TAKING THE PRACTICAL TEST WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

If you have told the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of any conditions that may affect your ability to drive and they have issued you with a provisional driving licence you are within your rights to take a practical driving test and request changes to assist you.

Firstly the DSA (Driving Standards Agency) may grant you extra time, this will allow the examiner to talk to you regarding your disability and make any adaptations to your vehicle.

Should you require an interpreter due to hearing or language difficulties, you can bring someone along with you on test, as long as they are over 16 years of age.

If you have hearing difficulties but do not want to take somebody with you on test, the examiner can communicate with you by whatever means works best for you. They can use written notes, look at you in order for you to lip read and use hand signals to give driving directions.

Should you want to take your test whilst pregnant, there are no restrictions as to what stage during pregnancy you can take the test. You must however, be able and willing to do an emergency stop.

At the start of a test you will be required to read aloud the number plate of a vehicle parked 20.5 metres away. Should you have learning difficulties or English is not your first language you are allowed to write down the digits.

For any further information regarding taking a practical or a theory test please visit www.dsa.gov.uk

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