Transportation and Driving

Part of transitioning to adulthood includes taking steps to make sure you can live as independently as possible. Part of being independent includes being able to get to where you need to go. Driving oneself may be an option for some adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); other adults with ASD use paratransit, which is available to people with disabilities who are functionally unable to use regular fixed-route transportation. However, many individuals with ASD rely on fixed-route public transportation or ride-sharing like Uber or Lyft to get around.

Omnitrans (San Bernardino County)
https://omnitrans.org/services/access-ada/
Main Number (909) 379-7100
Access ADA Service Reservations
East Valley (909) 383-1680
West Valley 1 (800) 990-2404
OmniAccess Service is an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandated shared ride service that is available to qualified applicants whose physical or cognitive limitations prevent them from using regular Omnitrans fixed route service in San Bernardino County for all or some of their trips. OmniAccess provides curb-to-curb service to complement the Omnitrans fixed-route bus system and is available during the same periods that fixed-route service operates. The OmniAccess service area is up to 3/4 mile on either side of an existing bus route. OmniAccess riders make reservations for trips or arrange a subscription service for recurring trips.

Riverside Transit Authority (RTA)
https://www.riversidetransit.com/index.php/dial-a-ride/what-is-dial-a-ride
(951) 565-5002
Dial-A-Ride is an origin-to-destination advanced reservation transportation service for seniors and persons with disabilities. Dial-A-Ride vehicles travel to areas within three-quarters of a mile of an RTA local fixed route. These areas are called the “Dial-A-Ride service area” and trips must begin and end in that service area. If your trip starts or ends outside the service area, you will need to find a safe place within the service area to be picked up and dropped off to use the service.

Dial-A-Ride service is provided at times equivalent to local fixed-route bus service in that area.

In the United States and most other countries, there are no legal restrictions relating to autism and driving. As long as the individual can pass the required tests and demonstrate safe driving behavior, they are permitted to obtain a driver’s permit and eventually a driver’s license. However, driving is much more than learning “the rules of the road” and being able to pass a licensing test. It entails social judgment; motor coordination; pre-planning; flexibility to change; the ability to focus, multi-task, prioritize, and control one’s anxiety and sensory sensitivities. ASD can affect decision-making, information processing and attention to varying degrees. On the other hand, an individual with ASD may have characteristics that promote safe driving behavior, such as a vigilance to follow driving laws.

California law requires a person under the age of 18 to complete one of the following classroom driver education and driver training courses:

• 25 hours of classroom instruction (not including breaks or time for meals), home study or Internet training program (must be equivalent to classroom instruction requirements).
• 6 hours of Behind-the-Wheel training.
• 50 hours of supervised driving practice that includes 10 hours of driving during darkness.

Additionally, if the person with ASD has difficulty with reading, the California DMV does offer an alternative format (someone asking the questions instead of the applicant reading them). https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-education-and-safety/special-interest-driver-guides/people-with-disabilities/

AAA office in Upland
www.calif.aaa.com
1021 E Foothill Blvd, Upland, CA 91786
(909) 981-2961
Has experience with drivers with ASD.

All Star Driving School
https://allstardriving.biz
Norco (951)-817-8554
Rancho Cucamonga (909)-948-5363
Has experience with inidviduals with autism and learning disabilities.

California Driving School
https://www.california-driving-school.com/
Multiple Cities
1-800-522-5374
Experienced with ASD.

Casa Colina Adaptive Driving Program
https://www.casacolina.org/programs-services/adaptive-driving/
Pomona
909/596-7733 ext. 3500
An occupational therapist will evaluate your physical status, cognition, and communication skills as well as attitude and behavior. If further evaluation or training is required, you will have access to a wide range of clinical services available at Casa Colina by referral. Can perform a Behind-the-Wheel Evaluation in which the occupational therapist will evaluate your basic skills in vehicle operation, along with your knowledge of road and traffic situations. Your vision, reaction speed cognition, and other practical skills will be measured using appropriate clinical tools.

For more info:

Rules of the Road: Driving and ASD

Autism Society Options Policy

This Resource Guide was developed to provide families and professionals with an opportunity to find resources related to autism in the Inland Empire in one place.

All information provided or published by the Autism Society Inland Empire is for information purposes only. Specific treatment, therapy or services should be provided to an individual only at the direction of the individual’s doctor, caregiver, or other qualified professional. References to any treatment or therapy option, program, service, or treatment provider are not an endorsement by the Autism Society. References of treatments, therapies, programs, services, and/or providers are not intended to be comprehensive statements. You should investigate alternatives that may be more appropriate for a specific individual. The Autism Society assumes no responsibility for the use made of any information published or provided. The Autism Society Inland Empire provides information, but it does not constitute medical or legal information. Referrals provided are suggestions to organizations that might help, but do not constitute a recommendation. The Autism Society Inland Empire cannot be held responsible for consequences that arise from individual dealings with a professional or organization. The inclusion of any organization does not imply endorsement, and omission does not imply disapproval. The Autism Society Inland Empire may add or remove organizations from this list at its discretion.