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Learning to drive can allow a person more freedom in their daily lives. The minimum age for learning to drive in the U.K. is seventeen although if you are disabled and receiving the higher rate of mobility allowance which includes the motability component you will be able to start learning to drive at sixteen. Motability recipients may also be exempt from road tax depending on their condition.

Some professional driving schools will have instructors who are familiar with teaching new drivers with disabilities. If you go to a driving school and explain your driving needs the school should be able to advise what kind of adaptions be made to the vehicle you use as well as how to accommodate any special needs. A professional driving instructor with experience of teaching people with disabilities will also be able to advise you on the best way to access your vehicle and how to operate adapted controls if relevant to your situation.

All drivers need to pass a theory examination before progressing on to a manual driving test. The test has two parts to it. A fifty question multiple choice test and a hazards perception test which is a screen based simulation of road hazards. Anyone with disabilities should inform the test centre prior to their test of any special needs that they require. By law all government buildings are required to be wheelchair accessible so all test centres should be adequately equipped for access. It is also possible for arrangements to be made to take your test at home should there be problems with accessing your nearest test centre.

For people with hearing difficulties the theory test is available in video format with sign language. The test is also available in spoken format.

The manual driving test that everyone takes whether disabled or not is the same. When it comes time to book your test let the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) know of any special requirements you require on the day.