OT Driver assessment & Rehabilitation service!
Our Driver Rehabilitation Service provides specialist occupational therapy driver assessments and rehabilitation to support individuals in regaining or maintaining their independence on the road.
At Wise OT Solutions, our team can conduct comprehensive driving assessments that meet the requirements of Transport for NSW and insurance schemes. We provide clear, clinician-reviewed reports that insurers and case managers can rely on.
Whether the client is recovering from an injury, managing a medical condition, or need assistance with complex vehicle modifications, our team is here to guide you through every step of the process.
Please contact our office with any driving queries.
For many people recovering from injury, illness or disability, being able to drive again represents more than just transport. It's independence, connection and a return to normal life. An occupational therapy driving assessment gives you the clinical evidence needed to support that journey safely.
Our OT Driving Assessment Services
Cognitive and Psychological
Assessments commonly completed after brain injury, stroke, or degenerative conditions, including support for anxiety and mental health affecting driving.
Physical
Conditions
Assessments and recommendations to support return to driving including those with upper and lower limb injuries, spinal injuries, and amputations.
Rehabilitation and Lessons
We can support a graded return to driving and often refer for driving lessons to build a persons confidence to drive safely again.
Vehicle
Modifications
We specialise in basic and complex vehicle modifications for those who need their car modified to drive safely or to support return to life goals.
We specialise in completing OT driving assessments for clients with complex injuries who want to return to driving after their injuries.
What is a Driving Assessment?
An OT driving assessment is an evaluation of a person’s cognitive, physical and visual capacity to drive safely in all driving environments. Typically, these are requested for individuals who have experienced an injury or illness which puts them at risk of one or more of these areas being affected while driving.
At Wise OT Solutions, we specialise in providing OT driving assessments to clients with complex injuries who have return to driving goals. This looks different depending on the individual but can include a rehabilitation plan and vehicle modifications.
The goal of the assessment is to ensure the person is able to drive safely and legally with their injury or medical condition.
What is Included in an OT Driving Assessment?
Off Road Assessment
Completed by a Driver Trained Occupational Therapist, this will include:
- Interview including medical, social and driving history
- Vision test
- Physical screen
- Cognitive screen
On Road Assessment
The Occupational Therapist and Driving Instructor conduct the assessment in a dual controlled vehicle. We will consider the impact of the disability on the client’s ability to drive.
OT Driving Report
The outcome of the assessment will be discussed with the client and lessons may be recommended.
A report will be sent to Transport for NSW and the GP. The report will include justification for a driver rehabilitation plan if needed.
Who Needs a Driving Assessment?
A Driving Occupational Therapy Assessment evaluates whether a client has the physical, cognitive and sensory capacity to drive safely and what supports or modifications they may need to do so. Knowing when to refer is the most important part of the process.
Consider referring when:
- A client has been off the road for 3+ months and is requesting return-to-drive clearance
- A treating doctor has raised fitness-to-drive concerns but has not formally addressed them
- A client is requesting vehicle modification funding as part of their claim
- A return-to-work plan depends on the client being able to drive
- A rehabilitation plan has stalled, and driving capacity is an unresolved factor
Refer immediately if your client has:
- Acquired brain injury (ABI), stroke or neurological condition affecting cognition, attention or coordination
- Upper or lower limb impairment affecting vehicle control (amputation, weakness, reduced range of motion)
- Spinal cord injury — including both paraplegic and tetraplegic presentations
- Vision impairment or significant perceptual difficulties
- Seizure history or condition affecting consciousness
- Complex medication affecting alertness or reaction time
Brittney Hilliard - Occupational Therapist & Driver Assessor
Brittney Hilliard - Occupational Therapist & Driver Assessor
Assessment Outcomes
Based on the assessment, a recommendation regarding the client’s driving ability will be made to Transport for NSW. The recommendations could include:
- Maintaining licence with or without lessons.
- Recommendation for medical cancellation of licence.
- Vehicle modifications to allow safe and legal driving, with lessons on how to use the modifications.
- Downgrading licence to a Class C learner licence whilst completing driver rehab.
Frequently Asked Questions
A referral to an OT driving assessment DOES NOT mean that a person will lose their licence. A Driver Trained OT will look for every reason to maintain a person’s independence.
An OT driving assessment is an opportunity to clinically observe and provide feedback on someone’s driving and can result in modifications or rehab and training.
No. Driver Occupational Therapy is a specialist OT skillset which requires post-graduate study.
The client will require a valid licence to complete the OT driving assessment. This can be a full licence or one that has been downgraded to a learner licence.
You cannot complete the assessment with a suspended or cancelled licence.
Once the RMS/Services NSW/ Transport report is submitted to the RMS/ Services NSW/ Transport a licence is typically “downgraded” to an Ls or X231 condition – only driving with a licenced driving instructor. Please note until the X231 condition changes the person cannot drive with anyone except a licenced driving instructor and cannot supervise another learner driver.
If your client is booked for an OT driving assessment quickly, this may not be necessary
- An active Driver’s Licence – You cannot complete the assessment with a suspended or cancelled licence.
- A completed Transport for NSW Fitness to Drive Medical Form outlining your medical condition, confirming that you are medically fit to complete an Occupational Therapy Driving Assessment and an up to date medications list.
- Glasses – for reading or long distance, or sunglasses if you need them.
OT Driving Assessment Resources
Driver Assessment Flyer for Insurers/Case Managers/OTs
Driver Assessments Flyer for Clients
Contact us to discuss how we can help your client with their driving goals: