Confessions of an ADHD driver

Aug 17 2008 by Sara Nichol, Sunday Sun

A TEENAGER suffering from ADHD who lost his driving licence has revealed he often has lapses of concentration when he’s behind the wheel.

Chad Sayadsarvari was granted an early provisional licence from the DVLA when he was 16, despite having already been given six points for driving offences committed a year earlier.

Yet, within weeks of passing his test — on the fourth attempt and after spending £2500 on tuition and tests — he was banned from driving after smashing his car into a wall in a fit of rage.

But Chad, 17, of Walker, Newcastle, could be back on the road soon if he passes re-sits of his theory and practical driving tests, despite his problems due to attention deficit disorder.

He said: “When I’m driving, my ADHD makes it hard for me to concentrate and sometimes I miss things like traffic signals and lights and stuff. I get that practically every time I’m in the car.

“I didn’t get any advice from the DVLA on how to overcome it. I find it harder to understand what to do in certain situations, and understand instructions sometimes.”

The former St Mary’s School pupil revealed he clocked-up his first six points aged 15, after driving a scooter without a licence or insurance around the streets near his home.

Less than a year later, the Newcastle College student filled in a form and sent it to the DVLA, asking for his early provisional, which was granted because his condition is classed as a disability under the Mobility Allowance scheme. Less than four weeks after ripping up his L plates in June, Chad was slammed with another three points when he lost his temper after spotting a teenager he believed had stolen his mobile phone, while at the wheel of his car.

He raced towards the other teenager but lost control of his Peugeot 106 and careered into a wall.

Chad, who studies business and IT, said: “I was furious, so I started driving straight towards him, shouting from my window. Next thing I knew I lost control of my car because it had been raining and hit a wall.

“I phoned the police straight away and I was taken to court for careless driving, although I don’t really understand how it was careless.”

A spokesman for the DVLA refused to comment on Chad’s case, but said: “Initially, disabled young people had to wait until age 17 to take a car test like everyone else.

“However, this proved particularly difficult for disabled people of that age wanting to get employment or further education and who could not avail themselves of public transport, so the minimum age was reduced to 16.”

A study conducted by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in 2002 found 20 per cent of ADHD sufferers questioned had had their licences revoked or suspended.