Disabled people frustrated by driving lessons wait

Chelsea Moon, who has a bone condition that stunts growth, waited a year for lessons with instructor Emma Hallett (left)

Disabled people are facing long waits for driving lessons due to a lack of instructors with suitable cars.

According to the Association of Disability Driving Instructors (ADDI), less than 1% of the 39,500 driving instructors in the UK have specially adapted vehicles which can be used by those with additional needs.

The organisation added that only 20 of those instructors were available to disabled learners across the entire South West.

John Rogers, chief executive of the ADDI, called the situation "frustrating", adding it was "vitally important" to resolve it.

One of those affected is Chelsea Moon, 24, who has atypical osteogenesis imperfecta – a bone condition that stunts growth.

At just over 4ft tall, her additional needs mean she has waited a year for lessons.

"In a normal car I can't see out the windscreen very well, and I need specially adapted steering and braking.

"But I really want my independence, instead of relying on public transport."

Her instructor Emma Hallett bemoaned the UK-wide lack of those, like her, who have specialist training.

"It can be very rewarding, whether you're giving lessons to new learners or existing licence holders who've been taken off the road by an accident or medical incident," she said.

ADDI's John Rogers said the cost of adapting a car is deterring instructors

Having qualified as a disability driving instructor in 2015, Ms Hallett said the shortage had "always been an issue".

However, as a part-time employee at Cornwall Mobility in Exeter - an organisation helping disabled people tackle mobility challenges - she said that "measures are under way to address it".

Ms Hallett added that the organisation has been given a grant by the Motability Foundation to set up a driving school with two adapted vehicles, which local driving instructors would be trained to use and take wherever needed.

She said the pilot project is due for completion in 2027 before being rolled out across their other centres in Truro and Plymouth.

Mr Rogers said while interested in training, many instructors were either already "too busy" or put off by the cost of adapting their cars - a process which can cost "thousands, even with the discounted manufacturers prices available".

In a statement, the Driver and Vehicle Standard Agency (DVSA) said it was "working hard to provide a level playing field for learner drivers with disabilities".