For teens and young adults on the autism spectrum, the decision to pursue a driver’s license is a milestone that other families might take for granted as a natural rite of passage for teenagers. We rely on transportation to get to work, to shop, to access healthcare and higher education services, and to participate in community and social events. When driving, there are no schedules to seek out, no waiting for the buses in the rain or cold, and no need to pay a lot of money for a cab or ride-sharing service. Driving can be the most efficient way to get around.

The decision whether or not to pursue a driver’s license is an important discussion for autistic individuals to have with their families and with their support team during the transition to adulthood. For those who are uninterested or unable to drive, other transportation options must be found to give them access to community activities, employment, and social relationships.

A recent study showed that one in three young adults on the autism spectrum earned a driver’s license, and did so on just a slightly delayed schedule (on average 9.2 months later) compared with their peers without ASD.

When determining whether driving is appropriate, be sure to discuss readiness to drive with your developmental pediatrician and autism support team. Consider that driving is much more than learning “the rules of the road” and being able to pass a licensing test. It entails social judgment; motor coordination; pre-planning; flexibility to change; the ability to focus, multi-task, prioritize, and control one’s anxiety and sensory sensitivities. ASD can affect decision-making, information processing and attention to varying degrees. On the other hand, an individual on the autism spectrum may have characteristics that promote safe driving behavior, such as a vigilance to follow driving laws.

For example, consider the nonverbal communication that frequently occurs when multiple vehicles meet at a four way stop sign. Drivers typically nod or motion to each other to communicate who is to go next as not everyone knows the rules related to order of entry into the intersection. Also, drivers must be aware that other drivers don’t always act as expected. For example, a turn signal doesn’t always mean the car is about to turn; it could mean the driver forgot to turn the signal off.

66.7% of individuals with ASD. 23.8% of ASD drivers, 10.5% of ADHD drivers, and 9.5% of TD drivers believe transportation proved as an obstacle. Discussion: The proportion of ASD drivers who believed transportation to be a barrier appeared slightly higher than other groups. Public transportation use may be low due to lower accessibility. Driving and ASD: Determining Readiness For teens and young adults on the autism spectrum, the decision to pursue a driver’s license is a milestone that other families might take for granted as a natural rite of passage for teenagers. Gentlemen Drivers. 358,945 likes 24,927 talking about this. Associazione con fini sportivi, culturali e sociali riservata ai piloti e ai proprietari di auto sportive di alto valore storico e. ASD provides a wide range of lighting equipment and electrical products for construction, housing and community services and industrial facilities. Only One-Third of Autistic Teens Have Drivers’ Licenses Sat, 4/28/2018 - 10:03 pm by Kirsten Rincon Drivers license laws in the U.S. Typically allow teens to obtain a learner’s permit by the age of 16 and an unrestricted license to drive by the time they turn 18. However, for teens who struggle with autism, it is not so simple.

Drivers must always be prepared for the unexpected, including rerouting (if a road is closed), speed limit or seat belt checkpoints, approaching emergency vehicles (with loud sirens and blinking lights), unsafe drivers, and breakdowns. All drivers must know how to respond if pulled over by the police, regardless of “guilt” or innocence and must know what to do and who to call if the car breaks down or runs out of gas or if they are involved in an accident. Driving also requires being responsible for the maintenance of the car, to some extent. Drivers need to make sure the car has enough gas, tires are properly inflated, and all parts (for example, turn signals) are functioning appropriately.

An important step for parents and caregivers of autistic teens who are considering driving is to schedule a doctor’s appointment to discuss any concerns, such as attention issues. It might also help to talk with your teen’s network of support professionals when assessing specific skills associated with driving.

The autism and driving research team at CHOP developed this list of questions they recommend discussing as a family and with your clinical and educational support team. You might also consider adding goals about driving to your individualized education plan (IEP).

If you need help in learning to drive (or teaching someone to drive) or assessing readiness to drive, seek the advice of an occupational therapist who specializes in driving or a certified rehabilitation specialist trained to work with individuals with special needs. Check with your local school district or intermediate unit for a list of names of professionals near you. Sometimes parents are equipped to teach their children, but parents may have their own anxieties concerning their children’s readiness and may not always be the best choice.

