I was reading the FAQ page on the NVLD project website recently. One of the questions was from parents asking for advice about how to help their child who is struggling to pass his road test. Reading this question and the answer below made me think of my experience as a 16-year-old learning how to drive with the visual/spatial challenges NVLD can bring. I also thought of the “driving rules” I have for myself because of NVLD-related challenges. I say “driving rules” because said rules have helped me progress in my supportive driving school, pass my road test on the first try, and drive safely with no wrecks to date. I have other considerations I keep in mind when I drive and have discovered other strategies over the years that I will also share.
Let’s start with my “driving rules.” My driving rules are additional rules I follow in addition to the rules of the road. Said “rules” have helped me with more challenging visual/spatial aspects of driving, such as passing lanes and even putting on the turn signal at the right time. Therefore, enabling me to drive safely and not cause an accident.
1. Use the Telephone poles to help signal at the right time
When I was in driving school, my ability to signal at the right time (100 feet before the turn, 500 feet if on a highway per laws in my state) was so inconsistent that my driving instructor was puzzled and kind of frustrated. I was signaling either way too early or too late, all because I couldn’t tell what was 100 feet and what wasn’t.
This trick was wisdom passed down to me from a bus driver I had at the time. I was talking to him on the bus ride home one day, and I asked him how he knew when to put his lights on because I couldn’t get it right in driving school.
He told me that he had to put his lights on at least 100 feet before the stop and that in bus driver school, they taught how to use the telephone poles to judge the distance. He explained that telephone poles are usually 100 feet away from each other (with some exceptions) and demonstrated this when approaching my stop. He then put his flashing lights on at the last telephone pole before my stop. I thanked him and made sure to try the trick during my next driving lesson.
Long story short, the driving lesson went very well, and the instructor asked what my secret was since I improved so quickly. I explained the trick to him, and to my surprise, he said he hadn’t heard of that trick before and would be stealing it. I used this trick on my road test, too, and even the road test examiner was intrigued by my driving instructor telling him about it. I still use this trick to this day, and it has never failed me! For highways, I use the green exit signs right before the exits to help me judge 500 feet, which has also worked well.
2. When passing on the highways, I don’t slide back over unless the car I pass is completely in my rearview mirror.
When I pass cars on the highway, I have to memorize the cars in front of me before passing. I do not slide back over until the car can be fully seen in my rear-view mirror (the one inside my car, not the side ones on the doors). What I mean by fully seeing is that I can see the entire hood and at least half of the front bumper before sliding back over. This helps me determine if I am truly in the clear behind me after checking my blindspots because otherwise, I am not 100% certain. This trick does take another few seconds due to checking both the blindspots and the rearview mirror, but those behind you will live, so ignore the tailgaters, angry horns, and occasional unfriendly gestures.
3. Only owning and driving cars, I can comfortably perceive (and taking extreme caution if I cannot)
When I am shopping for a car, I not only look at the cost, the condition, and the history of the car, but I also test drive it to make sure I can safely operate it. That means I ask myself whether I can sense or perceive where the bumpers are and whether or not I can see the blind spots when I check them. Checking your blindspots is important, so if you turn to check them and see nothing but plastic or you can’t get a view that is good enough for you to sense how close another car is, it may not be the best car to drive, so drive with extra caution. I have to be selective of the cars I drive for this exact reason. If I cannot perceive or adequately check the blindspots (with or without my driving rules and other features in the car) during the test drive I eliminate it, even if I otherwise don’t want to.
Whether I am test-driving a potential car or borrowing one when mine is in the shop, if I’m not 100% sure it is safe for me, I drive with extra caution. This means I avoid more challenging driving tasks such as switching lanes on a busy street or highway, parallel parking, etc., and staying in familiar places. That way, I can adhere to my self-imposed restrictions, even if it means driving behind a slow person and giving myself more time to reach my destination.
I have found that the cars that work for me are generally small to mid-size (I can handle larger vehicles with extra practice and caution) and have a fair amount of windows (to check blind spots and other cars). Since I am not considered tall, seats that adjust in various directions also help me find the sweet spot for pedal control, visibility, and safety, even in bigger vehicles like my dad’s truck. Some examples of cars I have had success with include station wagons with lots of windows (like a Saab wagon or a Subaru Outback), a Toyota Corolla and Camry, and a Honda H-RV.
Other Considerations and Advice
When pulling into a parking space against a wall, the brighter your lights on the wall, the closer you are. I have found this to be fairly accurate when parking forwards and backward. Backup cameras, if you have one, can also be helpful
Backup cameras can help, but they can also be difficult to perceive depending on how they are programmed and whether you are on flat land or a hill.
Don’t be afraid to “inch out” when pulling in or out of a parking space or entering a road. When I enter a road (especially if I have to cross lanes of traffic going the opposite direction), I inch out; it helps me judge the distance better.
When entering a road by crossing lanes of traffic going the opposite way, go when you think it is clear, even if it takes longer or a larger gap. Ignore the impatient honkers; it isn’t worth crashing.
Sometimes, backing into a spot is easier than going forward (strange, I know). I didn’t think backward would ever be easier, but now in my mid-20s, I sometimes back in if I can’t sense where the front of my car is. People have looked at me funny, but I ignore them since safety is more important. Period.
Practicing on backroads or in rural areas can help you develop new skills and confidence since fewer cars are around.
Consider taking your road test in a less populous area. I remember people coming to my semi-rural area to take road tests because they had difficulties passing in the cities.
Learning to drive is hard for everyone, and NVLD on top can make driving feel impossible. Believe me, I know since I wanted to quit so many times because I thought I could never learn or be good enough to get my license. However, know that your frustration is valid, and while feeling your frustration, I hope you can find a driving school, driving instructors, and others to support you and find success. The right combination of people, driving school, and strategies can make a difference and help you go from “I can’t drive for anything” to “I am a safe and licensed driver.”
Erin
Erin has Nonverbal Learning Disability (NVLD) and Dyscalculia and is building a career as a disability services professional. Through her work, she hopes to empower others with disabilities and make positive changes in society. In her free time, Erin enjoys reading and writing for leisure, LD advocacy, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family.
