Autism and driving: Ways to identify as autistic when driving

Identifying as autistic when driving

Any driver who has been pulled over by the police understands the anxiety involved in that entire situation. But for autistic drivers, these interactions can be especially nerve-wracking. Communication differences can become more difficult due to the stressful situation. Stims and other coping mechanisms, body language and outward signs of anxiety can be misinterpreted by law enforcement.  A simple Google search reveals multiple incidents of traffic stops involving autistic drivers gone wrong after an officer misinterpreted an autistic person's words or actions.

At the urging then of some self-advocate drivers, caregivers of autistic drivers, law makers and even law enforcement officials, states are increasingly offering a voluntary notation on a driver's license or issuing identification cards that indicate a driver has a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or related condition.

For instance, in Kansas, a person with autism may request the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to place an autism indicator on their driver’s license or state-issued identification card. They can also request a decal to affix to a license plate and a placard which may be displayed in the vehicle. It is voluntary and the driver can utilize any or all of the indicators. 

The Blue Envelope Program, which originated in Connecticut and has since been adopted by several states, involves the state supplying drivers with autism and in some states, other communication conditions, with a blue envelope to place their insurance card, registration and driver license in, so they can hand it to an officer during a traffic stop. The outside of the envelope contains helpful tips and instructions for both the officer and driver on how to successfully communicate with each other.

The objective of both identification programs is to both self-empower drivers with autism and related conditions with a means to safely and comfortably communicate their needs during traffic stops and help law enforcement understand the increased potential for communication challenges during encounters. The end goal: increase autism awareness and reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings.

Scroll down below to see what is available in your state. For additional related information including how and when you can get a driver's license in your state, check out Autism drives.

Is identifying as autistic on your license or through a Blue Envelope Program right for you?

The answer is up to you. To help you think about it, Andrew Arboe, self-advocate, driving consultant and contributor to Autism Speaks Learning to Drive with Autism course, offered the following considerations:

Positives: 

• It creates awareness which is crucial for law enforcement who are interacting with autistic individuals. A police officer can simply see an autism symbol on a driver’s license and it will immediately signal to the officer to rethink their plan of action. For example, officers are trained to react to any sort of quick movements and behaviors. But being made aware that certain behaviors may be common for an autistic person can radically change their interaction and the situation. This also gives the officer a moment to pause and think back to their training on handling interactions with autistic individuals. 
• An ID or a blue envelope can be stored in a secure easy to reach compartment of the car to be immediately handed over in an interaction. Especially for autistic individuals who may have high levels of anxiety, having this handy for quick access can be very important.
• It could ease anxiety of the driver to know they have a way to communicate without having to do it vocally. For many, this just makes them feel safer, and that is very okay! Feeling safe on the road is extremely important.
• The choice to add the symbol into a license card is completely voluntary. For various reasons, not every autistic person will want their diagnosis on their license. Having the option shows a clear respect to the driver’s privacy and autonomy. It is completely the individual’s choice to make.

Negatives:

• The moment this becomes forced, it becomes a problem. Disclosing a diagnosis of autism is a very personal choice that should absolutely be respected. In the United Kingdom, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (TDVLA) made a decision to enforce autistics to disclose their diagnosis or be fined. This concerned so many in the UK, some turned down evaluations for a diagnosis because of the decision. Eventually they decided to reverse that decision, but damage was done; trust was lost.
• If an individual does have a symbol on their license designating that they have autism, others may start to recognize that symbol in other situations. This can very easily complicate an autistic individual’s ability to decide when they want or do not want to disclose they have autism. Even if unintended, this takes away a degree of personal choice from autistic individuals.
• If a driver chooses to not have a symbol on their card or to carry around an envelope, how can police know how to react to them? If these are the only options available for designating to the police that an individual has autism, it seems like a very limited approach.
• If one does list their diagnosis, what would state and federal officials do with the information after it is collected? And for how long would they hold it? This is a basic privacy concern and very reasonable to have. It goes along with registries of disabled people, like ones that exist in some towns around the country, and the potential harm involved with them.
• Autism is never one size fits all in general, especially with behaviors. Each officer is different as well and they haven’t all received the exact same training. Granted, the blue envelope does offer a summary of what autism is. But so many outside factors such as the behaviors of the officer and/or driver are likely going to be very different for each interaction. Simply being aware someone has autism isn’t the same as understanding how to work with an autistic individual.  

Click on your state below to find out available programs and related laws:

Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | District of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Puerto Rico | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming

Alabama

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? Yes, you can carry an Autism Spectrum Disorder Identification Card.
• Law (Act 2014-344): A person with autism can request a separate ID card that explains that the person is on the autism spectrum and might have difficulty communicating. A health care provider must verify that the person is on the spectrum. 

