Whether your child becomes a licensed driver depends on factors that are included in the assessment of all drivers. Drivers who are disabled have learned successful strategies and may use adaptive devices to safely navigate the roads. The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists describes four areas of assessment for potential drivers.

The Rules of the Road

The ability to understand and follow the rules of the road is one factor in assessing potential drivers. Difficulty understanding the rules and following them may result from cognitive delay, memory difficulty, or trouble processing information about the situation at hand.

Visual Acuity

In order to drive, an individual must have sufficient ability to see the driving environment and controls of the motor vehicle. She must have the perception needed to identify other vehicles, pedestrians, and objects in the driving range. In some cases, visual acuity can be corrected with glasses or adapted mirrors in the car.

Attention to the Road

Some potential drivers may understand the rules of the road, but may have significant attention difficulties that impact reaction time. A would-be driver who is easily distracted by the events around her becomes a hazard to herself and others on the road.

Some individuals with ADHD or ADD have such extreme difficulties maintaining attention that they may not be good candidates for driving. Others are able to maintain sufficient focus through medication or learned strategies.

Some individuals with cerebral palsy also have difficulty maintaining sufficient focus to drive. In addition, the physical limitations of cerebral palsy (and those of spina bifida) can impact use of the legs. Hand controls for gas and brakes and a “spin knob” on the steering wheel may be used to better manage the car.

Reaction to Driving Situations

Disabilities that involve vision, physical movement, comprehension, or information processing can impact the driver's reaction to potentially dangerous situations. If the would-be driver cannot demonstrate reasonable reaction time, she will not be issued a driver's license.