Driving is a necessary daily activity for almost every Australian, one that requires physical, visual, thinking, and regulation skills – and usually all at the same time. Age, illness, or injury may impact your ability to drive, affecting your independence and your connection to the local community. These hinderances may be very noticeable, or the affected individual may not be aware of any implications on their driving ability at all. This is why working with an experienced and trained occupational therapist provides the best results.
Coastal Rehab’s driving assessment and rehabilitation services are aimed at individuals whose driving ability has been impacted by an injury or illness. Their licensed occupational therapists work with you to evaluate and understand the factors inhibiting your driving ability and design a rehabilitation plan to address your needs. Their team will evaluate your vision, spatial awareness, and physical and mental reaction times to determine your driving ability. This will allow their team to ascertain whether or not adaptive equipment will make driving safer and easier for you, as well as establish the best way forward for safe mobility.
Do You Need A Driving Assessment?
If any of the following criteria apply to you, you may need to have a professional driving assessment done through Coastal Rehab:
- Following the diagnosis of vision impairment, reduced physical or mental skills
- Have a condition that affects the ability to drive, such as a physical injury, illness, disability, or a stroke
- When in need of specialist driving advice, such as for the implementation of customised seating, driving endurance and techniques, or when returning to work
- Experiencing reduced confidence or anxiety when driving
What to Expect from Driving Assessments
Regaining your driving ability and independence can be nerve-wracking, but the team at Coastal Rehab is there to provide support and professional advice every step of the way. Their driving assessments can help determine if a medical condition or disability impacts your ability to drive, which may be required by your treating doctor.
The driving assessments comprise three parts:
Off-Road Assessment: Our team conducts the ‘Off-road assessment’ is first, in the office. Your driving history, physical, and cognitive skills are identified and evaluated during this part of the assessment. Additionally, your unique needs and any barriers to the resumption of driving are reviewed. OTs will also check and assess your knowledge of road rules.
On-Road Assessment: The purpose of the on-road assessment is to determine your capacity and ability to drive safely and in accordance with QLD’s Transport license requirements. It is conducted in our partnered driving instructor’s dual controlled car (either automatic or manual), and the driver is encouraged to “relax” and assume a normal driving rhythm. During this part of the assessment, occupational therapists evaluate your actual driving ability.
Driving Assessment Report and Driver Rehabilitation Plan: After the on-road assessment has been completed, a comprehensive clinical report is submitted to the referring doctor, who makes the final decision regarding medical fitness to drive.
Possible outcomes include:
- Resumption of driving on an unconditional licence
- Resumption of driving on a conditional licence with specific restrictions
- A Driver Rehabilitation Plan to master vehicle modifications or for remediation of habits
- Recommendation to cease driving
Get Your Driving Assessment Today
At Coastal Rehab, a supportive approach is used to assist you or your client and their support person to understand the legal requirements, and to customize a learning plan to support the driving goal.
Coastal Rehab’s assessments are holistic, take into account your driving history, off and on-road performance, and how best to modify the vehicle or driving routes to optimise independence. The driving assessment process takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours and is usually conducted out of their office in Buddina, with home visits by arrangement. Contact them today for more information.
