Deaf Drivers in the World

Hi,
I came across an article stating that India may allow their "hearing impaired" drivers (I typically use the term D/HH) to receive permits soon. I've read in some articles that there are currently 26 countries that do not allow D/HH individuals to drive. Does anyone know which countries this includes?
Thanks!
Here's an example of what I've found:
Deaf Driving

That's ridicolous. There's no reason why deaf people cannot drive!

An old friend of mine went to Japan in early 1980s for one month vacation with his wife. They are profoundly Deaf, took a hire car out for a spin for two days to the country side. They showed them International driving permit and Australian drivers license allowing them to drive in Australian roads.

Staff in hire car company was puzzled how they got their license allowing them to drive along with the permit but allowed them to drive hire car. Trouble started when a police had decided to pull them over due to driving irregularities, due to unfamiliarity in Japanese road rules and cultural driving habits. The cops were shocked and had decided to arrest them and placed them in jail for driving illegally because they are DEAF and the LAW stated its illegal.

They had spent about a day in jail and were taken to a Judge who cant speak or write English fined them, took away their passport until the fine is paid. They paid fine, retrieved their passports back and flew home immediately after.

deafaussie said:

An old friend of mine went to Japan in early 1980s for one month vacation with his wife. They are profoundly Deaf, took a hire car out for a spin for two days to the country side. They showed them International driving permit and Australian drivers license allowing them to drive in Australian roads.

Staff in hire car company was puzzled how they got their license allowing them to drive along with the permit but allowed them to drive hire car. Trouble started when a police had decided to pull them over due to driving irregularities, due to unfamiliarity in Japanese road rules and cultural driving habits. The cops were shocked and had decided to arrest them and placed them in jail for driving illegally because they are DEAF and the LAW stated its illegal.

They had spent about a day in jail and were taken to a Judge who cant speak or write English fined them, took away their passport until the fine is paid. They paid fine, retrieved their passports back and flew home immediately after.

Click to expand...

I wonder that Australian company could allow American deaf travelers to drive hire (rent) cars?

Yeah, this is ridiculous. I drive all the time. I think people don't use their ears anyway when they are dealing with noisy kids and musics.

I check my rear view mirrors all the time. I can see the ambulances coming. I also can see other cars reacting to it, AND if you have a special plate that show you are deaf, they are more likely to go around you. (Which is why all roads should have plenty of space to fit at least three car - side by side especially you never know a car will break down and need to pull to the side)

I think the biggest issue is teaching them to drive. Which a private instructor will be best at this because he can take over (using a car design for driving lessons) if you didn't hear his instructions. I had to hire a private instructor, and that's how I learned to drive.

Chevy57 said:

I wonder that Australian company could allow American deaf travelers to drive hire (rent) cars?

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hmmm, I wonder that's the reason Luke on Amazing Race couldn't drive. Maybe because he isn't allowed to drive in other countries.

All I can say it's pretty dumb that they don't allow deaf people to drive in other countries. Deaf people can drive just fine!

Chevy57 said:

I wonder that Australian company could allow American deaf travelers to drive hire (rent) cars?

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Yes they do. In fact, I rented a Porsche for the weekend and the rates werent cheap on these days but great fun!

Australia US England France I know are the same. No difference !!!

Talk about very ignorant people.

deafaussie said:

An old friend of mine went to Japan in early 1980s for one month vacation with his wife. They are profoundly Deaf, took a hire car out for a spin for two days to the country side. They showed them International driving permit and Australian drivers license allowing them to drive in Australian roads.

Staff in hire car company was puzzled how they got their license allowing them to drive along with the permit but allowed them to drive hire car. Trouble started when a police had decided to pull them over due to driving irregularities, due to unfamiliarity in Japanese road rules and cultural driving habits. The cops were shocked and had decided to arrest them and placed them in jail for driving illegally because they are DEAF and the LAW stated its illegal.

They had spent about a day in jail and were taken to a Judge who cant speak or write English fined them, took away their passport until the fine is paid. They paid fine, retrieved their passports back and flew home immediately after.

