Getting Your Licence:
- You must declare your ADHD diagnosis to the Driver & Vehicle Agency when applying for a provisional licence.
- Failure to declare ADHD could result in a fine or invalidation of your insurance.
- You may need a medical assessment to confirm your fitness to drive.
Medication & Driving:
• If you take medication for ADHD, ensure you take it as prescribed before driving to help with focus and reaction time. ADHD medication taken correctly has been shown to reduce the risk of road traffic accidents by up to 42% (Zheng Chang et al; 2017; Association between Medication Use for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Risk of Motor Vehicle Crashes)
• Time your medication to help with concentration when driving – e.g. if on short acting preparations and you know you will be driving late at night then take it a little later so that you are covered.
Avoid driving if:
• You feel drowsy or your medication is wearing off.
• You are experiencing side effects that could affect concentration or reaction times.
Always check with your doctor if you are unsure about how your medication affects driving.
Safe Driving Tips:
• Minimise distractions – keep music volume low and do not use your phone. Consider how your passengers may also be distracting you.
• Plan your route in advance to reduce stress.
• Consider extra driving lessons with an ADHD-aware instructor.
• Take regular breaks on long journeys.
More information: