Learning to drive

There is a lot of information that you need to digest when learning to drive, and it can sometimes take learner drivers with dyslexia a bit longer to get the hang of it all.

Here are some of the particular challenges that learner drivers with dyslexia may face:

• Lowered concentration and focus
• Finding road signs confusing
• Difficulty chatting with a passenger
• Short-term memory difficulties
• Directional difficulties (instructions to turn left or right)
• A slower processing-speed
• Following multiple instructions at once

Strategies to discuss with your driving instructor 

• If you find directions like ‘left and right’ confusing, then ask your instructor to say ‘Your side / My side’ instead
   
• Explain that you do better learning one concept at a time, rather than several
   
• If you don’t find your driving instructor is catering to your learning style, don’t be afraid to find another one
   
• If you find road signs confusing, it may be useful to study for and take your theory test while you are having driving lessons
   
• If you find it difficult to concentrate and focus, ask to take breaks. So, if your lesson is an hour long, you could drive for 3 sessions of 15 minutes and have 3 x 5 minute breaks in between
   
• Let your instructor know if you find judging distances and spaces difficult so that they can give you more time and space when asking you to brake or manoeuvre
   
• Ask your instructor to draw concepts for you rather than explaining them verbally. Equally, you could take a pad and paper to your lessons and illustrate any difficult concepts yourself

If you are dyslexic, you are entitled to extra allowances during your theory and practical tests.