Driving assessments are carried out by a driver-trained occupational therapist who assesses the person to determine if their injury or illness has an impact on either their capacity to drive or their capacity to drive a standard vehicle.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
Driving assessments have an off-road and an on-road component. The off-road driving assessment involves a driving history check, vision and physical assessment along with a thinking skills, capabilities and knowledge of current road laws and rules assessment. On-road assessments can take place in the person’s own car, the driving assessor’s adapted car or specially adapted heavy vehicles. The assessor will look at:
- visual abilities including perceptual abilities such as judging distance and depth
- cognitive abilities such as memory, decision making and planning
- physical ability to control the car
- physical ability to get in and out of the car
- drivers need for modification
- alternative driving techniques required.
People with disability who are required to drive for work, may find the links below useful:
References
Driving Assessment Centre 2011, Assessments, Royal Rehabilitation Centre Sydney, Sydney, viewed 25 May 2011, http://www.drivingassessment.com.au/mainpages/index.php.