Learning to drive with special needs

 

Learning to drive with special needs can be a very daunting feeling, however with the right approach and a Driving School that has 1st hand experience of teaching pupils with these conditions the learning process can be made a lot less stressful on all concerned.

Dyslexia - the main difficulties that arise with this condition as far as driving lessons are concerned is the poor organisational skills, remembering to do things in set sequence makes driving a lot easier, however with patients and repartition this can be overcome.
Weaknesses in short-term and working memory, speed of processing, can all be overcome with slight adjustments to drivingEmail us lessons and lesson structures.
Lefts and rights do not represent a problem, your driving instructor as well as giving verbal directions will give hand signals, pupils will not be asked to follow road signs on driving lessons, and since the DSA will know you are dyslexic the same procedure for your driving lessons is adopted for your driving test.

Dyspraxia - relates to having poor motor skills clumsiness and co-ordination difficulties. Pupils may also suffer from poor concentration leading to difficulties in retaining information and perceptual and spatial awareness problems.

Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder - this can affect the pupil in a way that they are easily side-tracked and confused by too much going on around me, a very short attention span, fail to plan ahead and be noticeably restless and fidgety, and worst of all behaviour of people with AD(H)D can be inappropriate and unpredictability leading to a very short fuse.

ME - Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as M.E., is a condition with a diverse range of symptoms but particularly characterised by profound muscle fatigue after physical exertion. The best way to deal with this condition is to have 1 hour lessons if possible, also your instructor will be very accommodating if you need to cancel a lesson at short notice.

All the above conditions can be overcome eventually by adjustments to lessons plans and driving lesson structure, they just take time, taking us back again to patience and repartition.

As far as the theory test is concerned the system has the option for dyslexic candidates to listen to the test being read in English through a headset, voice-over's in 20 other languages are available, dyslexic candidates can also apply to have up to double the standard time. You need to ask when you apply for the test. A letter or report from a professional should explain your reading ability i.e., a teacher, a psychologist, or Local Dyslexia Association officer. You will have to phone again for a test date after the report has been processed.

Intensive / crash courses

For a more intense learner driving experience, take and pass your test quicker. All courses are individually designed to cater for all your individual needs from 4 hours a day to 4 hours a week.

Refresher Driving lessons

For those that may have passed their driving test some time ago and require a few tutorials to help them feel more confident and safe behind the wheel once again.

Pass Plus

Gain that valuable driving experience quicker and save money at the same time, 6 hours of tutorials and there's no test at the end, and get the council to pay £75 towards the cost.

Driving Courses available:

  1. Weekly driving lessons
  2. Intensive / crash Courses
  3. Refresher lessons
  4. Motorway tuition
  5. Pass Plus courses
  6. eco safe driving
  7. Theory test training
  8. Driver familiarisation Courses
  9. Nervous pupils + special needs
  10. Au pair Driving Assessments
  11. Automatic Owners Vehicle* Conditions may apply

As a member of the DIA (Driving Instructors Association) our driving school is fully insured and we have Professional Indemnity to £3,000,000 and Public Liability to £5,000,000.