Occupational therapy driving assessments and driver rehabilitation, or ‘driver rehab’, are provided by driver-trained occupational therapists who are qualified to assess participants’ fitness to drive, recommend vehicle modifications and assist them with the driver licence application process. In this article, we’ll address what driving assessments and driver rehabilitation involve, and the reasons behind requiring these services.
Reasons for requiring a driving assessment
While occupational therapy driving assessment and driver rehabilitation are services for anyone of legal driving age, those living with a medical condition, including physical, behavioural and cognitive impairments, require a driving assessment conducted by a health professional, such as an occupational therapist, to apply for a driver’s licence in their state or territory.
Driver rehabilitation is usually recommended for NDIS participants when their driving assessment reveals a need for driving lessons. Driver-trained OTs are qualified to create driver rehabilitation programs, also called retraining programs, that are tailored to help participants become more competent, consistent, and safer in their driving.
At Better Rehab, our driver-trained occupational therapists are experienced in providing comprehensive driving assessments and driver rehabilitation designed to help participants maintain, gain or regain their driver’s licences.
And as with all our allied health services, the focus of our driving assessments and driver rehabilitation is on competency, comfort and safety – and helping participants enjoy greater mobility and independence to live their lives their way.
What is involved in an OT driving assessment?
Occupational therapy driving assessments, also called driver assessments, involve assessing you and your car to evaluate your fitness to drive, which is your ability to drive safely, consistently, and independently.
Prior to your driving assessment, you will need to provide us with a referral and completed medical form from your GP, a report from your optometrist, and a copy of your driving licence.
Your Better Rehab driver-trained OT will first complete an off-road assessment, which evaluates your vision, cognitive ability, physical fitness and insight into the potential impact of your disability on driving. During this assessment, your OT will also perform an ergonomic assessment of your vehicle to check whether it meets your specific needs and, if needed, recommend modifications to enable you to drive competently and safely.
This off-road assessment is usually followed by an on-road assessment, with the Driver OT and your trained driving instructor to further explore your driving skills and knowledge, which can include your physical control of the vehicle, reaction times, judgement and planning, ability to self-monitor while driving and knowledge and understanding of road rules.
With your driving assessment completed, your driver-trained OT will make recommendations based on the assessment findings, which can include driver rehabilitation, vehicle modifications, and licence conditions.
Vehicle modifications are also called Assistive Technology or disability driving aids, and can include
- hand controls for the brake and accelerator
- left foot accelerators
- steering wheel spinner knobs
- specially designed driver’s seats
- devices that facilitate getting in and out of the vehicle
- technology that lifts your wheelchair into the car.
What is involved in driver rehabilitation?
Driver rehabilitation can help you regain confidence and skills after a break from driving, perhaps due to an illness or injury.
Following a driving assessment, your driver-trained OT may recommend a rehabilitation program. They will first discuss any concerns or questions you may have about returning to driving before creating a rehabilitation program focused on helping you overcome your driving challenges.
If your vehicle has modifications, your driver-trained OT will assess how you use these through a Driving Assessment. This is to identify whether they meet your needs and if not, your OT will recommend new Assistive Technology (AT) or adjustments to your existing modifications.
Following this review of your modifications, your OT may recommend some driving lessons to help you refresh your skills and become comfortable and adept using any new AT.
Your driver-trained OT and driving instructor work as a team to help you gain skills and confidence
Our driver-trained OTs might recommend NDIS-funded driving lessons as part of your driver rehabilitation program.
If this is the case, your OT will provide your driving instructor with your driver rehab program, which is customised to suit your usual driving style and to overcome any driving challenges you have, and will work with them to create your lesson structure. Your OT might also attend your driving lessons to assess your progress and provide support.
By working with your driving instructor, a personalised driver rehabilitation program can give you the knowledge and skills to drive competently and safely and help you feel more confident behind the wheel.
Preparing you for your driving test
In some Australian States, you will also be required to complete a Disability Driving test. If you live in Queensland, an OT driving assessment and report from your GP replaces this test. You can find further information on driving test requirements for people living with disability on the Austroads website.
Disability driving tests are the same as standard driving tests, which test your ability to drive competently, consistently and safely. The only difference is that during your on-road test, your driving test officer will be testing your ability to use your modifications.
As with preparing for a standard driving test, you will need to visit your local road agency to fill out the driver’s licence application form, prove your identity, pass an eyesight test and provide your driver assessment report from your driver-trained OT (in some states your OT can send this to the agency direct online).
If you are applying for your first licence, you will need to pass the driver knowledge test, such as the NSW Driver Knowledge Test, at your local road agency to gain your Learner Licence before you can start your occupational therapy NDIS driving lessons with one of our driver-trained OTs.
Your driver-trained OT will help prepare you for your driver licence test and may discuss the potential of your local road authority applying conditions or restrictions to your licence. While licence restrictions can limit your driving distances and times, they can improve your safety and that of others while you’re behind the wheel, and make you feel more comfortable and confident.
While driving tests can be stressful for some, our driver-trained OTs support you every step of the way and have plenty of tips to prepare you and help you feel confident and ready to achieve your goal!
Supporting you to drive safely
If you’d like to book a Better Rehab driver-trained OT, simply fill out our booking form. A member of our team will get in touch to discuss the necessary steps and any required documents before your appointment. We look forward to assisting you with your driving assessment needs.
