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Driving

Roguelife

I gave up learning to drive when I was nineteen because I couldn't even pass the theory test. Now I've picked it up again and have been learning to drive for around a year. I can get from A to B just fine and my manoeuvres are okay, but I've failed the practical test three times. 

Anyone else find driving extremely challenging? I know a few other autistic people and as far as I'm aware none of them drive. 

Parents

  • Autistic driving instructor here. What exactly do you struggle with? Make a list of things you do below test standard and things you do above test standard. Then with your instructor work on improving just one aspect up to test standard. So, for example, if you sometimes crunch the gears coming up to junctions, slow down earlier, brake earlier, change gear earlier. Then you’ll give yourself more time to get it right. Repeat again and again for that one lesson until you’re smooth. Next lesson review, then practice on one other aspect. You may need to learn with several different instructors until you find one with a similar teaching style to your learning style. Hope that helps. Good luck.

Reply

  • Autistic driving instructor here. What exactly do you struggle with? Make a list of things you do below test standard and things you do above test standard. Then with your instructor work on improving just one aspect up to test standard. So, for example, if you sometimes crunch the gears coming up to junctions, slow down earlier, brake earlier, change gear earlier. Then you’ll give yourself more time to get it right. Repeat again and again for that one lesson until you’re smooth. Next lesson review, then practice on one other aspect. You may need to learn with several different instructors until you find one with a similar teaching style to your learning style. Hope that helps. Good luck.

Children
  • in reply to Asparagus

    Thanks for your reply. My main issues are focus and spatial awareness - I struggle with focus all the time and so preventing myself from drifting off for an entire test or even a lesson is just such a struggle. I've always found islands confusing too although i've improved a lot here. I've made improvements all round but the third test I took was the worst of all...

    I'll take on board your advice. I think I'll try a different instructor too.

  • in reply to Asparagus

    I was lucky as I started driving on private roads when I was ten so I was able to take time to learn clutch and brake control. I passed my test first time and was the last to pass before they brought in the theory test. I tend to stick to local roads and have never driven on a motorway as I would struggle to cope with the speed and too many things to keep track of. I much prefer to take the train for long journeys or I cycle. I agree, that we need to move away from cars and think better about how we travel. I cycle more than I drive.