BEING deaf or hard of hearing does not automatically disqualify you from being able to drive.
It is legal for deaf people to drive in Britain, although, there are some exceptions and requirements that need to be met. Read on to find out more.
Can you drive if you are deaf?
The short answer is - yes. You can legally drive in the United Kingdom if you are deaf.
Many assume that deaf people can't drive, but there are no restrictions to driving a car or motorbike.
In fact, hearing experts HearingDirect.com say: 'Contrary to belief, research has shown that the deaf and hard of hearing do not cause more traffic accidents than drivers with regular hearing.
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'People with hearing impairments are much more vigilant and rely more on their visual observations - they stay alert for all kinds flashing and emergency signals or vibrations much more than the regular driver.'
Do I need to need to tell the DVLA that I am deaf?
Being deaf is not something that you have to declare to the DVLA if you do not wish.
You can operate a car or a motorbike without telling the DVLA.
If you want to drive something bigger, like a bus, coach or a lorry (with the correct licence), then you must fill in a form before you do so.
The form is called the AUD1 and you'll need to print it off, fill it in and send it to the DVLA.
Can driving instructors use sign language?
Yes, trained driving instructors can use sign language when helping people learn to drive.
Not every driving instructor knows sign language, so as a deaf learner, you will have to find one that does if that is what you need.
Some firms even make sure all of their instructors know sign language as a standard requirement.
Test conductors may not know sign language either, so if you require it, you need to declare it when you are ready to take your driving test.