Appendix: Template driving test letter
Address 1
Address 2
Address 3
Address 4
Postcode
Date
Driving Licence number:
Dear Sir/Madam
Re: Declaration of disability (ASD/HFA/AS)
I am due to take my driving test on XXXXX (date) at XXXXX (time) at XXXXX
driving test centre.
My driving instructor has informed me that I need to declare that I have a disability.
This letter has been provided by The National Autistic Society to help me explain my
condition in the best way. You may want to contact the National Autistic Society if you
need any further information about autism spectrum disorders. The Autism Helpline can
be contacted by telephone on: 0808 800 4104 or emailed at:
[email protected] .
I have a diagnosis of ASD/HFA/AS and many people mistakenly think that all people
with autism are like ‘Rainman’, but this is not the case. I have been able to lead an active
and normal life and am able to carry out day to day tasks that others’ can, but may need a
few adaptations to do so.
People with an ASD have three main areas of difficulty, sometimes referred to as the
Triad of Impairments, which are detailed below.
1) Communication - People with an ASD can have varying difficulties in
communicating both verbally and non-verbally.
2) Social Interaction – this can be particularly difficult and they may have a
difficulty in relating socially to others. People with an ASD can have difficulty in
reading the thoughts and feelings of others.
3) Inflexibility of thought - People with an ASD can have rigid and inflexible ways
of thinking and are often resistant to change and have difficulty in adapting to the
demands of everyday life and in responding to people and situations that are new
or unfamiliar.
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People with an ASD also process information differently and can take longer to take in
and understand information that is communicated to them and often process things in a
singled-channelled way (one thing at once) whereas most people processes information
in a multi-channelled way (several different types of information at once).
Autism ranges through the entire IQ spectrum and some people may have additional
learning difficulties or experience problems in learning new skills and in functioning and
making judgements in social situations. (I do not have an associated learning disability though,
and am able to learn and master new skills when I have the required support and/or adaptations).
I am informing you of my condition, not because I feel it affects my ability to learn to
drive or pass my test, but more that the test conditions are particularly difficult for
someone with an autistic spectrum disorder and that methods of learning to drive and
passing on instructions may need to be adapted to enable me to learn these skills. I have
taken the liberty of suggesting some ways in which I can be adapted for during the test
process. I do not believe that these would give me any unfair advantage over other test
candidates, but would merely take into account my disability.
The main difficulties I have and adaptations that I require are as follows:
Understanding instructions:
Although my language understanding is good, I can find it hard to understand
instructions that are not absolutely clear. It is helpful if people can use very clear cut,
unambiguous instructions and no colloquialisms. Although I can easily understand
verbal instruction I can sometimes react to them more slowly than other people,
therefore where possible it is important to give me plenty of prior warning.
Processing information:
Although I have very good verbal skills and understand language very well, it can take
longer for me to process information than other people. Therefore it would be helpful
to have instructions in advance where possible to give me time to process them. For
instance, rather than saying “take the next turning” you could say “please take the 2nd
turning on the right” as soon as it is possible to say so. It is also harder for me to take in
more than one instruction at a time, so where possible please give me one instruction at
once
Attention span:
As I have to concentrate hard on processing information I have a shorter attention span
than other people and need to take more breaks. This may mean I pause slightly
between instructions or manoeuvres and might need a short break, as I would when
driving myself when necessary.
Anxiety:
Due to having to concentrate so hard on everything they do, say and hear, along with
difficulty in managing the new or unfamiliar, people with an ASD can suffer from
heightened anxiety. I understand that everyone who takes a driving test is anxious, but
for me this is especially true as being in a new situation with a new person is very difficult
for someone with an ASD.
Sensory factors:
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Many people with an ASD experience sensory differences which mean their senses may
be heightened, causing them to hear things more loudly, see things more vividly or feel
things more intensely. This means, again, that I have to concentrate especially hard –
more so than the average person. Ensuring that there as few distractions as possible is
very helpful and avoiding test routes with major distractions such as loud noise from
road works etc is very helpful.
Multi tasking:
Processing more than one thing at once is more difficult for people with an ASD. I can
do this, but sometimes it takes longer or means I have to concentrate especially hard.
Normally it is difficult for someone with autism to do something active and process
someone talking at the same time. This is why receiving instructions whilst driving is
particularly hard. If you think I have not taken in what you say to me, please check with
me.
All these factors do not mean I am unable to drive or am not fit to drive, they just mean
that I have to focus a lot more than other people to master learning to drive. I also
know how to adapt for my own condition too – for instance, when driving I will make
sure I take plenty of breaks, not listen to music (or do anything else) at the same time, or
talk with other people where possible.
There are some positive aspects that a person with an ASD has that should also help to
make me a good driver too though. People with an ASD often rely on rules and strict
guidance to help them cope with what they see as an unpredictable world. Therefore
anything with strict rules and guidance (such as the Highway Code) is much easier for me
and is something I will not divert from. People with an ASD also usually respond much
better to visual communication and guidance and therefore the symbols used in the
Highway Code and on roads are a good way for me to understand the rules of the road.
I do hope you find this helpful and are able to take this information into account both
for my test and future reference.
Yours faithfully
Your name
NB: A copy of this letter has been sent to the DVLA main office and my local driving
test centre where I am due to take my test.
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