Statistics on autistic drivers

As a research specialist I would say that such a statistic would be difficult as autism is a spectrum and so severe autism with IQ <70 will definitely not be safe to drive, but mild autism with high IQ, will be excellent drivers and some , who have had cars as their focus, have become superb https://www.driving.co.uk/news/features/guy-martin-racing-formula-ones-jenson-button-aspergers-theres-life-bikes/

DaveAsperg said:

mild autism with high IQ, will be excellent drivers

I think it's more a matter of one's personal combination of traits rather than overall "mildness" or "severity". I had quite a few lessons, but realised that I would be unlikely to ever be a safe driver. Controlling the vehicle was never too much of a problem, but a combination of attentional, executive functioning, and sensory effects means that I'm simply not able to maintain the necessary situational awareness. I cannot judge either my own speed or that of other vehicles at all well, have great difficulty interpreting what I'm seeing in mirrors, and find my attention wandering or captured by unexpected stimuli at inopportune moments.

DaveAsperg said:

mild autism with high IQ, will be excellent drivers

I think it's more a matter of one's personal combination of traits rather than overall "mildness" or "severity". I had quite a few lessons, but realised that I would be unlikely to ever be a safe driver. Controlling the vehicle was never too much of a problem, but a combination of attentional, executive functioning, and sensory effects means that I'm simply not able to maintain the necessary situational awareness. I cannot judge either my own speed or that of other vehicles at all well, have great difficulty interpreting what I'm seeing in mirrors, and find my attention wandering or captured by unexpected stimuli at inopportune moments.

I second this. I had 20+ hrs of lessons. On maybe 3 of those I drove fairly well and enjoyed it but the rest I never felt fully in control and couldn't imagine ever getting to a point where my brain was fast enough.

My OH isn't diagnosed but has autistic traits and took 4 attempts and 60+hrs of lessons to pass his test. He had to drive for work but still gets very stressed at driving anywhere new, or needing to find a parking space, and will take instructions literally (take the next right and he'll drive into someone's drive rather than the next road).