It is possible to drive if you’re deaf
This is a common question among patients with profound or total deafness who come into the clinic, and the answer is simple.
Deaf People Can Drive
According to Spain’s General Traffic Regulations, deaf people are allowed to drive.
Depending on the degree of deafness, you may be able to obtain a standard driving licence, or you may need to apply for an extraordinary licence, which requires the vehicle to be adapted.
To assess the driver’s level of hearing loss, a pure-tone hearing test is carried out. Results showing less than 45% combined hearing loss between both ears qualify for the standard licence, meaning no restrictions.
Anyone with combined hearing loss between both ears greater than 45% can only apply for the extraordinary licence, which comes with some limitations.
It’s worth noting that this test can be taken while wearing hearing aids. The following table summarises the requirements for the hearing test.
| Group 1. Standard licence | Group 2. Standard licence. | Group 1 Extraordinary licence. | Group 2 Extraordinary licence | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hearing acuity | Hearing loss, with or without a hearing aid, of more than 45% combined loss between both ears, as measured through pure-tone audiometry, prevents obtaining or renewing the licence. | Hearing loss, with or without a hearing aid, of more than 45% combined loss between both ears, as measured through pure-tone audiometry, prevents obtaining or renewing the licence. | Those affected by hearing loss with a combined loss of more than 45% (with or without a hearing aid) must have exterior rear-view mirrors on both sides of the vehicle, plus a panoramic interior mirror. | Not permitted. |
Restrictions for Deaf Drivers
The extraordinary driving licence for deaf people comes with certain limitations for both the driver and the vehicle.
Drivers will be restricted to group 1 vehicles, which include cars and motorcycles, but people who are deaf won’t be able to drive group 2 vehicles, which include larger vehicles such as trucks or buses.
The following table summarises the vehicles a deaf person is allowed to drive.
| Licence class | Description |
|---|---|
| AM | Mopeds |
| A1 | Motorcycles with max. power of 11 kW, or tricycles up to 15 kW. |
| A2 | Motorcycles with max. power of 32 kW. |
| A | Motorcycles of any type. |
| B | Cars |
| B + E | Group B vehicle combinations with a trailer up to 3,500 kg. |
The following table summarises the vehicles deaf people are not allowed to drive:
| Licence class | Description |
|---|---|
| C1 | Vehicles up to 7,500 kg |
| C | Vehicles of any weight with fewer than 9 seats. |
| D1 | Vehicles carrying between 9 and 17 passengers. |
| D | Vehicles with no passenger limit. |
| +E | Every licence class also has a trailer variant, which is likewise not permitted for deaf drivers. |
What the Vehicle Must Be Like for Deaf Drivers
If you drive while deaf, your car must be fitted with two modifications, which will be noted on your driving licence:
- 42.02 Two exterior rear-view mirrors.
- 42.04 Panoramic interior rear-view mirror.
Nowadays, every standard production vehicle already meets the first requirement of having two exterior mirrors.
As for the second requirement, it’s governed by European Directive 2003/97/EC. This regulation doesn’t specify a particular mirror size, but rather minimum fields of view that must be covered.
In line with this regulation, we’d recommend two mirror options that meet this requirement (Spanish retailer links): the first is this panoramic mirror, which hangs from your existing rear-view mirror, while the second is a panoramic interior mirror with a suction mount that attaches directly to the windscreen.
Remember, fines for driving without these modifications can exceed €300.
