Autistic people angry at having to disclose diagnosis to DVLA even if driving not affected
The National Autistic Society (NAS) is challenging a decision by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to force autistic people to inform them of their diagnosis even if it does not affect their driving.
The surprise change in policy – which was not communicated to any autistic people, charities or medical professionals – emerged after a person with autism contacted the NAS and told them the DVLA website said drivers must disclose if they have an autistic spectrum disorder.
And yet you don’t have to inform the DVLA if you have dyspraxia which I think would result in poorer driving skills.
I mean, to be fair, many people with autism are not as high functioning as you are. I’ve met plenty of people with autism in programs when they thought I was autistic. Many of them simply would not be safe on the road. Hell, I wasn’t considered high functioning enough to be on the road. I am finally allowed to learn how to drive this summer, over 4 years later than many of my peers of the same age. As you know, ASD exists on a spectrum, hence the name “Autism Spectrum Disorder.” The DVLA has no way of knowing which people on the spectrum are safe on the road, so it’s better to monitor everyone who is possibly dangerous on the road. Now, the dyspraxia thing is not the ideal. The fact is that they should be required to report this to the DVLA, but just because they’re not doesn’t mean that people with autism shouldn’t have to report their diagnosis to them. I know it seems stupid and for the higher functioning people with ASD, it sucks, Though not perfect, it sounds to me like the DVLA is attempting to make the roads safer for everyone, and I’m sorry, but I can’t fault them for that.
Most people on the spectrum who are ‘low functioning’ wouldn’t even be able to think of driving. That leaves those who middle/high functioning. These people would be perfectly capable of saying if anything affected their driving without the need for all people on the spectrum to declare they are on the spectrum to the DVLA.
As for me I’ve never considered driving. Poor hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness means I’d be a danger on the road.
I disagree with having to disclose medical conditions for driving tests. The DMV/DVLA employees are not trained medical professionals, and may discriminate unfairly, even subconsciously, when they find out a person has a disability. This could result in a loss of independence, and becoming trapped in the medical system.
It should be up to each person’s doctor to revoke their license if they are incapable of driving. My doctor did this to me when I was 16, because I had a brain tumor that cause me to pass out randomly. He wrote a letter, and then my permit was suspended. A person’s doctor is trained, and knows their individual case. Therefore, they can make the judgment of whether that person can safely be allowed to drive. Other than that, it should be down to whether the person can pass the test.
I find it a strange one. I know there can be effects that go along with being autistic but if you’ve passed your test it suggests to me those effects weren’t that applicable to you.
It’s not the same as schizophrenia where you can be stabilised or in the midst of a psychotic episode that could hamper your ability to drive safely.