Can an autistic get a driver's license?

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Hello everyone, I'm here with a new post looking for advice (& no I'm not here to spam or to annoy anyone). So I'm studying for getting a driver's license (well I'm trying to study at least), I've taken some practice quizzes on driving tests.org...& while I take the tests on that site I've also write down the questions on notebook paper to make my own study guide for driver's exam....so here's my problem.


I'm having a difficult time studying & having a hard time finding easy ways to study, I did get a driver's handbook from my grandfather back in November & today I downloaded the Driver's ED app from the app store on my ipad, but the thing is for some reason I feel like no matter what source material I use I might end up giving up (or maybe take a break at least to say) studying.


For anyone who doesn't understand...what I'm trying to comprehend is due to my autism I feel like I might fail a real driver's exam at the DMV & I might not be teachable, I'm an adult & I obviously need a drivers license for the rest of my life but I probably don't know how to concentrate & think positive for getting a drivers license. It's obvious that anyone who's autistic might've had trouble studying to get a drivers license too, so for anyone reading I need some advice on how to think positive & learn to focus on studying without negative thoughts in mind or without having to panic thinking I'll fail a three tests at the DMV. I need a drivers license so that way I can get a night shift job & not have someone else to drive for me (because I'm too old for that), but I don't know how to stay focused without being overwhelmed.


Thank you for reading & I'm sorry if this is ludicrous, I'm just at a loss (I think). Have a good day.

Everyone feels like they *might* fail a real test, in fact there's a genuine chance even a driving instructor might, real life traffic situations arise that could catch out anyone on a test. Thing is, there's no law preventing you trying again if you do, it's not even a big deal.

As for the theoretical parts, it's not hard study, nor is the standard required to pass that high, just look at the number of idiots out there who HAVE passed.

Basically, unless you have some sensory issues that cause you problems being in a car, learning to drive one and passing the test isn't significantly harder for an Aspie than it is for an NT.

Just stick at it, and no biggie if you fail, just carry on and try again.. you'd be amazed how many people NT or ND have to try more than once.. it's easier if you don't put *yourself* under too much pressure though, there's enough pressures from outside without adding extra.

We just did this topic thoroughly. If you want to see more answers in a hurry, look for Can Aspies Drive, AFAIR. Your perceived need is only half the story. You might be a hazard to yourself and others. The test may filter out some special cases that could drive well, but maybe only on their good days. It does not care if you learn from books, instruction, or observation. Can you ride a bike safely in traffic? That's all I needed when I lived in cities.

I understand road signs and already kind of know how to drive. I think the driver's test would be easy and could pass it easily. But for me. That's not what I'm worried about if I drove. I'm worried if I'm driving just fine just paying attention to the road than a car came out of nowhere and crash right in it. Or run over a person walking down the road because of me not paying attention. I'm usually not very good at paying attention to my surroundings. Don't know if it's an autistic thing or not. Only what's in front of me. Plus I'm pretty awful with split second decisions. Like a traffic jam happens. You know? That type.

There are people here who can drive and others who can't.
One guy I know here said he didn't get his licence until he was in his 30's and considered it a major accomplishment.
So nothing at all ludicrous about what you are saying.
I certainly can't operate a car in traffic safely. Bad spatial awareness, poor coordination and reflexes, I get lost easily etc.

That's cool. I see that your from Clarksville. What's that and what side of the state is it on? I live in Walnut Ridge. And I didn't see the friend request you sent me. But hey I think it's cool we're from the same state.[/quote]

Clarksville is a small town I live in (I originally lived in Lamar but moved out months ago & now I live in Clarksville). Do you have instagram or no? Because I could show you what my town looks like though pictures if you like.

I have a driver's license. I took classes at a place that specializes in training foreigners- some of whom have barely seen the outside of a car before. It was the right approach for me.

I just recently got my drivers licence.

Something I found helped me while I was learning was having music I enjoyed playing while I drove. It helped me to relax enough that I could properly focus on the road. Whenever someone allowed me to do this, I took advantage of it. Unfortunately, this was not an option with my actual driving instructor or on exam days.

I also found it easier to build confidence by driving around on back roads, rather than in neighborhoods or the main parts of towns where there is a lot more activity to keep track of.

It took me ten months of practice and three exams but I finally got my licence.

I wish you luck with getting yours.

The automakers' magazines have almost monthly articles worried about the decline in interest in driving in young people today. That may be why they are so hard at work on robot cars. If you don't drive, you can at least enjoy being avant-garde.

In theory, yes. In practice, it depends on how severely it affects you.

I'm positive that under the right circumstances I could easily pass my test and make a good driver, it's just that I've never yet encountered the right circumstances. I attempted "normal" driving lessons twice, once for a car and once for a moped, because I didn't think "special" lessons were relevant to me. I thought that everyone has to adhere to the same rules anyway so what's the point... however I soon found it very difficult being in a confined space with a stranger for long periods of time, and then with the moped lessons I'm almost entirely certain that they took my lack of conversation-making as "lack of confidence" and kept bringing me back in for lessons without ever being specific as to what I needed to do, before I eventually just quit in frustration because I was sick of going in there and let them keep the money. It had a real "boys club" atmosphere so I have a feeling that had something to do with it too. I ended up going in about six times because of this mysterious "lack of confidence" when it was originally supposed to be a one-day lesson.

If I tried again I'd probably have to go for those special lessons after all, if only to not throw away more money, because lessons are very expensive.