Deaf people can drive cars, trucks, buses, and even fly planes in Europe and the rest of world. Being deaf does not stop someone from getting a licence. The most important sense for driving and flying is vision.
What is a driving licence?
A driving licence lets you drive a vehicle on public roads. In Europe, the rules focus on seeing well and keeping your balance. Hearing is not a barrier by itself.
Key steps to get a licence
- Visit a doctor for an eye and balance check.
- Show a medical certificate that you meet the health rules.
- Tell the licence office you use a hearing aid, if you do.
- Pass the theory test in your language.
- Practice driving with an instructor.
Examples in Europe
Poland: Truck Driver
In Poland, a deaf person can drive a truck (Category C licence). Special training schools help deaf people learn safe driving. They use clear pictures and written instructions. A driving exam can be adapted for deaf candidates so they read all instructions on paper.
Austria: Bus Driver
In Austria, deaf people can work as bus drivers. Bus companies need drivers with good vision and a clean health check. The bus stop display shows upcoming stops and delays in text. This helps deaf drivers and passengers. Many Austrian bus operators offer training materials with simple diagrams and text.
France: Pilot
France has deaf pilots like Henri Corderoy du Tiers. He holds three private pilot licences and more than 2 300 flight hours. Deaf pilots pass the same flight training as hearing pilots. They use hearing aids or special headsets that send audio and text. At small airfields without radio control, deaf pilots learn take-off, landing, and navigation before moving to larger airports.
Tips for deaf drivers and pilots
- Use visual alerts in your vehicle. A light can flash when someone honks or when an alarm sounds.
- Choose instructors who know sign language or use clear written notes.
- Install mobile apps that send vibration or text alerts for real-time traffic updates.
- Ask licence offices about adapted exams for deaf candidates.
Conclusion
Deaf people can reach their dreams on the road and in the sky. Europe’s rules focus on safety and vision. With medical checks, adapted training, and visual tools, deaf drivers and pilots travel with confidence and independence.
Citations:
- https://www.matec-conferences.org/articles/matecconf/pdf/2018/90/matecconf_gambit2018_03006.pdf
- https://landline.media/werner-to-pay-more-than-300k-to-deaf-trucker-in-discrimination-lawsuit/
- https://blaguss.com/en/rent-a-bus/driver
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP_3w-hYabg
- https://www.elokon.com/en-EN/references/p-p-schuhvertrieb-relies-on-eloshield
- https://www.vias.be/en/newsroom/may-a-deaf-person-drive-a-car/
- https://www.deafnation.com/nobarriers/nb-europe/nb-france/france-deaf-pilots/
- https://bibliotekanauki.pl/articles/263529.pdf
- https://www.ooevv.at/en/about/jobs-career.html
- https://www.aerosociety.com/media/17921/his-hearing-or-speaking-impaired-pilots.pdf
- https://www.poland-transport.eu/en/g/tsl—information-worth-attention-56/articles/what-are-the-requirements-for-driver-work-in-polish-transport-companies-7012.html
- https://journals.umcs.pl/sil/article/download/11885/pdf
- https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/hearing2.pdf
- https://richard.at/en/home/
- https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/20/10934/pdf
- https://www.reliablesubaru.com/blog/2015/august/25/deaf-and-blind-individuals-get-the-chance-to-drive-in-poland.htm
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aToeladDJUo
- https://www.tedxcannes.com/watch/henri-corderoy-du-tiers
- https://www.overdriveonline.com/regulations/article/14897571/deaf-truck-drivers-take-to-the-road-with-their-cdl
- https://www.reddit.com/r/Salzburg/comments/1fntokb/bus_driver_refusing_to_let_us_off/
- https://www.aeropyrenees.com/en/medical-visit-pilot-training/
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