced Motorcycle Test 3 years ago. My instructor did not raise any issues. As ASD is a lifelong condition, its highly unlikely that a deterioration would occur in older age affecting driving/riding..
Hi Geoffrey
Thank you for your message, and confirming the info.
Best wishes
Steve
Yes, please see my answer below to another post.