ADHD doesn’t just affect focus and attention—it can also show up in surprising ways, especially when you’re behind the wheel. From losing keys to getting lost despite a GPS, here are some signs that might hit home if you’re an ADHD car owner.
1. Lost Keys—Again
If you’ve ever searched your pockets, car, or house in a frantic scramble for your keys, you’re not alone. Losing items is a well-known struggle for people with ADHD. The brain’s “working memory” is often affected by ADHD, making it easy to forget where you placed important things, even moments ago. Keys are particularly tricky because they don’t have a designated spot in many people’s routines.
When you’ve finally given up on finding your keys, it’s good to know that there are locksmith services specializing in auto lockout solutions. Many of these services offer mobile options, sending a locksmith to your location to unlock your car door. It’s a quick solution, though it’s probably a good idea to look into tracking devices or a fixed place at home for your keys.
2. Forgets to Refuel or Recharge
In today’s cars, it’s almost impossible to run out of gas or battery power without plenty of warning signs. Yet, for ADHD drivers, that blinking fuel or battery icon can get easily overlooked. ADHD often involves something called “inattention blindness”—not noticing what’s right in front of you. As a result, people with ADHD might run out of fuel even with multiple alerts from the car’s dashboard.
Running out of gas or battery power becomes even more common if you’re juggling multiple tasks or trying to follow a mental checklist while driving. A simple solution? Set regular reminders on your phone to refuel, or make it a habit to stop at a gas station when you hit a certain mileage. It might save you from getting stranded.
3. The Never-Ending Project List
ADHD folks are known for their creativity and enthusiasm when starting projects. But seeing them through to completion? That’s where things get tricky. Unfinished projects can include anything from a garage renovation that has turned into a pile of tools, half-empty boxes, and lumber, to car modifications that started with ambition but got sidetracked along the way. ADHD brains thrive on novelty and newness, so projects often get left in various stages of “almost done.”
4. The Messy Car Interior
Look inside an ADHD car owner’s vehicle, and you’ll likely find a mix of old coffee cups, water bottles, food wrappers, and even random clothing. for ADHD car owners, organizing is a constant challenge . The condition makes it difficult to maintain an organized space, especially in a place that feels temporary, like the car.
ADHD brains often struggle with “object permanence,” which means if an item isn’t in direct sight, it might as well not exist. This can result in forgetting to clean out the car, leading to a buildup of clutter over time. Some find that a regular clean-out schedule—such as every Sunday—helps to keep things manageable.
5. Getting Lost, Even With GPS
GPS navigation was designed to help people get from point A to point B without getting lost, but for ADHD drivers, even this tool has its challenges. A common experience for people with ADHD is struggling with direction and spatial awareness, which makes it hard to orient themselves even with turn-by-turn instructions. It’s easy to get distracted by something on the road or lose track of the GPS voice commands.
This sense of direction issue might mean taking a few wrong turns or needing to pull over and reset the route on the GPS. Simple tricks, like turning up the GPS volume or using visual landmarks, can help ADHD drivers stay on course.
6. Forgetting Scheduled Maintenance
Most cars come with maintenance schedules, whether it’s oil changes, tire rotations, or other services. But for someone with ADHD, remembering these things is a challenge, even with reminders. Out of sight, out of mind—maintenance alerts or car-service reminders might go unread or get dismissed, leading to skipped or delayed upkeep.
This kind of inattention can lead to more significant car problems over time, so it might help to set up reminders on a phone or app or work with a local mechanic who can keep track of service dates for you.
Being an ADHD car owner brings unique challenges. These signs can be managed with simple tricks, services, and reminders to keep you on track (and your car running smoothly). The key is to stay aware of these tendencies and have practical solutions at hand. It may not prevent every last-minute scramble for keys or every detour, but it can help keep those ADHD-related car troubles in check.