There has always been much confusion over the rules governing licensing and insurance for riders with disabilities, hopefully this article will go some way to dispelling some of the myths and easing some unnecessary worry.

Do you have to inform the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if you become disabled?

The simple answer is yes. Failure to do so could cause you problems if you are later involved in an insurance claim (we all know how insurance companies will use any available excuse to refuse to pay out).
Also failing to notify DVLA can, in some cases, be a criminal offence.
You do this by contacting; Drivers Medical Group, DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1DL.
Telephone: 0870 600 0301 (Monday to Friday, 8.15am to 4.30pm)
Fax: 0845 850 0095 
E-mail: eftd@dvla.gsi.gov.uk Website

This is where most people start worrying about their licence being revoked, but the good news is that the DVLA are far more enlightened nowadays than they have been in the past (more than partly due to the work of the NABD over the years).
For most disabilities it is extremely unlikely that the DVLA would revoke your licence. Though there are some notable exceptions, such as epilepsy, severe problems with vision, and illnesses and injuries which badly affect motor control (that is motor as in motor reflex not motor cycle ....or maybe it depends on how you look at it). 
In the case of amputations, brachial plexus injuries, paraplegia, and such like, it would be rare for a licence to be revoked. 

There is a common misconception that the DVLA will demand you take a re-test, this is utter cobblers. In the odd rare case they may require an assessment of your ability to use an adapted control set-up (these assessments are carried out by the NABD, and are that rare that we have been asked to do less than a dozen in the last ten years).
The normal outcome of informing the DVLA of a disability is that they add a clause to your licence along the lines of 'any motorcycle suitably adapted' (though they have recently asked me for consultations regarding proposals to bring in more specific licensing categories).
In those rare cases where a licence is revoked the NABD may be able to make representations to the DVLA on behalf of the rider, but we would only do this if there were significant medical opinion that the individuals condition would not effect their safety or that of other road users.

How do I regain a revoked licence?

If you are one of the unfortunate people who had your motorcycle licence revoked due to disability in less enlightened days? It may now be possible to get it reinstated (recently people whose licences were revoked as far back as 1972 have successfully regained their motorcycle entitlement).
What you need to do is contact the DVLA in writing and request that your motorcycle entitlement be reinstated. If you still have a car licence quote the driver number, as this will help them find your records easier. Either way, give them as much detail as you can to help them track your records down. 
Name, date of birth, when & why your licence was revoked, address at that time if different from now, and anything else you can think of to make it easier. (If it was revoked before 1972 don't hold your breath, as there seems to be a problem with some of the records before then). 

Now, human nature being what it is, there may just be the odd smart arse who thinks this is a way to reclaim a licence they never actually had in the first place (or am I being too cynical?). Anyway they can forget it, the people at the DVLA are far from stupid, despite what you may have heard.

One other thing I would strongly recommend to anybody regaining a licence, who has not ridden for some time, is that they take at least a one-day refresher course with a reputable rider training school. Not only will it help to shake the cobwebs off your riding ability, it will do your confidence the world of good.

Do disabled people have to take a special test to get a full licence?

The simple answer is no they don't. By and large disabled people take the same training and test as able-bodied riders, though there are a few 'dispensations' available to those who require them.
Disabled people can take a test using a motorcycle & sidecar outfit, but this will licence them specifically for sidecar outfits.
There are also provisions made for deaf and hearing-impaired riders who cannot take the normal 'pursuit' test due to being unable to hear the instructions given.
Occasionally a minor aspect of the test may be given some leeway to accommodate a disability, for instance;
It may be that your disability would not allow you to perform the part of the test where you have to push the bike around 180 degrees without using the engine. This is usually done with the rider walking beside the bike and pushing it, but occasionally they will allow an amputee or brachial plexus sufferer to do it sitting astride the machine. 
For further advice on this you can contact the Diving Standards Agency.

The NABD has a small fleet of ready adapted 'learner legal' bikes to suit various common disabilities These are loaned 'free of charge' to disabled people who wish to undergo training and tests. These machines are in great demand and there is usually a bit of a waiting list. (We are always looking for more, so if you have a 125cc bike in reasonable condition you would like to donate, it could help quite a number of disabled people to enter the world of biking).

Will insurance companies stitch me up due to my disability?

They now have no legal right to do so. As of the Disability Discrimination Act 1998 it is no longer legal for insurance companies to 'load' policies for disabled people 'unless they can prove that their disability makes them a greater risk'. 
Now as we all know, the DVLA wouldn't issue a licence to somebody they deemed to be a risk, and as the DVLA are the authority on the matter, insurance companies are not qualified to disagree with them. 
Just to ensure that this is adhered too (not that I would suggest that insurance companies would act in an immoral way, oh no not me guv) the NABD will happily take up the gauntlet against any company found to be breaking this very sensible law.
There are even insurance brokers to be found who give 'preferable' rates to NABD members, such as Bikesure, Notts Pybus, & Carole Nash (through the clubs scheme).

Of course you must inform your insurance company of any disability or your policy may prove to be invalid in the case of a claim. You may also find that a company may load your policy due to the nature of an adaption, but this is quite rare and shopping around will usually sort it out. 
If you have problems with insurance, specific to your disability or adaption, contact the NADB and we will try to solve them for you.

I hope this information may prove useful to some of you, if you need any advice to do with any aspect of riding for disabled people, you can contact us (Details are on the Contacts page).