Can Aspies Drive?

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Yes, I can, personally.

I can't drive because I've chosen not to get my license. I'd rather walk places. Once I buy myself a bike, I'll be biking places. It costs too much to own a car, anyways. I'd rather be green and travel by foot or bike. I'm a Sweet Pea.

Maybe people with ASD (is this the case?) are more likely to have problems with driving, but correlation isn't necessarily causation. My driving is fine, I thought it was likely to correlate with clumsiness and such which I also have no problems with.

Some aspies can drive. Some drive very well. The trick is in managing attention, giving just enough to each of the ongoing tasks.

I am learning to drive. I don't know if it's because of (suspected) ASD, or just family problems, but I am very immature in some ways (I feel like a 12-year-old, or thereabouts). Driving is very stressful for me, especially if my parents (who are generally impatient) yell at me because I'm waiting for a big enough gap in the traffic that I know I won't be a hazard to other drivers. I don't feel old enough to be learning to drive, but my parents forced me to start.

I've been driving for about a decade. I find it quite relaxing.

Hello, fellow Australian.
Do you mean rural driving is relaxing, or urban driving as well? I find rural driving more relaxing than urban driving, though still not enjoyable... it's also sad to see all the kangaroos on the side of the road.

Always nice to meet another Aussie.

Most of my driving is suburban but I love drives through the hills.

Suburban driving is still peaceful enough to relax me but driving in the CBD does not relax me. I prefer to use public transport in the CBD.

Do you live out in the country?

No, but I have driven rurally on a road trip (along the East Coast). I wasn't very experienced at driving back then. I might enjoy it more now.

Absolutely! I got my license at after college at age 23. It definitely helped taking a drivers education course, and getting more driving experience in general so it didn't seem quite as daunting. I was definitely afraid of driving on the highway at first. I still struggle with parallel parking, although part of the reason with that is because I don't use that skill as much. I also don't own a car (my employer at the time had a lot of company vehicles, and because I lived at the location I was able to pay to borrow cars, plus I drove people I helped look after to many different places). I think when I move away for my next job, I'll probably get a car so I could get to where I want to go more easily, although I still love taking public transportation and commuting via bicycle. I think some of the challenges being an Aspie and driving (at least for me) is the multi-tasking that can be involved, and sometimes (for me) the spacial thinking involved in complex driving situations (e.g. driving in the city). Plus the anxiety that can go naturally with getting into an accident, or getting pulled over. Ughh with all those awkward social situations lol.

Yea I can drive but never really liked it. But off roads bikes are awesome always obstacles and the unknown so you gota stayed focused 100% percent time which stops your mind from wondering plus the massive adrenaline rush you get when ever your about to crash and everything goes into slow motion right up till you save it or crash, The hitting the ground part is not that great thou.

I probably could drive, but I haven't taken it upon myself to get a driver's license yet. Don't really see the need for one right now.

If you are hesitant about driving, experience with riding a bicycle can help build confidence. It is also a very useful fall-back talent, and a healthy, economical habit anytime.

I really like driving now, but learning it was very hard. I cried during all the lessons because I can't take criticism. It took me many hours until I was ready to take the test. In germany, you are not allowed to drive without the instructor, so being a slow motor skill learner can get very expensive.

Yet another aussie here.

Anyway, I find driving very relaxing and straightforward after 5 years behind the wheel, particularly in the suburbs and in familiar places where I know what is coming up. I do agree that driving in the CBD is not very fun.

At first I was extremely anxious behind the wheel, and things such as double-laned roundabouts scared me to death. It's all practice though, and once you understand the rules it's really smooth sailing.

I tried driving once in a parking lot and almost hit somebody. I think I'd get too distracted to drive. I'm just plain not interested in driving. I'm just fine with taking public transportation.