Driving can be a critical factor in leading a normal, independent adult lifestyle, providing the means to work, attend school and participate in social activities. The benefits are especially important for students who live in suburban and rural environments, where access to public transportation is limited or non-existent.

Driving is also very dangerous. Car crashes remain one of the top causes of death for teenagers and young adults in the United States, according to data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 2025). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) notes that, in terms of fatal crashes per mile driven, teens die at a rate three times greater than those over the age of 20 (IIHS, 2025).

On top of this, individuals with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) diagnoses frequently demonstrate greater difficulty in learning the skills necessary for safe driving, especially in terms of attention and cognition (Cox, et.al., 2012). In fact, research suggests that only a third of teens diagnosed with autism successfully earn their driver’s licenses (Curry, et.al., 2017).

Does that mean that people with autism cannot, or should not, drive a car? Of course not! All it really means is that it may take them a little longer, and they may need a little extra help. In fact, other research has shown that once licensed, there is little difference in performance outcomes between drivers with autism and their neurotypical peers (Patrick, et.al., 2018).

That forms the core of what Modern Driver Institute is all about. Traditional driving schools are simply not equipped to handle the needs of different learners – their instructors lack the education and training to specialize, and their business model doesn’t allow for students who need more than a quick 6 hours of basic training.

Novice drivers with diagnoses including autism often require specialized instruction to master the concepts associated with the safe operation of a motor vehicle in live, dynamic traffic. This specialized instruction requires additional knowledge, training, patience, flexibility and creativity on the part of the driving instructor above and beyond what is required to teach neurotypical teens.

At Modern Driver Institute, we customize every session to the unique learning needs of the student, building their skills one layer at a time, at their pace, until they are fully ready to protect themselves and others while driving independently. While not every student at Modern Driver Institute reaches the final goal of a driver’s license, we believe that every individual has the right to try, and we’ll encourage them to improve themselves with every session. Those who do earn licensure have gone on to be some of the safest drivers on our shared roads, with rates of crashes and tickets far below their neurotypical peers.

If you want to give driving a try, Modern Driver Institute is your best choice. We’ll help you achieve everything you possibly can.