Alaska

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? Yes, you can apply for an invisible disability identifier on a license.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No.
• Law (AS 18.65.310(m) and AS 28.15.111(d)): Offers a symbol on driver’s licenses for people with cognitive, mental, neurological, or physical disabilities. It is the same symbol for all disabilities.  

Arizona

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? Yes, Arizona participates in the Blue Envelope Program.

Arkansas

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No. 
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? Yes, you can apply for a communication impediment designation decal to display on a license plate.
• Law (Arkansas Code Section 27-16-815): A person with autism can request a “communication impediment” designation by providing documentation from a physician and a fee for a driver’s license or ID card. A person who qualifies can also request a decal on their license plate for one dollar with “communication impediment” on it. 

California

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? Not state-wide. San Diego participates in the Blue Envelope Program. 

Colorado

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? Yes, you can apply for a disability identifier for a driver's license.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No.
• Law (HB21-1014): The law allows qualified individuals with disabilities due to a cognitive, neurological, mental health, sensory needs, chronic illness, chronic pain, or physical disability to have a symbol on their ID. It is the same symbol for all disabilities. 

Connecticut

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? Yes, Connecticut participates in the Blue Envelope Program.

Delaware

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? Yes, you can apply for a medical indicator on a license.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No.

District of Columbia

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? Yes, you can apply for an autism designation on a license.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No

Florida

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? Yes, you can apply for a disability designation on a license.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No
• Law (H.0733): The bill requires the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to allow an individual to put a “D”– signifying a developmental disability – or “AD” – signifying Alzheimer’s disease - on their driver’s license.

Georgia

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? Yes, you can apply for a handicapped id and symbol on a license with the option to include specific medical information on the back.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No
• Law (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 375-3-1-.28): A person with autism can request a notation of their autism on a driver’s license or ID card. 

Hawaii

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No

Idaho

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No

Illinois

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? Yes, you can apply for a communication impairment wallet card.
• Law (HB.4825): Drivers with autism can disclose a medical condition or disability that could impede an interaction with a police officer. There is a space on vehicle registration that has a checklist of health conditions and disabilities that hinder effective communication with law enforcement. There will also be a blank space to list health conditions not listed. This will be printed on the vehicle registration and put in Law Enforcement Agencies’ Data Systems. 

Indiana

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? Yes, you can add a medical alert to a license.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No
• Proposed Law (SB 379 (2020)): Provides that an identifying symbol for a medical condition on a driver's license, permit, or identification card may also be used to indicate an autism spectrum disorder. 

Iowa

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? Yes, you can add a autism spectrum disorder indicator to a license.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No
• Law: Iowa allows people with autism to have an “autism” indicator on their license. The program is voluntary. 

Kansas

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? Yes, you can request an autism indicator on a driver's license.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? Yes, you can apply for a cognitive disorder placard and/or license plate decal.
• Law (Kansas 2017 SB 74): A person with autism can send a form, signed by a physician, to the director of vehicles to have a decal affixed to their license plate indicating their autism. 

Kentucky

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? Yes, you can request a communication designation on the vehicle registration.
• Law: Kentucky allows drivers with communication barriers (impeding effective communication with a peace officer) to add a communication barrier code to their driver’s license. This does not explicitly apply to people with Autism, but they could qualify. 

Louisiana

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? Yes, you can request an autism indicator on the driver's license.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No
• Laws (RS 32:412 and RS 40:1321): Qualified applicants will get a puzzle piece on their ID to signify that they have autism. To be qualified, you must show a diagnosis of autism from a qualified medical or mental health professional licensed in Louisiana. 

Maine

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? Yes, Maine participates in the Blue Envelope Program.

Maryland

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? Yes, you can apply for a Developmental Disability Disclosure Card.

Massachusetts

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? Yes, Massachusetts participates in the Blue Envelope Program.
• Law (Massachusetts Blue Envelope Bill – SB.2285): The bill creates a voluntary program that would provide blue envelopes to people with autism. The driver can put their license, registration, and insurance card inside the envelope. The envelope states that the person has autism and gives guidance for police on how to effectively interact with a person with autism.

Michigan

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? Yes, you can apply for a communications impediment designation to be placed on your Secretary of State record.
• Law (SB 278 and SB 279): Individuals with autism can request a communication impediment designation on their driver's license. The program is voluntary, and a physician must certify your diagnosis. 

Minnesota

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? Yes, you can request an autism spectrum identifier on a driver's license.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No
• Law: Minnesota allows drivers to add an autism spectrum identifier, “S,” on their driver’s license. 

