Has Anyone Had Their Driving License Affected

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I was just reading up on how ASD can affect driving and noticed you have to notify the DVLA if you get diagnosed with Asperger's and it affects your driving.

I may be jumping the gun here as I haven't even had a Dx. The only problem I have when driving is at night when it always feels like every car is driving with their high beams on.

Has anyone had any complications when notifying the DVLA ( or the relevant driving authorities in your country ) or even had their license taken off them?

We don't have a requirement like that in New York State.

You can't drive if you've had an epileptic seizure leading to unconsciousness within the past six months.

Why get a diagnosis, anyway? Would it provide any benefit for you?

How about if it affects your ability to drive?

You're really limited in most parts of the US if you are unable to drive. It severely restricts your job choices, for example.

Of course, I understand you want to know what makes yourself tick.

Asperger's, really, is such a subjective diagnosis. One clinician might think you definitely have it; whereas another will completely dismiss the idea.

But suppose you really DON'T have the condition which is on your permanent record, and which is severely restricting you?

Im actually thinking you might have a slight case of "night blindness," since every headlight appears to you to be on "high beams." I get that impression, too, some nights.

It doesn't mean you have it. Just something to look into.

If you do have nightblindness at all, it's probably very slight.

I'm an excellent driver.

If your driving is not affected then you don't need to say anything. If you passed your test then you've been deemed suitable to drive so unless you have a condition that wasn't evident when you passed your test that changes your ability to drive like narcolepsy, fits and so on, then there's no need to say anything.

Have you ever had cause to doubt your driving ability through all those years of driving?

I've been able, actually, to do okay at driving despite having (mild) perceptual difficulties and problems with coordination. I've had a few fender-benders---but no serious accidents. I actually have no accidents on my driving record. i believe I am fit to drive despite not being "optimal" in a perceptual sense.

There's a pretty fuzzy rule, according to the National Autism society, which states that you could be fined 1000 Pounds if you fail to disclose a disability which might affect your driving. There's nothing about disclosing that you, specifically, have Asperger's Syndrome.

I'm not sure how much of this "rule" is actually enforced. I would say it would be very difficult, in the absence of a formal diagnosis, to prove that you have such a disability should you get into an accident.

Ok, these assumptions that ASD people can't drive drives me crazy (pun intended)! My mom let me steer the car from the passenger's seat (irresponsible mom, but what can I tell ya) starting when I was 8. When I was 10, I steered an entire NJ to PA trip which lasted for 2.5 hours and included parking for eating/resting, etc. I got my driver's license when I was 16, and I have not had one accident for 24 years. I even drove a big rig for a year with absolutely no incidents.

I have no depth perception, and I had to take the written driver's exam three times to pass it (which is weird, I usually do good on tests), but I can drive like the wind. So yeah, let's not be making not assumptions that ASD people can't drive, and need to report to the DMV or something like we are bad drivers or something.

P.S. I've driven in Manhattan dozens of times with no incident, and that's not easy.

I was wondering this myself a little while ago. I've yet to get even a learner's permit though I've been of age for several years. Whatever I have, it definitely affects my ability to drive. Chaotic scenes make my vision "blur" in a way that makes it impossible to track more than one source of movement at a time. Pretty obvious handicap on a road. I have a handbook right now I'm using to study for the test which says I have to get a doctor to fill out a form to certify that my condition won't affect my driving if I have one that has the potential to do so. That's Florida law. Seems pretty reasonable.

I live in Western Australia and I have only had to disclose my ADHD because I take dexamphetamine and it would show up on police drug tests. I have an empty medication bottle with my name on it and the prescribing doctor's name on it so maybe that will help if I am questioned.