Occupational Therapy Driving and Vehicle Modifications Assessments to Support Safe Community Access

OT driving assessment to determine if a medical condition / injury / acquired disability is impacting on your ability to drive safely and in accordance with AustRoads / QLD Transport driving test standards.
This can be completed in an automatic or manual car.

The assessment has two parts:

1. Clinical assessment (with just the OT driver assessor)
2. Practical assessment (with the OT driver assessor and specialised driving instructor – in the driving instructor’s dual controlled car).

Some clients with physical impairments will require vehicle modifications to return to driving.
Driving Well provides support with reporting, licensing requirements and applications to insurers (eg NDIS/NIISQ/WorkCover) for funding for specialised driving lessons and vehicle modifications.

OT driving assessment for senior drivers to determine if any medical conditions or age-related changes are impacting on their ability to drive safely and in accordance with AustRoads / QLD Transport driving test standards.
The assessment will assist the treating GP to determine if medical clearance (on a QLD Transport Medical Certificate) can be provided.
The assessment can be be completed in an automatic or manual car.

The assessment has two parts:

1. Clinical assessment (with just the OT driver assessor)
2. Practical assessment (with the OT driver assessor and specialised driving instructor – in the driving instructor’s dual controlled car).

Driving Well provides support with reporting and licensing requirements.

We receive many referrals for young people who may be on the Autism Spectrum, or have other diagnoses such as anxiety, ADHD, mild intellectual impairment, global developmental delay, and mental health diagnoses.
​We have worked with Dr Miriam Monahan (OT Driver Assessor from USA) from the Driver Rehabilitation Institute to develop an assessment process that works for this client group – this assessment process is called “Potential to Drive”.

The Potential to Drive assessment usually includes:

• Clinical assessments (which may include physical function, vision function, cognitive function / intelligence)
• On-road activities (which may include PASSENGER activities – perfect if your young person doesn’t have a Learner’s permit yet, and may include a short behind-the-wheel drive)
• Review of progress with lifeskills (cooking, washing, shopping, community activities) – this is so important in looking at readiness for driving.

We can assist with prescription and funding application for vehicle modifications such as:

• spinner knobs and hand controls
• left foot accelerator pedal
• wheelchair lifts and hoists
• lowered floor conversions and ramps
• wheelchair tie downs and docking stations
• high level driving controls – assessment in Total Ability high level assessment van

We can assist with prescription and funding application for vehicle modifications for passengers such as:

• wheelchair lifts and hoists
• lowered floor conversions and ramps for wheelchair occupant travel
• wheelchair tie downs and docking stations

OT driving assessments for commercial licences – trucks, forklifts, as well as motorbikes. We partner with Brisbane Truck School at Wynnum North and Cycle Right at Ransome to complete these assessments to determine whether the person’s medical condition / disability is impacting on their ability to operate these vehicles safely.