Can A Totally Deaf Person Drive?

Can a totally deaf person drive? It’s a question that many people ask on our blog.

If you are also curious about it and have the same question in your mind, this guide is for you.

In this guide, I’ll answer this question and clarify some misconceptions about deaf drivers. Let’s get started.

We have a related article for you, you can read How Do Deaf People Learn To Read? – Everything You Need To Know.

Can A Deaf Person Have A Driver’s License?

Many people think that deaf people aren’t good drivers because they can’t respond to sound, which is not true. It’s a proven fact that driving and deafness are two completely unrelated things, and there are actual stats available that prove that deaf people are fully capable of driving cars safely.

In the early days of cars, many legislators were also on the same point, and many US states didn’t allow deaf people to drive.

So, the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) created its Automobile Bureau, which collected useful data regarding deaf drivers and convinced state legislators to allow deaf people to drive.

Fast forward to 2022, all 50 US states have no restrictions on deaf drivers, and they issue driver’s licenses to qualified deaf people who fulfill all the requirements such as passing the driving test, taking the pre-driving course, etc.

Is It Illegal For A Deaf Person To Drive?

In the US, if you have a valid driver’s license and have fulfilled all the requirements for deaf people, it’s completely legal for you to drive. Similarly, if you are from the European Union, you can also get a driver’s license from your country’s respective authority and drive.

However, when it comes to the rest of the world, some countries allow deaf people to drive while many countries don’t allow and it’s illegal for a deaf person to drive in those countries.

These are the countries that allow a deaf person to drive.

· United States
· European Union (All Countries)
· United Kingdoms
· United Arab Emirates (UAE)
· Australia
· Bhutan
· Cambodia
· Indonesia
· India
· Japan
· Nepal
· New Zealand
· Pakistan
· Sri Lanka
· Thailand
· Philippines
· Canada
· Costa Rica
· Cuba
· Dominican Republic
· Ecuador
· Guyana
· Jamaica
· Mexico
· Panama
· Surname
· Argentina
· Chile
· Brazil
· Colombia
· Peru
· Venezuela

Which Countries Don’t Allow Deaf People To Get A Driver’s License?

While many countries allow deaf people to drive, there are also some countries that don’t allow deaf people to drive and get a driver’s license. These are some of the countries that don’t allow deaf people to get a driver’s license.

· Eretria
· Malawi
· Ethiopia
· Burundi
· Mozambique
· Rwanda
· Sudan
· Benin
· Cape Verde
· Chad
· Gabon
· Niger
· Togo
· Senegal
· Laos
· Egypt
· Mauritania
· Morocco
· Yemen
· Republic of Armenia
· Ukraine
· Haiti
· Nicaragua
· Bolivia
· Ecuador
· Paraguay

Can Deaf Drivers Drive Safely?

Contrary to popular belief, deaf people are fully capable of driving their cars safely, and it’s proven that deaf drivers perform equally well as hearing drivers. As driving is mainly a visual activity, deaf drivers can easily drive cars safely without endangering anyone else on the road.

However, when it comes to road safety, there are various tools that they can use. For example, drivers can use full view mirrors, which will give them a full view of the road, and they will be able to respond to other drivers’ signals and give space to ambulances and other vehicles.

Similarly, there are special devices available in the market which respond to sirens and horns and notify deaf drivers to proceed with caution.

What Are The Requirements For Getting A Deaf Driver’s License?

The whole process of getting a driver’s license varies from country to country. So, it will be best that you visit the website of your local authority and there you can check the requirements.

In the US, all states allow deaf people to get a driver’s license, but their requirements can vary depending on your state. For example, in New York, along with regular requirements such as driving test, pre-driving test, proof of residency in the US, etc., you will also need to inform the DMV about your hearing loss or deafness.

Once you submit it, the department will put restrictions on you to either use a hearing aid or a full-view mirror on your license. The department put a restriction on your license so that you can drive safely on the road.

Is There A Deaf Driving School In The US?

Yes, there are many driving schools for deaf people available in the US. If you want to get a driver’s license in the US, it’s very important that you join one of these deaf driving schools so that you can under traffic laws and signs.

Can A Deaf Person Get A Driver’s License In The USA?

Yes, if you are a deaf person and you qualify all the requirements for a driver’s license, you can surely get a driver’s license in the USA. It’s also important to note here that getting a driving license is your right, and if you think that you have faced discrimination in the process, you can contact your local court to get justice and get your driver’s license.

How Many US States Refused To Issue Driver’s Licenses For Deaf People?

In the very beginning, around 1920, around 4 US states refused to give driver’s licenses to deaf people, but later on, their decisions were reversed by the efforts of NAD. In 2022, all 50 US states will allow deaf people to get a driver’s license.

How Does A Deaf Person Take A Driving Test?

If you are a deaf person, you will need to notify your instructor of your disability, and then they will provide you with written instructions for the driving test. However, your driving test will be very similar to hearing people, and you will need to pass it to get your driver’s license.

Why Do Deaf People Have Better Driving Records?

Sounds can distract drivers, but as deaf people can’t hear sounds, it allows them to focus better on the road, which is the reason why they have better driving records than hearing people.

Can A Deaf Person Get A Driver’s License In California?

California laws allow deaf people to get a driver’s license provided that they fulfill the other requirements of the driver’s license procedure.

Can A Deaf Person Get A Driver’s License In Ohio?

Yes, Ohio laws allow deaf people to apply for a driver’s license, and if they fulfill all the requirements, they can get a driver’s license.

Can I Let Someone With A Hearing Disability Drive?

Yes, if they have the license and your car has a full-view mirror, it’s completely safe for a person with a hearing disability to drive. However, if your car doesn’t have a full-view mirror, it can get difficult for a deaf person to drive safely on the road.

Can A Deaf Person Drive In Canada?

Like the US, Canada also allows deaf people to apply for a driver’s license, and if they pass all the tests, they can get a driver’s license.

What Are The Biggest Challenges For Deaf Drivers?

One of the biggest challenges for deaf drivers on the road is to respond to cues from other drivers on the road. Usually, drivers use horns and visual indicators to alert other drivers, but deaf people can’t respond to sounds. However, there are some great devices available such as a full-view mirror and a device that respond to horns and notify deaf drivers, which you can use to drive safely on the road.

What Is A Full View Mirror?

A full view mirror is a big mirror that allows deaf drivers to get a complete view of the road, including all lanes. It makes it very easy for deaf drivers to see all the cars behind their cars and allow them to drive safely.

Conclusion

Deafness shouldn’t stop you from driving your car, and with adaptive equipment, you can drive safely on the road. In this guide, I shared the details of countries that allow deaf drivers to get driver’s licenses. I also answered some common questions and cleared some misconceptions about deaf drivers.

I hope that you found this guide useful and if you liked it, please share it within your circle. Also, check this guide where I have shared the 3 ways to communicate with deaf people.