Mississippi

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? Yes, you can request an Autism Spectrum Disorder indicator on a license.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? Yes, you can apply for a Disability Identification Card.
• Law: Mississippi allows drivers to add an autism spectrum disorder indicator on their license. 

Missouri

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? Yes, you can request a medical alert notation on a driver's license.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No
• Proposed Law (HB 1791): The bill allows for an autism notation of a driver’s license. 

Montana

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No

Nebraska

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No

Nevada

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? Yes, you can apply for a Star of Life on a license.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No.
• Proposed Law (AB 161): AB161, acknowledges that current regulations with the DMV have symbols or other indicators of medical conditions on driver’s licenses. If passed, it would put such a designation if that person had autism.

New Hampshire

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? Yes, you can apply for a Medically Recognized Disorder Indication on a license.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No
• Law (NH Rev Stat § 263:41-b): A person with autism can request a standard representation of a medically recognized disorder on their driver’s license. They must present proof of the condition via a signed statement by a licensed physician. 

New Jersey

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? Yes, you can apply for an autism spectrum or communication disorder diagnosis on a license.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? Yes, certain counties offer the Blue Envelope Program.
• Law (S-761): The bill allows residents with autism to indicate autism spectrum (or other communications disorders) on their state ID (including non-driver ID). The program is completely optional. Additionally, the bill requires the New Jersey Commissioner of Human Services and the Attorney General to work with the Department of Law and Public Safety and at least one advocacy organization to develop guidance for law enforcement on how to communicate well with people with disabilities.
   

New Mexico

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? Yes, you can apply for a nontraditional communication designation with the Motor Vehicle Division.

New York

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? Certain counties participate in the Blue Envelope Program.
• Proposed Law (Bill No A08711): The bill would include a distinctive mark on a driver’s license signifying that they have autism. The mark is optional.

North Carolina

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? Certain counties participate in the Blue Envelope Program.

North Dakota

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No

Ohio

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? Yes, you can apply for a communication disability notation in the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS).

Oklahoma

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? Yes, you can apply for an optional indicator designating an autism diagnosis on a driver's license. 
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No
• Law (HB 3671):  creates an optional identifying mark for driver’s license and State IDs for people with autism. This law signals to law enforcement officers that the person has autism, helping in their communication with the individual. 

Oregon

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No

Pennsylvania

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? Yes, you can apply for an Autism Spectrum Disorder interaction card. Certain counties participate in the Blue Envelope Program.

Puerto Rico

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No

Rhode Island

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? Yes, Rhode Island participates in the Blue Envelope Program.
• Proposed Law (H. 5503): The bills would work with at least one advocate organization for people with autism to design a driver’s license marked with “autism,” decals with “autism” to be fixed in a conspicuous place, and blue envelopes. 

South Carolina

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? Yes, you can apply for an autism indicator on a driver's license.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No
• Law (A19, R28, S344): An application for a driver's license or permit must allow an applicant who has been medically diagnosed with autism to voluntarily disclose an autism diagnosis which can be indicated by a symbol on the license.

South Dakota

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No
• Proposed Law (HB 1076): People with autism could get a symbol on their driver’s license indicating their autism.

Tennessee

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? Yes, you can apply for an autism indicator on a driver's license.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No
• Proposed Law (HB 1110): The bill would allow a symbol on a driver’s license designating autism. 

Texas

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? Yes, you can apply for a communication impediment indicator on a driver's license.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No
• Law (Transportation Code section 521.142): The code allows people with autism to indicate on their driver’s license that they have a “communication impediment.” To qualify, drivers have to complete a Physicians Statement form and submit it with a driver's license application. Registration for the “communication impediment” phrase on driver’s licenses is optional. 

Utah

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? Yes, you can apply for an invisible condition indicator on a driver's license.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No
• Law: This is a voluntary program that puts a symbol on your driver’s license for autism or other physical/mental health conditions. It is the same symbol for all conditions.

Vermont

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? Yes, Vermont participates in the Blue Envelope Program.

Virginia

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? Yes, you can apply for a medical indicator on a driver's license.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No
• Law: (JP’s Law – 46.2-342(K)): A person with autism can request a notification on a driver’s license that states that they have an intellectual disability. They will have to present a signed statement from a physician confirming the condition. 

Washington

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? Yes, you can apply for a developmental disability indicator on a driver's license.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? Yes, you can request to be identified in the licensing system.
• Laws RCW 46.20.117, RCW 46.20.161: People with autism can add a “developmental disability designation” on their driver’s license or ID card.  

West Virginia

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No

Wisconsin

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? Yes, you can apply for an invisible disability disclosure on a driver's license.
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No

Wyoming

• Can you identify as autistic on your driver's license? No
• Are there other ways to show autism in a driving situation? No