Research conducted by Cazoo and Nottingham Trent University has found that drivers with ADHD are 60% more likely to experience a collision or near-miss.
Cazoo has called for tailored support to support drivers with ADHD.
44% of drivers with ADHD have had an incident over the past 12 months, compared to 28% of those without.
Cazoo also found that neurodivergent drivers face higher insurance costs and the threat of a £1,000 fine for failing to disclose it to the DVLA.
Paul Middleton, director the PSM Driving School, said: “While drivers with ADHD may experience additional challenges such as managing focus or processing distractions, it’s vital to recognise that this doesn’t make them worse drivers.
“In fact, many of the learners we’ve worked with display outstanding reaction times, strong problem-solving skills, and a unique ability to adapt under pressure.
“With the right awareness and support, these strengths can make them some of the most capable and responsive drivers on the road.”
The study also found that drivers with ADHD are more prone to road rage, due to issues with emotional regulation.
48% admitted to shouting, swearing or gesturing at other drivers often or sometimes, compared to 31% of those without ADHD.
Professor David Daley from Nottingham Trent University, said: “ADHD profoundly affects attention, impulsivity, and emotional regulation, and our research seeks to acknowledge how significantly these challenges extend into the driving environment.
“By shining a light on these very real cognitive burdens – and the compounding mental load of vehicle ownership, from maintenance tasks to complex decisions like switching to an electric vehicle (EV) – our goal is to provide supportive insights.
“Understanding the full scope of this impact is the first step toward promoting safety, for both the driver and the community.”
Cazoo and PSM Driving School have partnered to offer additional support for learner drivers with ADHD and one-hour refresher lessons for adults with a late ADHD diagnosis, teaching strategies to improve focus and manage distractions.
Barry Judge, CEO at Cazoo, said: “Driving is a vital part of people’s independence, but safety must come first.
“We are committed to ensuring every driver can find the vehicle that is right for them, so by helping ADHD drivers find the right car based on the ADHD-friendly features identified in the research, and offering tailored refresher lessons, we are committed to making sure everyone feels confident and safe on the road.
“What we have learned from our research and work with Professor David Daley has also inspired us to provide new guidance to our dealer partners across the UK to ensure the buying process is as accessible to ADHD drivers as possible.”