Click to expand...

I am sure they vowed never to visit Japan ever again.

Chevy57 said:

I wonder that Australian company could allow American deaf travelers to drive hire (rent) cars?

Click to expand...

Nowadays, deaf people can drive anywhere! And yes, Australian hire companies can allow any deaf travellers to rent cars in Australia!

DeafLissa90 said:

That's ridicolous. There's no reason why deaf people cannot drive!

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Very true. My driver's ed instructor agrees. I remember him saying that deaf people were the best drivers on the road. I'm not sure if he said that just because he knew I was there or if he said it because he says it to all of his classes.

Deaf Drivers

So, Japan still doesn't allow deaf drivers in their country? I'm surprised that country is one of the 26 countries not allowing the deaf to drive.

India is another country that doesn't allow deaf drivers. However, NAD recently made a motion to allow the deaf to drive. I read an article stating that India does not allow the deaf to drive there because of "lack of gadgets on cars that make driving unsafe for the deaf." There is no mention of which gadget they're referring to. At any rate, a decision is supposed to be made next month to allow the deaf to drive.

I'm still curious about any other countries that don't allow the deaf to drive. I can't seem to find answers on the internet as to which countries prohibit the deaf from driving.

without gadget? you mean like rearview mirrors? I find it unsafe for any drivers without mirrors. Now why are they attacking deaf instead of car companies?

Deaf people are more visually aware and therefore make better drivers. Also, hearing people are distracted by radios, talking on phone, talking to passengers etc.

Wendy H said:

So, Japan still doesn't allow deaf drivers in their country?

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[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctoWHANfDyA]YouTube - Japanese Deaf People Are Not Allowed To Drive - MyDeafLife.com (BSL)[/ame]
BSL ( not ASL)

In Japan, deaf people are not permitted to drive cars. A Japanese law, the Road Traffic Law, says that people must be able to hear—a 90-decibel sound from 10 meters—to get a drivers license.


Japanese deaf people have asked that the law be changed.

We need cars in our private lives and for our jobs. We would like to take part in society, said an official of the Japan Federation of the Deaf.


A survey of other countries—the United States, Britain, Germany, France, and Australia—showed these countries give deaf and hearing people the same driving rights.

The survey also showed that 80 to 90 percent of information required for driving is obtained visually. This survey is proof of what deaf people all over the world have always known—that deaf people use their eyes for their hearing, noted Mike Walton, an American deaf teen who will get his license soon.

Why arent deaf people allowed to get a license in Japan? They can understand the movement of speeding vehicles by looking at other cars, said Yutaka Osugi, a top secretary of the federation.

Japan has agreed to study the issue and will make a decision next year.

They need to change, nonetheless. Let them drive!

I knew about Japan, not sure about any other countries.
In Ireland deaf people can drive no problem. Some people with a bad hearing loss must wear a h/aid when driving. I think deaf drivers are safer on the road! They make themselves more aware of whats going on around them.
They use their mirrors constantly and are not distracted by car phones and radios!

Some don't need their hearing aids (and some can't wear them) to drive

beside, I wear both hearing aid and CI and I never can hear any car honk. I just try to be very careful so i don't cause problems so they don't have to honk. I can't hear siren from the inside of my car either, but I sure can see it as i check my mirrors ALL the time.

Its simply about human rights. Its a hearing view that are being forced down on us.

Thanks to South Africa's liberal constitution the government here will never dare try to do something stupid like that.

By the way
Are you aware that a deafie cant optain a hazmat (hazardous material) drivers licence in the USA?

evb1200 said:

Its simply about human rights. Its a hearing view that are being forced down on us.

Thanks to South Africa's liberal constitution the government here will never dare try to do something stupid like that.

By the way
Are you aware that a deafie cant optain a hazmat (hazardous material) drivers licence in the USA?

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Probably because of lawsuits. People in the USA take their job safety seriously here.

i don't think deaf people can be air traffic controllers either.