The Neurodiverse Driver Training Series – 4 Practical Books for Driving Instructors

Teaching Neurodiverse Learners to DriveA Practical Guide for Driving InstructorsThe Neurodiverse Driver Training Series – Four Practical Books for Driving InstructorsThe Neurodiverse Driver Training Series – Four Practical Books for Driving Instructors

Understanding neurodiversity. Adapting instruction. Developing safer, more confident and independent drivers.

Every learner is different. But for some learners, the journey towards becoming a confident, safe and independent driver can involve additional challenges that aren't always immediately obvious.

Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and other learning differences can influence how someone processes information, communicates, manages attention, responds to their surroundings and develops new skills.

For driving instructors, understanding these differences can make a significant difference to the learning experience.

That's why I created The Neurodiverse Driver Training Series – a collection of four practical books designed specifically to support Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs), Potential Driving Instructors (PDIs) and instructor trainers.

Written by Simon Harrison, ADI, BA (Hons), PGCE, the series brings together experience from education and professional driver training to explore how instructors can better understand their learners and adapt their teaching without compromising road safety or driving standards.


Why a series specifically for driving instructors?

Much of the information available about neurodiversity focuses on education, childhood development or general understanding.

However, learning to drive introduces a different set of demands.

Learners need to process multiple sources of information, make decisions, manage risk, coordinate physical actions, respond to changing environments and develop the ability to anticipate potential hazards.

For someone with additional learning needs, these demands can sometimes create barriers that aren't immediately obvious to their instructor.

The answer isn't to assume that every autistic learner or every learner with ADHD needs the same approach.

Instead, instructors need to understand the individual, recognise potential barriers and consider how their teaching can be adapted.

The Neurodiverse Driver Training Series explores this process across four complementary books.

Introducing the four books

Book 1 – Understanding Autism in Driver Training

A Practical Guide for Driving Instructors

Autism can influence communication, sensory processing, information processing, predictability, anxiety and how an individual experiences the driving environment.

This book explores autism specifically within the context of learning to drive.

It helps instructors consider:

  • Communication differences and understanding instructions.
  • Sensory processing and environmental demands.
  • Information processing and processing time.
  • Anxiety, uncertainty and predictability.
  • Individual strengths, differences and potential barriers.
  • How to develop a better understanding of the learner.

The focus is on understanding the individual rather than relying on assumptions about an autism diagnosis.

Buy Book 1 on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Understanding-Autism-Driver-Training-Neurodiverse/dp/B0HLMZ2VHC

Book 2 – Understanding ADHD & Learning Differences in Driver Training

A Practical Guide for Driving Instructors

Understanding ADHD & Learning Differences in Driver TrainingA Practical Guide for Driving Instructors

Neurodiversity extends beyond autism.

ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and other learning differences can influence how learners approach the process of learning to drive.

This book explores areas including:

  • Attention regulation and concentration.
  • Working memory and executive functioning.
  • Information processing.
  • Organisation and sequencing.
  • Coordination and motor planning.
  • Performance variability.
  • Understanding individual learning differences.

It encourages instructors to look beyond what they see during a lesson and consider what might be influencing the learner's performance.

Buy Book 2 on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0HLMP2577

Book 3 – Teaching Neurodiverse Learners to Drive

A Practical Guide for Driving Instructors

Teaching Neurodiverse Learners to Drive A Practical Guide for Driving Instructors

Understanding a learner is important, but how do we translate that understanding into effective teaching?

Book 3 moves from awareness into practical instruction.

It explores how instructors can adapt their teaching methods, lesson structures and communication to support different learning needs.

Topics include:

  • Effective communication and instruction.
  • Lesson planning and preparation.
  • Managing cognitive load.
  • Breaking down complex driving tasks.
  • Scaffolding and prompting.
  • Repetition, practice and consolidation.
  • Adapting instruction to individual needs.
  • Developing confidence and independence.

The aim is to help instructors make informed teaching decisions rather than simply applying a collection of techniques.

Buy Book 3 on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0HLMRHN69

Book 4 – Supporting Neurodiverse Learners to Test & Independent Driving

A Practical Guide for Driving Instructors


Learning to drive doesn't finish when someone becomes test-ready.

The transition from structured driving lessons to independent driving can introduce new challenges, particularly for learners who find uncertainty, decision-making or unfamiliar situations difficult.

Book 4 explores the later stages of the learning journey, including:

  • Theory test preparation.
  • Hazard perception.
  • Preparing for the practical driving test.
  • Managing progress difficulties.
  • Building consistency and confidence.
  • Developing independent decision-making.
  • Preparing for driving without an instructor.
  • Practical tools and reflective resources for instructors.

The focus is on supporting learners to become safe, capable and independent drivers, not simply helping them pass a driving test.

Buy Book 4 on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0HLXVZRN9

Explore the complete four-book collection

Each book can be read individually, depending on your interests and professional development needs.

However, together they follow the complete learning-to-drive journey:

  1. Understand – Recognise and understand the individual learner.
  2. Recognise – Identify potential barriers and learning differences.
  3. Adapt – Develop teaching approaches that respond to individual needs.
  4. Support – Help learners prepare for their test and develop independent driving skills.

The paperback editions are available individually on Amazon.

Individual paperback price: £9.99 each.

You can also explore the complete series through its Amazon series page:

View The Neurodiverse Driver Training Series on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0HLMHV66B?binding=paperback

Who are these books for?

The series has been written primarily for:

  • Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs).
  • Potential Driving Instructors (PDIs).
  • Driving instructor trainers.
  • Driving schools developing more inclusive teaching practices.
  • Instructors supporting autistic learners.
  • Instructors working with learners with ADHD and other learning differences.
  • Experienced instructors looking to reflect on and develop their teaching.

You don't need to be a neurodiversity specialist to benefit from the series.

The books are intended to help instructors develop their understanding and consider how small, informed changes to their teaching can make learning more accessible.

A little about the author

I'm Simon Harrison, a fully qualified Approved Driving Instructor, qualified teacher (BA Hons, PGCE) and author.

Before moving into driver training, I spent 12 years working in education across secondary and primary settings.

My experience in education, combined with my work as a driving instructor and my personal interest in neurodiversity, has shaped the way I approach driver training.

I've always believed that effective teaching starts with understanding the individual.

A learner's difficulty isn't necessarily a lack of ability, motivation or effort. Sometimes, the way information is presented, the environment in which they are learning or the demands being placed upon them can create an unnecessary barrier.

My aim in writing this series is to encourage driving instructors to reflect on their own teaching, develop their understanding and recognise that inclusive instruction doesn't mean lowering expectations.

It means finding a more effective way to help someone reach the same essential standard of safe driving.

One principle runs through the entire series

Understand the individual.
Identify the barrier.
Adapt the teaching.
Maintain the safety standard.
Build independence.

These five principles underpin The Neurodiverse Driver Training Series.

If you're an ADI, PDI or instructor trainer looking to develop your understanding of neurodiversity and make your teaching more inclusive, I hope these books provide a useful addition to your professional development and teaching resources.

Explore the books today

The Neurodiverse Driver Training Series by Simon Harrison

Four practical books. One shared purpose: helping driving instructors understand their learners and support more confident, capable and independent drivers.

Explore the complete series on Amazon

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