Driving with a Disability by Graham Tomlin

I have a Facioscapulohumeral (FSH) Muscular Dystrophy. It is one of the more benign forms of muscular dystrophy but still results in serious restrictions to my range of movement, particularly in the upper body.

I also have severe, bilateral foot drop; a secondary, but not universal, consequence of having FSH. To control this disability, I wear SAFOs (silicone ankle foot orthosis): they are silicone, hand-made ‘socks’ that precisely wrap around my feet. They provide more flexibility than the more common, rigid AFOs. In my opinion, the former is ‘modern’ and the latter ‘medieval’ but my coloured viewpoint is based on the fact that SAFOs suit my personal circumstances and the current progression of my FSH.

I have been driving a car for over 50 years. My latest car is an automatic with no adaptations other than a scooter hoist. I was 70 just after Christmas and the DVLA warned me that my current Driving Licence would have to be renewed every 3 or so years. Since I knew that the progression of my FSH (and subsequent foot drop) would have to be flagged to the DVLA as a possible impediment to driving a car, I contacted the North West Driving Assessment Service in Haydock near St Helens. They are part of the NHS and assess whether a person is fit to drive a car. The assessment includes a full driving test. The fee is £50. I had previously used their services when I was first definitively diagnosed with FSH in about the Year 2000. At that time, The North West Driving Assessment Service recommended that my next car should be an automatic. I sent a copy of their report to the DVLA. Declarations of disability should always be reported to the DVLA as and when they happen or when they are diagnosed.

I attended my appointment in November 2015. The process took 2 hours and was split into 2 parts: one inside the Centre, and one outside on the road. At all times, an Occupational Therapist and a Driving Test Examiner were present. They were very friendly and understanding, realising why the ability to drive a car is so important in a modern world and for the independence it gives to a person with a disability.

Inside the Centre, the OT specialist asked questions about my disability. He did strength tests on the parts of the body that are used to drive a car. The tests are similar to the ones done in the NMC where you have to push or pull against resistance. He also made notes about neck movements. I was asked to stand on a line and read a standard Eye Examination chart pinned on a wall. I was taken to another room. There was a rig of the front end of a car complete with steering wheel, seats and foot controls attached to a computer. The accelerator pedal was connected to a speaker that mimicked the noise of driving a car. The purpose of the test was to measure the time of the transfer of my foot from the accelerator to the brake pedal. The OT specialist set off the alarm while the Driving Test Examiner observed whether my foot struck the brake pedal correctly. The time astonished me, they said that my reaction time was above average. The next test involved a metal frame mounted in front of the ‘car’ where there was a matrix of about 10-12 lights. I had to transfer my foot from the accelerator to the brake pedal - like before - but this time whenever a light came on. This lasted several minutes with many repeated foot movements. The repetitions are designed for endurance: times usually deteriorate the longer the test lasts. My reaction times actually improved. I put this down to the exercise sessions that I attend at the NMC, especially on a Concept Rower!
The ‘outside’ part of the assessment consisted of a full driving test beginning with reading a number plate at the appropriate distance. They had a full range of test cars available including, to my surprise, an automatic Ford B-Max (my own car). The usual components of a driving test were all there, including an emergency stop, reversing into a side road and a hill start. The only difference was that, not only did I have a Test Examiner sitting next to me, but I had the OT specialist sitting in the back
seat watching every movement I made. I drove through the outskirts and centre of St. Helens, confronted with every aspect of modern driving. I even had an unplanned emergency stop when confronted by a careless, juggernaut lorry, something they complimented me on. The Driving Test lasted over 1 hour. I enjoyed every minute of it.

On returning to the Centre, and after a very brief discussion between themselves, they said I was ‘fine’. They sent me 3 copies of their report about 2 weeks later. One copy was for my Doctor. I attached the main copy to my application to the DVLA and shortly after received my photo driving licence (automatic cars only). The DVLA have given me another 3 years. This will give me time to approach the North West Driving Assessment Service to investigate the possibility of hand controls, another service that they provide.

Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Trust, The North West Driving Assessment Service, Fleet House, Pye Close, Haydock, St. Helens, WA11 9SJ. Tel: 01942 483713
Email: mobility.centre@bridgewater.nhs.uk

For information about other assessment centres visit www.mobility-centres.org.uk, The Forum of Mobility Centres