Your pediatrician can also help with these decisions. Indeed, in Pennsylvania, physicians and other professionals who diagnose and/or treat individuals with disabilities and medical disorders are required to report to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation the names of patients ages 15 and older who have conditions that could impair their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Other states have different strategies for identifying and assessing drivers with impairments.

Though states set an age when individuals can obtain a driver’s license, there is no magic age when one is “ready” to drive. Maybe now is the right time, maybe in a few years the time will be right. It is important to make a decision that is right for you and your family.

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Last Updated: May 29, 2020

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A driver's education course teaches the principles of road awareness and safety for prospective first-time drivers.

In Minnesota, if you're under 18 years old, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) requires you to complete Driver's Ed as part of the graduated driver's licensing (GDL) law.

On this page, you'll find information on what your Driver's Ed course consists of, where to complete your course, and the next steps you need to take to get your MN driver's license.

MN Driver's Ed Eligibility Requirements

Before you can apply for your MN learner's permit, you must:

• You must be15 years old
• Have completed theclassroom component of a MN Driver's Ed course.
• Be enrolled in the behind-the-wheelinstruction component.

You must be enrolled in your behind-the-wheel driving component of the course before you can apply for your instruction permit; however, you cannot begin this segment until you obtain your permit.

About Your Minnesota Driver's Ed Course

Your Minnesota driver's education course will cover topics including:

• Minnesota road signs and what they mean.
• How to be a safe and responsible driver.
• How to safely operate a motor vehicle.
• MN traffic laws.
• Driving in emergency situations, through constructions zones, and over railroad crossings.

Classroom and Behind-the-Wheel Hours

A Minnesota Driver's Ed course consists of:

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• 30 hours of classroom instruction.
• 6 hours of behind-the-wheel driving training.

The classroom instruction must be completed before you get your MN learner's permit. The behind-the-wheel training cannot be taken until you obtain your learner's permit.

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Types of Driver's Ed Courses

In Minnesota, you can take driver's education at:

• A public or private school.
• A licensed driver training school.
• At home, if you're home-schooled.

NOTE: The MN DPS currently does not accept online Driver's Ed.

Home School Driver's Ed

If you are home-schooled, the Minnesota DPS allows your parent to teach you the classroom segment of teen driver's education. You must use classroom materials approved by the MN DPS.

Once you complete your 30 hours of home school driver's education, your parent must submit a completed Home School Driver's Education Affidavit (Form PS33135) to the Office of Driver Education by fax to (651) 296-5316 or by mail to:

Driver and Vehicle Services
445 Minnesota St, Suite 176
St Paul, MN 55101

Once the office receives your affidavit, you'll be sent a Certificate of Completion, or “blue card', which you'll need to show the MN DPS when you apply for your instruction permit and take your written test.

An ideal compliment to your Driver's Ed course is to prepare for the written exam with a Minnesota online practice test. Don't waste time standing in long lines at the DPS. Study with a Minnesota online practice test and pass your written exam on your first try.

MN Parent Awareness Class

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Driver's education providers also offer a parent awareness class. If your parent or guardian takes this class then your practice driving hours are reduced from 50 hours to 40 hours. The class is 90 minutes long.

After Driver's Ed – What's Next?

After completing the classroom component of your MN driver's education course, you can apply for your instruction permit. You must:

• Be at least 15 years old.
• Be enrolled in the behind-the-wheel component of a Driver's Ed course.
• Pass a vision test.
• Pass a written knowledge test.

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For more information on how to apply for your Minnesota learner's permit, including required documents and fees, visit our Drivers Permits in Minnesota page.

Once you've obtained your instruction permit, you can begin your behind-the-wheel component of your Driver's Ed.

You can apply for your MN provisional driver's license once you:

• Complete the behind-the-wheel training of your Minnesota Driver's Ed course.
• Turn 16 years old.
• Have held your learner's permit for at least 6 months (conviction-free).
• Pass your road test.

To learn how to apply for your MN driver's license, see our Applying for a New License (Teen Drivers) in Minnesota page.

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