Autism and driving - new dvla rules

[ineedaknittedhat]

www.theguardian.com/society/2019/mar/03/autistic-people-angry-at-having-to-disclose-diagnosis-to-dvla-even-if-driving-not-affected

The rules used to say that you had to inform them if your driving was affected, now you have to disclose it regardless.

You have to seek permission from your GP or specialist (hollow laugh) in order to continue driving, and complete a form sent to you by the dvla.

They class asd as a mental health condition (it's not).

Aspergers is included in this classification.

Just thought fellow autistics should be aware as you get fined £1000 for not informing them.

I passed my test first time, even though my husband was terminally ill at the time and I was beyond worried about him. I needed to pass so I could drive him to the hospital appointments.

I was saying the the DVLA would base it on research. They would have to. A quick search on Research Gate brings up this study: www.researchgate.net/publication/263097466_Driving_Behaviors_in_Adults_with_Autism_Spectrum_Disorders
I was not saying that my experience caused my view; it simply is an example of the things discussed in this study, which suggests that individuals with autism might experience more difficulties with driving than NT people.

This is just awful. My boys have Autism, as if life isn't challenging enough now they need to be declared fit to drive!

You know, if we got people over a certain age to get verification from their GP that they were safe to drive there would be uproar and talk if ageism!

And since when has "terrible driving" been on the diagnostic criteria for Autism?

Ah shit.

DS discussed this with his GP (or at least I did while he sat there silently) when he first started driving. She said she'd note on his file 'in case they ever ask' that he was probably, if anything, safer than most young drivers because of his attention to detail, spatial awareness and rule-following. I don't think he ever declared it to the DVLA because of the clause about 'if it affects your driving'.

He's an excellent driver but very poor at dealing with admin and extra stress. He's had more than one MH referral over the past year (and no one there has ever mentioned driving, unless he brought it up when checking on med side effects). He's also just decided to apply for a bus licence.

This is going to be shit.

"Terrible driving is one of the lesser known possible (so not everyone of course) traits of autism. Certainly my ASD ex should never have been allowed in a car. "

Got any research/sites showing that? It's possible to be Autistic and also a terrible driver, and for them to not be related.

So just to be clear Alison100199, you think that the DVLA based their decision on a pilot study, which used self-reporting, from America in 2014 and the mention of your ex, who had ASD, was a purely random comment and had nothing to do with your perspective at all?

But Alison everyone with ASD had to pass their driving test like everyone else. Unlike physical or mental health conditions, ASD can't suddenly appear at some point after the test which changes the validity of the test. A person with ASD is the same person (in respect to the ASD) as they were when they took the test. They were deemed competent then - so what does the DVLA think has changed?

It's just more blatant discrimination on the grounds of "well, they're not really like us normal people, are they?"

Despite not being diagnosed til the age of 38 I passed my test not knowing I had autism and drove fine for 20 years prior to diagnosis. I've driven fine for the 2 years since. I've reported Alison's disablism.

What???
Thanks for the info
So my son who has been refused pip as they think his autism has no affect whatsoever on his daily life has to declare it to the dvla. Yes I see the logic there

No you're making prejudicial comments about an entire group of people solely based on their neurotype.

A few years ago I was doing the usual DLA form for DS and found something to support his getting higher rate mobility (much needed) I could be wrong but possibly the Cerebra guidance which stated that neurodiversity is a physical / organic (brain) condition.

I think it was to make it clear to the assessor than he was not refusing to make walking progress but was physically unable to despite functioning legs because of what was going on with or different about the organ controlling them.

If this is still the accepted definition then it is hugely wrong to classify it as a mental health condition.

This will put people off going for diagnosis

Ridiculous decision

Alison100199 none of us can determine whether you are "the bad guy" or not. I don't even know what you mean by that. However, you said you don't have a problem with the DVLA suddenly deciding that all those with a diagnosis of autism, now have to declare that condition and get certification from their GP that they are fit to drive. You also stated that your ex, who had ASD, should never have been allowed in a car.

You see, from what you've posted, you sound massively prejudiced to me because of your experience with your ex and that you are projecting what you perceived as his poor driving skills onto an entire group of people - a bit like saying you had a black ex-boyfriend who should never have been allowed in a car and was a complete liability and so all black people should have to declare themselves black to the DVLA and get a certificate from their GP to say they were fit to drive. How does that sound to you now?

Does this mean insurers need to be notified? So we can all enjoy the privilege of a premium hike as a result?

This is ludicrous. And in addition to what everyone else has said above, I'm sure that our already vastly-overstretched GPs are going to welcome 100s of extra (and pointless) appointments to declare people fit to drive.

@Alison100199

What makes you think that this is a good study to cite to back up your argument? Have you actually read it?

This is incredibly outing for me, but fuck it. I have had a lengthy discussion with the DVLA this morning. It's on Twitter and various autism Facebook groups. They don't know why it's happened - the government told them too. They have no further information, but we have to declare. Alison they haven't based it on studies, they haven't issued a statement, and the people who work there don't know why it's happened. It's baseless and contravenes the Equality Act.

Alison100199 that study relies on people's honesty not on independent assessment of driving skills.

I would hate to be prevented from driving as long as I am safe (which I am. Driven for 30 years without incident). Therefore, this is enough to stop me pursuing a diagnosis, which I have been gearing up to do.

That is both interesting and alarming HugAndRoll.

There's a petition at Changeorg - please read and sign if you have a minute!

@FetchezLaVache

I can't get that link to work. Will definitely be signing though, it's absolutely disgraceful.

I've signed. I'm autistic and think it's outrageous that this condition is classified as mental health.