Disability and driving lessons

Get on the road with BSM

Driving lessons for all

We believe learning to drive should be made available to as many people as possible. Lots of people with physical disabilities, special educational requirements or hearing difficulties have a driving licence. Indeed, being able to drive is a key part of many people’s freedom and independence.

Here at BSM, we help people with disabilities get behind the wheel comfortably and affordably. We have specialist disability-trained driving instructors to help customise lessons to your exact requirements. And you’ll be able to drive a car adapted to suit you.

We also ensure that you get the same instructor for all of your lessons, so you can feel more at home. Plus we can provide a range of smartphone apps, CD ROMs and theory books to give you the best chance of passing your test.

Feel free to get in touch, and we can discuss exactly what you need to get you started.

We’ve teamed up with Motability

We’re proud to be partners with Motability, the national charity dedicated to enhancing people’s mobility. The Motability Scheme can help provide people with powered wheelchairs, scooters for everyday mobility… And also adapted cars and wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) to get you on the road.
You can find out more about Motability here including what exactly the scheme provides, who’s eligible, and what BSM can provide to Motability customers. This includes a potential grant for 40 hours of tuition, and affordable adapted vehicles through the government-funded mobility allowance.

Which conditions is it possible to drive with?

It’s possible to drive with a whole range of conditions, provided you get the green light from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) first, or Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland.

For example, you may be able to drive with an amputation, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis or restricted growth. You may also be able to learn while recovering from a brain injury or stroke. To find out more about driving with particular conditions, the Research Institute for Disabled Consumers is a very useful resource.

How do I apply for a licence with a disability?

When applying for a provisional licence with the DVLA or DVA, you need to inform them of any ‘notifiable’ disabilities or conditions. It’s important to be honest here, and make a full declaration. Please don’t be worried about not being granted a licence - the DVLA and DVA process a lot of applications from budding drivers with notifiable conditions, and you will be dealt with fairly.

If you already have a licence and your condition worsens, you should notify DVLA or DVA immediately. They will decide whether or not this affects the status of your licence.

To find out if you need to declare your condition, you can check notifiable conditions with the DVLA here.

What car will I be able to drive?

The car you learn to drive in can be adjusted to suit your needs. If you have a physical disability, it’s likely you’ll be learning to drive in an automatic car. Manual cars require more physical effort to control. Automatics, on the other hand, are both easier to control and less likely to induce fatigue.

Can I get a Blue Badge and park more accessibly?

If you have a registered disability, then yes - you’ll be able to use the Blue Badge scheme. You can apply for a Blue Badge here, which means you can use more accessible parking. Where exactly you can park varies from council to council, but it generally means you have better access to street parking which is restricted for other drivers. Be sure to display the Blue Badge clearly in your windscreen when you do this, to save yourself getting a ticket.

You can also use disabled parking bays in car parks, such as in supermarkets. Technically you don’t need a Blue Badge to do this, although it’s always worth displaying it when you park.

Disabled driving lessons near me

Wherever you are in the UK, you shouldn’t be too far from our network of expert instructors. Popular locations include Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Nottingham and Sheffield.