Learning to Drive with PTSD
There are some instances where although there are no physical injuries, and experience such as a previous car accident can result in severe emotional trauma. The resulting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may last for many years, and have a significant impact on someone’s life.
Doing something they once enjoyed, such as driving a car, may seem no longer possible. And this may lead to significant changes to personal and family life; such as how to get to and from work, the ability to ferry children around, social life and more.
Driving with PTSD
Whilst PTSD doesn’t necessarily damage a person’s physical ability to drive, it can create a mental state in which they have a significant fear driving.
With PTSD, the thought of a past accident and the idea of being involved in another accident may mean that moment a person get behind the wheel of a vehicle they run the risk of reliving their previous trauma.
Do you have to declare PTSD to the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency)?
It is important to inform the DVSA if you have any medical condition that affects your driving. Failure to do this may mean that you are liable to a fine, or even prosecution, if you are involved in a driving accident which is a result of your condition.
It’s recommended that you speak to your GP to discuss guidelines about driving with PTSD, as well as to ask them any other questions about learning to driving safely with PTSD.
Learning to Drive with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Having said all of the above, returning to driving with PTSD after an accident, or initially learning to drive with PTSD, is certainly possible. Lin Webb of 1nfluence Driver Training, who has experienced anxiety, lack of confidence and PTSD herself during the last 30 years, is a highly skilled driving instructor for people who are learning to drive with PTSD. Single lessons are available from £58 per hour.
For more information, return to the page about Drivers with SEN and Learning Differences, or you can discover more about driving lessons for nervous drivers or drivers with high anxiety.
Want to know more? Get in touch with Lin at 1nfluence Driver Training on 07780 708 706 or email for a chat.
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Testimonial - Fiona Frapwell
Following a move to a more rural location, it was time for me to bite the bullet and learn to drive. I'd had lessons previously and got as far as sitting a test, but that was nearly forty years ago! I didn't just feel rusty when it came to what I knew about driving; it was so far in the past, it was like it had never happened! To say I was nervous about picking it up again was a massive understatement and just the thought of driving made me feel sick with nerves.
Luckily a friend had recommended Lin to me and she immediately put me at my ease from our very first email conversation. Lin has a real knack for making you feel comfortable in lessons whilst challenging you at just the right level. I would finish lessons amazed at what I'd achieved. Lin helped me to focus on the difference that being able to drive would make to me and to my family and keeping that goal in mind really kept me going through the whole process.
If anyone had told me in January this year when I had my first lesson that I'd have passed my test by November, I just wouldn't have believed them. Thankfully, Lin believed in me all the way and I'm eternally grateful to her for that.
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A very well deserved test result for Sally Harper in Sevenoaks today. What a lovely drive!! I'm so proud of you overcoming chronic anxiety to make this possible. Looking forward to meeting up with you after Christmas and hearing of all the places you have managed to get to with Cora. Congratulations..... enjoy your licence xx
#DriveCalm #coaching #relaxation #breathingexercises #breathingtechniques #selftalk #deaf #deafawareness #driving #drivinglessons #drivingtest #ADHD #anxiety #anxietysupport #ASD #confidence #deaf #dyslexia #dyspraxia #eastgrinstead #edenbridge #hurstgreen #neurodiversity #oxted #redhill #sevenoaks #theorytest #tunbridgewells #westerham
Did you know our Driving Mobility Centres offer an assessment to help older drivers update their skills or help with lost confidence.
As vehicles become more sophisticated and roads busier, the need for updating driving skills as we get older becomes more important and there is a clear need to help people maintain safe driving.
It can be particularly useful to have an assessment before applying to renew your licence as the report can be used to advise DVLA as to how safe you are when driving.
Our aim is to help older drivers continue driving safely for as long as they can.
👉 Read more about the assessment here: www.drivingmobility.org.uk/assessments/older-drivers-retirement-from-driving/
Find your local Driving Mobility centre here: www.drivingmobility.org.uk/find-a-centre/
#MyDrivingMobility #OlderDrivers #DrivingAssessments #DrivingSafety #DrivingSafely
A sensational result for Savannah Walton today, passing her driving test in Tunbridge Wells in some style! Savannah overcame many difficulties (Dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, ASD, neuralgia, chronic anxiety, a mix of sensory issues and chronic fatigue ) and using many planned strategies to make today the success it was. A truly life changing event for her...... I can't wait to hear about her drives in the coming weeks!
Congratulations Savannah!🚗💨
#DriveCalm #coaching #relaxation #breathingexercises #breathingtechniques #selftalk #deaf #deafawareness #driving #drivinglessons #drivingtest #ADHD #anxiety #anxietysupport #ASD #confidence #deaf #dyslexia #dyspraxia #eastgrinstead #edenbridge #hurstgreen #neurodiversity #oxted #redhill #sevenoaks #theorytest #tunbridgewells #westerham
Member of the Motor Schools Association
IAM Roadsmart Advanced Driver - Aiming to improve driving standards
Member of online site preparing drivers for the UK Driver Theory Test
Member of the Confident Drivers website - Offering additional support for nervous & anxious drivers
Driving Standards Agency
Fully Qualified & Approved Driving Instructor
ROSPA Advanced Driver - Encouraging an interest in road safety, standards and skills
