Applying for a licence - Driving and Car Adaptions

Sep 18, 2026

Upload by Mimi

A practical guide to applying for a driving licence, focusing on when and how young people can begin learning, based on age and eligibility factors such as PIP mobility. It explains the role of provisional licences, the difference between assessments with or without a provisional licence, and how adaptations may be funded. The guide also covers types of car adaptations, why modern vehicles can reduce the need for them, choosing driving instructors, what happens when you pass your test, and where to find support and local contacts.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Applying for a licence

Adaptations

Driving instructors

Useful contacts

ReachWhere anything's possible Learning to Drive &Getting on the Road # Applying for a licence Learning to drive is a rite of passage for many teenagersand important for our social and working lives. We can help you through the maze that islearning to drive! ·Apply for your provisional license good and early.Theyoungest age is 15years and 9 months. ·You can start learning to drive at 17,or if you get thehigher rate(the mobility component)of PIP,Click hereforguidance about PIPyou can start learning at 16 andmight be entitled to a lease car through the Motabilityscheme.Click here to checkyour eligibility. It can take a few months to receiveyour licence and for the adaptationsthat are right for you to be completedon a car. Helping children with upper limb diferences live life without limits # Applying for a licence ·Ticking the box does not mean you have to drive withadaptations and a provisional licence will not specifythis,it is to help you have the opportunity to work outhow to drive with your instructor and driving assessorsso do not be concerned. ● Driving mobility centres,drivingmobility.org.uk,chargeabout E80 for an assessment {2020}but if you arereferred for an assessment by ahealth professionalsuch as a GP,Occupational Therapist,Physiotherapistor Orthotist,then there may not be a charge. ·If you have a provisional license by your assessmentdate,you might get to drive a demo car and try outadaptations which will help with working out what isbest for you. ·Without a provisional license your assessment will be totry out the adaptations that might suit you,but youcannot drive on the road. Helping children with upper limb diferences live life without limits # Adaptions Modern cars have simplified the need for adaptations,automatic gearboxes,lights and wipers,on/off buttonignition,parking breaks all make adaptations less likely.Think carefully about buying a more up to date model asthis could save you money and heartache in the long run. Many adaptions are simple and inexpensive. Steering ball Easy release handbrake Seat belt extender Helping children with upper limb diferences live life without limits Other adaptions might need to be higher tech and sobecome more expensive to fit and move to use in anothercar. For further information and options of wireless keypadcontrols visit-Lodgesons Steering ball with Bluetooth keypad Lollipop Having an assessment is really helpful as there are so manypossibilities that can be tailored to your specific needs.If you go directly to a motability dealer before an assessment you could end up spending way more than youneeded to. Your driving assessors can save you time and money! Helping children with upper limb diferences live life without limits Assessment An assessment will take around an hour and you will meeteither a driving instructor or an occupational therapist,orboth if you are very lucky! The report from your assessment can be used as evidencewhen applying for a Reach bursary,This funding is formembers up to the age of 25,and have helped many withthe cost of adaptations over the years. Tom's automatic car was fitted witha steering ball with keypad,partlyfunded by Reach. Elizabeth's lollipop control waspartly funded by a bursary "Thank you Reach in supporting my further independence!" Helping children with upper limb diferences live life without limits # Driving Instructors Finding a driving instructor who has your specificadaptations can be tricky,click here for more adviceand information. Both the Disability driving instructorswebsite and your driving mobility assessor should be able help you with finding an experienced instructor who has either an adapted car orwho is willing to teach in your vehicle. When you pass your test,you will be coded withthe adaptations you used during your driving test. ·In the future should you wish to drive without theseadaptations,you will need to retake the full test,whi

FAQs

What is the key purpose of a provisional licence when applying to learn to drive with adaptations?

A provisional licence is meant to give you the opportunity to work out how to drive with your instructor and driving assessors. Ticking the box for adaptations does not mean you must drive with them.

When can someone start learning to drive, and how does PIP mobility affect the age?

You can start learning at 17, or at 16 if you get the higher rate (mobility component) of PIP and may be entitled to a lease car through the Motability scheme.

What happens during a driving assessment, and do you need a provisional licence?

An assessment takes around an hour and you meet a driving instructor or an occupational therapist (or both). With a provisional licence you may be able to drive a demo car and try adaptations; without one, the assessment is trying adaptations, but you cannot drive on the road.

How are adaptations handled after you pass your driving test?

When you pass your test, you will be coded with the adaptations used during your driving test. If you want to drive without those adaptations later, you would need to retake the full test, and driving without specified adaptations is illegal and would be uninsured.

Sep 18, 2026

Upload by Mimi