For many Australians, driving is not just a convenience—it’s a crucial pillar of independence, connection to community, and personal freedom. Losing the ability to drive, or facing challenges in gaining a license, can feel like a major hurdle. At Capability Support Services (CSS), we believe that maintaining your mobility and safety shouldn’t be a struggle. This is where our specialist Occupational Therapists (OTs) step in with a holistic and supportive approach: the Occupational Therapy Driving Assessment.
What Makes an OT Driving Assessment Different?
An OT Driving Assessment is far more than a simple driving test. It is a detailed evaluation conducted by a driver-trained Occupational Therapist who holds specialised qualifications to assess an individual’s fitness to drive. This includes anyone navigating changes due to age, injury, illness, or a disability, including NDIS participants. Our OTs look beyond basic rules; they assess how cognitive abilities, physical functions, and emotional stability interact with the complex task of driving. The goal is always the same: to ensure you can drive competently, consistently, and safely for yourself and others on the road.
The Two-Part Pathway to Safe Mobility
The assessment process is comprehensive and typically unfolds in two distinct stages, providing a complete picture of your driving capability:
- The Off-Road Clinical Assessment: This initial stage takes place in a clinic setting. Your OT will review your medical history and discuss your driving goals. Crucially, they will conduct cognitive screening (checking your reaction time, decision-making, and memory), perform a physical assessment (checking range of motion, strength, and coordination), and review your vision. This is also the time to discuss potential vehicle modifications, ensuring the car works for you.
- The On-Road Assessment: This is the practical portion where your OT, accompanied by a specialist driving instructor, assesses your real-world performance. In a dual-controlled vehicle, you will drive on various roads and environments. The OT carefully observes your ability to control the vehicle, your reaction speed, judgement, hazard perception, and how effectively you use any existing or trial modifications. This hands-on part confirms if your skills match the demands of everyday driving.
Your NDIS Journey and What Happens Next
Following the assessment, your driver-trained OT will prepare a detailed report with clear recommendations. Based on the findings, the outcome could be maintaining your current licence, a recommendation for vehicle modifications (which can often be funded through your NDIS plan as Assistive Technology), or a period of Driver Rehabilitation.
Driver Rehabilitation involves customised driving lessons, working collaboratively with your OT and the driving instructor, to practice using any new modifications or to regain skills and confidence after an injury or lapse in driving. For participants in Queensland, it’s particularly important to know that the comprehensive OT Driving Assessment and your doctor’s report often replace the need for a separate practical disability driving test, streamlining the process to getting back on the road.
Partnering with CapabilitySS for Your Driving Goals
Choosing CapabilitySS means choosing an allied health provider deeply committed to the NDIS values of independence and self-direction. Our Occupational Therapists are experts in complex supports and provide services across Queensland, NSW, and VIC. We pride ourselves on offering a person-centred experience that is supportive, clear, and focused entirely on your unique goals. We manage the detailed requirements, working seamlessly with your GP and driving instructor, ensuring your journey toward safe and independent driving is as smooth as possible. Ready to take the wheel of your independence?
Contact us today to learn more about our Occupational Therapy Driving Assessments or to start a referral.
