Disabilities and the car driver practical test
Published 9 April 2021
Last updated 9 April 2021
Learn about the adjustments for disabled practical test candidates. Clearly explains the process of booking your test, what types of help you could get and how to get in touch.
Not long ago we blogged about how we can help candidates with a disability tackle their theory test. We also promised that we’d write a similar piece about the practical test, so here it is.
The practical test is the final challenge you have to face before you get your full driving licence, and we know how much this means. As we said in the theory test post, it’ll mean freedom and independence. It’ll also open up a new world of social and employment opportunities.
DVSA really wants anyone who’s capable of driving safely to get out there and grab these opportunities. So long as the test is not undermined, DVSA is more than happy to accommodate candidates with a special need, and I’ll explain here some of the things we can do to help.
Pass or fail: it’s the same for everyone
The first thing to say about taking the driving test if you have a disability is that the test will not be any ‘easier’ than it would be for a non-disabled person. You’ll still have to take a ‘test of competence to drive’, which means that you’ll have to show you’re capable of controlling a car and following the rules of the road. Like any other candidate, to pass your test you’ll have to keep your faults to a minimum. This is how they work
- Driver fault: Not potentially dangerous, but if you make the same fault throughout your test it could become a serious fault. You can notch up 15 driving faults and still pass, but more than this means automatic failure.
- Serious fault: Something that could potentially be dangerous. One of these means a definite test failure.
- Dangerous: Something that puts you, the examiner, another person or property into a dangerous position. Unsurprisingly, if you rack up one of these, you’ll fail your test.
Booking your test
You can book your test online and tell us that you have a disability. If you’d like to discuss your needs in more detail, go to the end of this post, where you’ll find our email address and phone number.
Test centre accessibility
Wherever possible, we’ve tried to make our driving test centres accessible to people with a disability; for example, we’ve installed ramps and created disabled parking spaces. However, some centres are very small and sometimes in a situation where we have not been able to make adaptations.
We’ll tell you when you book your test whether the test centre you’ve chosen is accessible. If it’s not accessible (or you’d just prefer it), you can ask for the examiner to meet you in your car, rather than in the waiting room.
Timing
If you declared a disability when you booked your test, you’ll normally get extra time to take the test. This is because of the extra paperwork the examiner will need to complete, and also to give you a bit more time to do the manoeuvre. The examiner will explain and make sure you’ve properly understood what’s expected – this may also take extra time, depending on your disability.
Some of the disabilities we can support
We’ll try our best to accommodate anyone’s disability and we’re always learning something new, but here are some of the ways we can support you.
Candidates with a hearing impairment or who are deaf without speech
If you’re deaf, or deaf without speech, the examiner will agree with you – before you take the test – how they should give instructions about the route and the manoeuvre. Often your approved driving instructor (ADI) will be able to help here, as they’ll be used to teaching you and giving you instructions.
You can take a BSL signer with you to translate what the examiner’s saying. The signer must be at least 16 years old and could be your ADI. Alternatively, you may want to write things down or lip read – just tell the examiner how you’d prefer to communicate.
Using an adapted car
If you have a physical disability, you may want to take your test in a car that’s been specially adapted for your needs. Of course, that’s perfectly fine so long as your car meets the usual requirements for a car to be used on test. They’re explained here on GOV.UK.
You and your examiner will spend a few minutes of your extra time to talk about your car’s adaptations before you take the test. Also, your examiner will be happy for you to carry out the eyesight test and vehicle safety questions from inside your car.
Candidates with reading difficulties or a learning disability
If you tell us when you book your test that you have a learning disability, like dyslexia or dyspraxia, we may be able to arrange for you to have extra time. If you wait until the time of your test to tell us about your disability, it probably will not be possible to give you extra time. Either way, though, the examiner will talk to you about how your disability may affect your driving.
Before you get in the car, your examiner will ask you to read out the number plate of a car (but not yours!), to check that your eyesight is OK for you to drive. If you have reading difficulties, tell the examiner and they’ll be happy for you to write the number down, rather than read it out loud.
Once you get in the car, the examiner will need to find out what’s the best way for you to complete the independent driving part of the test. During the independent driving section, you’ll be asked to drive for about 20 minutes, either by following directions from a sat nav or by following traffic signs instead.
If you have a learning disability, the examiner will make adjustments for the independent driving part of the test. They might ask if you’d prefer to follow traffic signs instead of verbal directions from the sat nav.
The examiner can also
- help you remember where you’re supposed to be heading if you’re following traffic signs; or directions from the sat nav; or.
- when you’re following directions from the sat-nav, the examiner may help you with extra information if the sat nav is unclear.
When you’re doing the independent driving part of the test with a sat nav, the examiner will provide it. They’ll use a TomTom Start 52 and set it up for you, so you do not have to worry about that.
You will not be allowed to use your own sat-nav but, because the examiner will set everything up for you, that should not matter. You’ll be able to ask the examiner for confirmation of where you’re going if you’re not sure. It will not matter if you go the wrong way, unless you make a fault while doing it.
The paperwork
The examiner will use the same form (the DL25) to record your test performance. You’ll get a copy of this report whether you pass or fail, and you can talk about it with your ADI after your test.
Of course, we hope you’ve reached the standard to pass but, if not, practise some more and come back when you and your ADI feel you’re ready. And remember, more or less everyone gets there in the end!
Get in touch
That’s another long blog post about disability, and I hope this one’s been helpful too.
If you have a disability that we have not covered here and you’d like to talk about what accommodation we can make on your driving test, please contact us on
DVSA driving test booking support
Telephone: 0300 200 1122 (Monday to Friday, 8 am to midday).