Special Needs Driving School

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Did you know that one in five children in the United States has learning and attention-based issues? From autism and dyslexia to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the range of learning disabilities is wide and varied. When your child comes of age to get their learner’s permit, finding a special needs driving school may be hard to find.

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In school, children often have access to services that can help them develop important skills. However, many of these resources are only designed to last through elementary grades.

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Once it's time for bigger milestones, like learning to drive, concerned family members might not know where to turn. Thankfully, there are programs like ours that are designed to help.

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Read on to learn more about our private driving lessons and how they can help adults of all abilities thrive behind the wheel.

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Learning Disorders and Licenses

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Some might wonder if teenagers and adults with special needs can drive at all. In many cases, the answer is a resounding, "Yes!"

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In fact, research shows that two-thirds of higher-functioning autistic adolescents aged 15-to-18-years-old are currently driving or plan to drive in the future. Moreover, one in three autistic adolescents without an intellectual disability will be licensed by their 21st birthday.

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The key is understanding your loved one's condition and knowing the characteristics that can help or hinder their abilities on the road. For instance, someone with ADHD or autism spectrum disorder might be completely competent behind the wheel. Other times, they may exhibit tendencies that can lead to unsafe driving behaviors requiring learning disability driving lessons.

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Are You Ready for Driver's Education?

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Are you an adult living with a learning disability? Or a parent looking for a special needs driving instructor for your child? If so, you are in good hands.

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Before enrolling in a special needs driving school or driver's education course, it's wise to assess you or your child’s disorder and how it can affect day-to-day life.

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Consider completing this exercise with a trusted loved one. Let's take a look at if you’re ready for Driver’s Ed.

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Judgment and Decision-Making

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Defensive driving sometimes requires spur-of-the-moment decision making and the ability to judge a situation accurately is important.

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Do you believe your judgment is sound and mature?
Are you able to make wise decisions at school (or work), around your peers, and at home?

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Aptitude Behind the Wheel

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Do you have basic knowledge of the rules of the road?
Have you taken any driver education course in the past or ever gotten behind the wheel?

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If not, that's not a deal-breaker! You just might need a special needs driving instructor to get up to speed. To make the process easier and more effective, try to find a skilled adult to practice with before driving independently. As a passenger, notice road signs and various precautions the driver makes to start learning key rules of the road.

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Medical/Behavioral Conditions

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Do you have a learning disability? How severe is it?
Do you have a medical disability or behavioral condition, such as seizures, that affects your physical movements?

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It's important to know your risks as a driver, including any medical interventions that you might require to drive defensively.

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Learning to Drive With Private Driving Lessons

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If you have a learning disability, keeping up with group-based, in-classroom instruction can be overwhelming. The same goes for online courses, which require you to maintain a set pace and use technology to complete your portion.

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That's where our one-on-one, private driving lessons come in.

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Our 1-1 service packages are geared specifically toward helping drivers learn the skills and steps they need to obtain their license.

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Let's take a look at a few of the benefits you can expect when you choose Colonial Driving School driver training programs.

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Flexible Instruction Times

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At Colonial Driving School, we have dedicated, knowledgeable instructors available to teach both days and evenings. We can meet in-person at any time during the week, as well as on the weekends.

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Regardless of how busy your schedule is, we'll find a way to fit into it. Get the training you need when it works best for you. Bonus: If you can't come to us, we'll come to you!

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We offer convenient pick-up/drop-off service for only $10 per lesson (within five miles). If you live a little further away, it's only $2 per mile, per lesson.

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Unbiased, Considerate Instructors

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Our instructors are trained to help all student drivers become the safest, most defensive driver they can be. We look at your capabilities and learning potential, not your age or special need.

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Your private instructor will personally tutor you, teaching you everything you need to know to pass the DMV Road Test. We'll take you on the exact routes that the DMV uses so you know what to expect. We'll also spend extra time on those tricky parts that are easy to miss. Learn how to avoid automatic fails on driving test for Virginia to get your license faster.

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Support You Can Count On

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We won't just teach you how to drive and leave you to figure out the rest. Rather, our instructors are committed to seeing you through every single step of the process.

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We'll work with you in your private lessons as long as required, until you feel comfortable and we're certain that you're ready. Then, when the day comes to apply for your license, we'll even come with you to the DMV.

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This way, you can take your all-important VA Road Skills Test in the exact same car you've been using with us. No surprises to throw you off or confusing mechanisms to learn on the spot.

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In fact, if you'd feel more comfortable taking your test somewhere other than the DMV, we can help with that, too. Our Adult Driver Education Course includes every step you need to get your license, including the DMV Road Test.

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Driving School for Learning Disabilities

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Our mission at Colonial Driving School is to make sure every student leaves our courses knowing how to be a more alert, defensive and an all-around safer driver.

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If you have a learning disability, you don't have to put your dreams of learning how to drive on hold. As long as you, your loved ones, and your healthcare provider or therapist agree that this is the right next step, we'd love to be part of your journey.

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