OT Driving assessments: helping you stay safe behind the wheel

Helping You Stay Safe and Independent Behind the Wheel

Occupational therapy driving assessments for people whose health, disability or physical abilities have changed.

Changes in strength, movement, coordination, reaction time, vision or cognition can affect the way you drive. An OT driving assessment can help determine how these changes may be affecting your driving and whether modifications, strategies or further assessment may help you continue driving safely.

At Ganly Allied Health, our occupational therapists take a person-centred and practical approach to driving assessment. We consider your individual abilities, your vehicle, your driving needs and the recommendations that may help you continue to drive safely and confidently.

Talk to our OT team about a driving assessment.

Has driving become more difficult?

You might be noticing that:

• Your physical abilities have changed.

• You are finding it harder to control the steering wheel.

• Using the pedals has become difficult.

• You have reduced strength or movement in your arms or legs.

• Your reaction times have changed.

• You are experiencing difficulties with coordination.

• You have noticed changes in your vision.

• You are finding complex traffic situations more challenging.

• You have concerns about your ability to drive safely.

• Someone close to you has raised concerns about your driving.

• You've recently experienced an injury, illness or change in your health.

• You want to return to driving after an injury or illness.

• You're wondering whether vehicle modifications could help you continue driving.

You don't have to wait until you're no longer confident behind the wheel to seek help.

An assessment can help identify what you're able to do safely and whether there are strategies or modifications that may support you.

Driving is about more than getting from A to B.

For many people, driving represents freedom, independence and connection.

It's how you may:

• Get to work

• Attend appointments

• Visit family and friends

• Go shopping

• Participate in the community

• Manage everyday responsibilities

• Maintain your independence

When your physical abilities change, it can be difficult to know whether you can continue driving safely.

Our role is to help you understand your abilities and identify appropriate next steps.

What is an OT driving assessment?

An occupational therapy driving assessment considers how your health and functional abilities may affect your ability to drive safely.

Depending on your circumstances, your assessment may consider:

Cognitive abilities

Including attention, concentration, processing and decision-making.

Vision

Considering visual abilities that are important for safe driving.

Physical abilities

Including strength, range of movement, coordination and sensation.

Vehicle access

Looking at how you get into and out of your vehicle and whether this can be done safely.

Vehicle controls

Considering your ability to operate steering, pedals and other vehicle controls.

Seating & positioning

Assessing your ability to achieve an appropriate and functional driving position.

On-road performance

Where required and appropriate, practical driving may be undertaken to assess how you manage real-world driving situations

How can we help?

Our occupational therapists can assist with:

Returning to driving

If you've stopped driving following an injury, illness or change in your physical abilities, we can help assess your current capabilities and identify appropriate next steps.

Maintaining your licence

If your health or disability has changed, an assessment can help determine whether you can continue driving safely and whether any conditions or adaptations may be required.

Vehicle modifications

If physical limitations are affecting your ability to operate your vehicle, we can consider whether modifications or specialised controls may help.

Driving after neurological conditions

We can assess people experiencing functional changes associated with conditions such as:

• Stroke

• Acquired brain injury

• Multiple sclerosis

• Parkinson's disease

• Huntington's disease

• Motor neurone disease

• Cerebral palsy

• Other neurological conditions

Driving after amputation or physical injury

We can assess how changes in limb function, strength, movement or sensation may affect driving and whether vehicle adaptations may assist.

Concerns about driving safety

If you or your family have noticed changes in your driving, an OT assessment can provide a structured assessment of your current abilities and help determine appropriate next steps.

What happens next?

1. Get in touch

Tell us what's changed or what you're concerned about with your driving.

You don't need to know whether you need an assessment, we can talk you through the process.

2. We discuss your circumstances

We'll talk about your health, disability, functional abilities, driving history, current vehicle and any concerns you or others have identified.

3. Your OT completes an assessment

We'll assess the functional abilities relevant to driving and consider how these may affect your ability to safely operate a vehicle.

4. Practical driving assessment

Where appropriate, a practical on-road assessment may be completed to assess your driving performance in real-world situations.

5. We identify recommendations

Depending on the outcome, recommendations may include:

• Continuing to drive

• Further assessment

• Driving strategies

• Vehicle modifications

• Specialist driving controls

• Additional driver training

• Restrictions or conditions

• Further medical or professional review

6. We help you understand the next steps

We'll explain the assessment findings and recommendations clearly and work with you and your relevant professionals to support the next stage of the process.

An OT driving assessment isn't about taking away your independence. It's about understanding your current abilities and determining what you may need to drive safely.

For some people, the answer may be that they can continue driving. For others, modifications, strategies, training or further assessment may be appropriate. And sometimes, an assessment identifies that driving is no longer safe.

Our role is to provide an objective, professional assessment and help you understand your options.