The freedom to roam...

Learner Drivers using adaptations

​​

When applying for your provisional licence the DVLA will ask for information regarding your health and any adaptations that you may require. This will sometimes require them to contact your doctor or healthcare team in order to get their opinion on your medical fitness to drive and may require you undergo a driving assessment at one of the Driving Mobility assessment centres, although this sounds daunting it is nothing to be feared, Driving Mobility is a charity set up to help people gain or maintain their independence through driving.

​

Once a licence is issued it is not likely to have any specific licence codes on and these will be added after you have passed.

​

When booking your practical driving test you must inform the DVLA that you have a disability, special provision may be made for people with a hearing difficulty, physical disability or learning difficulty to allow additional time to be allocated. This ensures the examiner has time to communicate with candidates with hearing difficulties (using written notes, with the aid of lip reading or sign language – with an interpreter if necessary), has time to discuss any physical disability and adaptations that may be needed and has time to discuss any special requirements that would help to overcome learning difficulties or special educational needs. The additional time allocation would also allow the pupil to take a break during the course of the test if, for example, fatigue is an issue.

​

For details of the None Standard Test CLICK HERE >>>

​

​

Full licence holders needed to use adaptations

​

If you have had a life changing injury or diagnosis and can no longer drive using conventional vehicle controls, you are legally obliged to inform the DVLA. This may result in the DVLA contacting your healthcare team and get their opinion on your medical fitness to drive and may require you undergo a driving assessment at one of the Driving Mobility assessment centres, although this sounds daunting it is nothing to be feared, Driving Mobility is a charity set up to help people gain or maintain their independence through driving. They will ensure that you are safe to drive using adaptations and can offer advice on different types of adaptations that may be suitable.

​

If you do not have to have an assessment the DVLA will ask you which adaptations and or licence codes you need to have on your licence. It is IMPORTANT that you discuss with your trainer because if they are wrong it will effect your insurance.