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Driving with EB
If you have any form of EB and you are planning on learning to drive, there are vehicle adaptations that may be available, should you need them, to make you feel more comfortable when driving.
You may also be able to access financial support when you are learning to drive and once you have passed your test.
To find out more, please contact our EB Community Support Team who can offer advice. We have also created the guidance below to help you to understand the process for accessing adaptations and support.
If you have EB but don’t feel you need car adaptations or support, then some of these sections may not apply to you.
Depending on your specific circumstances you may or may not need any adaptations to a vehicle to help you feel more comfortable when driving. However, if you think you will need adaptations, then a driving assessment can give you advice on aids and adaptations that may assist you when driving. Taking a driving assessment isn’t mandatory but as well as helping to identify any aids and adaptations you may need; it can also confirm your practical driving ability which may help if the DVLA are making any inquiries about your EB / suitability for driving.
If you do need aids and adaptations to an existing vehicle or an adapted vehicle then you may be able to access financial support. Please links below to organisations who may be able to help:
- Motability Scheme | Lease a car, WAV, scooter or wheelchair
- Charitable Grants | Motability Foundation
- Apply for a grant – Hospital Saturday Fund
- Get support | Turn2us
- How To Apply – Independence at Home – the application would need to come via the DEBRA EB Community Support Team, a health or social care professional, or advisors or support workers from other charities or other community organisations supporting an adult or child who needs support.
Driving lessons
If you have a pending application for a mobility scheme vehicle then you may be able to access financial support for up to 40 driving lessons through this scheme. For more information, please visit:
- Driving lesson charitable grants from Motability Foundation
- Funding for driving lessons on disability-grants.org
If you are a full licence holder using adaptations for the first time, Motability may be able to fund up to 6 hours of familiarisation training, they may also fund the fitting of a dual instructor’s brake in your vehicle if an instructors tuition vehicle with the necessary adaptations is not available. Please visit Disability Driving Instructors for more information.
Car tax
If you receive either the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance or the War Pension Mobility Supplement you will be able to apply for an exemption from car tax.
For more information, please visit gov.uk.
Under the Disability Discrimination Act of 2005, it is illegal for insurance providers to charge disabled drivers more for car insurance. If your car is modified however, it may cost more to insure if the parts are more expensive to repair or replace. There are insurance providers that specialise in insurance policies for disabled drivers though including Fish Insurance and Adrian Flux are some that offer discounts for holders of a blue badge.
To compare quotes, you could also use the following comparison sites:
We suggest that you request a letter from a medical professional, either your GP or EB clinician, which states that they believe you meet the medical requirements needed to be able to learn to drive. This letter can be used as supporting evidence through the process which starts with applying for a provisional driving licence, taking lessons, booking a theory test, and booking your driving test. Please note you will need to state if you are disabled when you book your driving test, please visit gov.uk for more information.
Many of the major providers of driving lessons have specialist disability-trained driving instructors who will ensure that you can get behind the wheel comfortably and affordably. These include BSM.
The Blue Badge scheme enables you to park closer to your destination if you have a health condition, like EB, which negatively affects your mobility. You may also be eligible if you receive the mobility component of PIP due to the overwhelming psychological distress of going on a journey.
EB can often have a negative impact on mobility, if this is the case for you, a family member, or someone you care for who has EB, then it may be well worth applying. The DEBRA EB Community Support Team is highly experienced in supporting members with the Blue Badge application process, which can often be difficult. They can support you generally with the application but also with a letter of support which can make a big difference. Contact the DEBRA EB Community Support Team today.
For more information about the Blue Badge scheme please visit Citizens Advice.
If you live in England, Scotland, or Wales you can apply on-line at gov.uk. If you live in Northern Ireland, the process is different but you can also apply on-line at nidirect.gov.uk
You can find information about other benefits that you may be eligible for as a member of the EB community by going to our benefits and finance webpage.