Photo: Centre for Ageing Better / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.
If you have a limb difference, short stature or use a wheelchair, you can learn to drive in the UK in a car set up for your body. The usual route is a driving assessment at an accredited mobility centre, which recommends the controls and seating you need, then lessons and the test in a car with those adaptations. You drive the same test to the same standard as everyone else; the examiner can make adjustments for your situation. If an adaptation is needed, your full licence will carry a code showing it.
This guide focuses on the equipment side, by type of body difference. The age-16 PIP route, DVSA test adjustments and Motability support are covered in Learning to drive with a disability in Great Britain, so they are only summarised here. For advice on your own body and health, ask your GP, consultant or occupational therapist.
Start with a driving assessment
A mobility centre assessment is not a test you can fail. An assessor looks at how you get in and out of a car, your reach, grip, strength and movement, and tries different controls with you, often in a static rig and then on the road. You come away with a written recommendation for the adaptations and type of car that suit you.
- GOV.UK points people to the Driving Mobility charity to search for mobility centres and driving assessment centres.
- Many centres accept self-referrals as well as referrals from health professionals; check with the centre.
- Assessments are usually charged for, and fees vary by centre, so ask when booking.
Adaptations by body difference
These are common examples of what assessors recommend. Your assessment decides what is right for you.
| Situation | Adaptations often considered |
|---|---|
| Upper limb difference (one hand or arm) | Steering aid such as a ball or tri-pin; secondary controls (indicators, lights, wipers) moved to a keypad or the steering aid; automatic gearbox |
| Right leg difference or no use of the right leg | Left-foot accelerator (removable on many systems so others can drive the car); automatic gearbox |
| Both legs, or no leg use | Hand controls for accelerator and brake (push-pull or push-rock), with a steering aid; automatic gearbox |
| Short stature | Pedal extensions, seat raisers or adjustable seats, cushions for correct airbag distance, extended controls |
| Wheelchair user who transfers | Transfer board or swivel seat; a hoist or roof box to stow the wheelchair |
| Wheelchair user who stays in the chair | Wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV) with a ramp or lift, where you drive from your wheelchair locked in place, plus suitable driving controls |
Fitting work should be done by a specialist converter, and you must tell your insurer about every adaptation.
Learning and taking the test in an adapted car
- Find an instructor with an adapted car or one who will teach in yours. Some instructors specialise in disabled drivers and have cars with common adaptations fitted.
- Booking in Great Britain: when you book, say that you have a disability. At the start of the test you can talk to the examiner about your disability and any adaptations fitted to your car. You still have to drive to the same standard to pass, but the examiner can make adjustments, and may agree to more time for instructions.
- Using your own car: it does not need dual controls, but it must have an extra interior mirror for the examiner, L plates (L or D plates in Wales) and insurance that covers a driving test.
- Automatic: most adapted cars are automatic. If you pass in an automatic, your licence covers automatics only. See Automatic licence restrictions.
- Northern Ireland: the test is run by the DVA, not DVSA. Support and adjustments are in Theory and driving test support in Northern Ireland, and wider DVA medical rules are in Driving with a medical condition or disability in Northern Ireland.
Licence codes for adaptations
After you pass, codes on your licence show the adaptations you need, for example adapted controls or an automatic gearbox. What each code means is set out in UK driving licence codes for medical conditions and adapted cars. If a condition affects your driving, you may also need to tell the DVLA; see Driving with a medical condition or disability in Great Britain.
Help with costs
- Motability Scheme: to lease a car, including a WAV, you need to be getting the enhanced rate mobility component of PIP or Adult Disability Payment, the higher rate mobility component of DLA or Child Disability Payment, War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement or Armed Forces Independence Payment.
- Vehicle tax: full exemption on one vehicle with most of the same mobility awards; a 50% reduction with the standard rate mobility component of PIP or ADP. You make the first claim at a Post Office.
- VAT relief: you may not have to pay VAT on adapting a vehicle for your condition.
- Blue Badge: see Blue Badge for new drivers in GB.
Related: Learning to drive with sight in one eye and Extra support for the car theory and driving tests.
Sources
- GOV.UK, “Driving test: disability, health condition or learning difficulty” (gov.uk)
- GOV.UK, “Driving test: using your own car” (gov.uk)
- GOV.UK, “Financial help if you’re disabled: vehicles and transport” (gov.uk)
- GOV.UK, “Disabled drivers: forum of mobility centres” (withdrawn guidance, gov.uk)