Texas Driving with Disability Program
The Texas Driving with Disability Program focuses on improving the interaction between law enforcement and drivers with disabilities that have unique communication needs.
Effective September 1, 2023, Texas public schools must provide information about the Texas Driving with Disability program to students who:
- have a health condition that may impede effective communication; and
- receive special education services; or
- are covered by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
This information must be provided annually to each student who is 16 years of age or older until graduation or until their 21st birthday. The information about the Texas Driving with Disability program must also be provided to the parents or guardians of eligible students. It may be provided with any transition planning materials that the school provides.
What diagnosis is considered a “communication impediment” under the Texas Driving with Disability Program?
- Autism
- Mild Intellectual Disability
- Down Syndrome
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Speech and Language Disorders (mutism, stuttering, speech delay Aphasia and Spasmodic Dysphonia)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Brain Injury
- Cerebral Palsy
- Deaf
- Hard of Hearing
Components to the Texas Driving with Disability Program:
- Communication Impediment on Driver License & State ID. Communication Impediment with a Peace Officer is an optional indicator offered on Texas State ID and Driver License for those wanting to alert law enforcement of a challenge with communication. A doctor would need to complete form DL-101 and then the individual would present at the driver license office. "Communication Impediment" will appear on the front of your card.
- Communication Impediment in Vehicle Registration. The Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunication System (TLETS) provides authorized law enforcement personnel with query access to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) registration system. Returns of vehicle and driver information are presented through authorized TLETS terminals. The option for disclosure of a communication disability/impediment when registering a vehicle through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Communication Impediment or Deaf/Hard of Hearing will then be privately placed in TLETS, thus alerting the officer of communication need prior to approaching the vehicle in a pull-over scenario. There are two forms that are available:
- Form VTR-215 Deaf Awareness (with specialty license plate)
- Form VTR-216 Communication Impediment (without specialty license plate)
An approved medical provider will need to complete the preferred form. The form would then be presented to the Texas DMV when registering or updating the vehicle.