You may be referred if an illness, injury, or change in your health could affect your driving. The assessment helps determine whether you can continue or return to driving safely and whether any additional support is needed.
Return to Driving Assessment
Returning to driving after a medical condition or injury is an important step toward regaining independence. A return to driving assessment helps determine whether it is safe for an individual to resume driving and identifies any support or rehabilitation that may be required.
Overview
Who Needs a Driving Assessment?
At Coast & Rivers Rehab, we provide comprehensive assessments to support safe and confident return to driving following illness, injury, or changes in health. A driving assessment may be recommended for people who have experienced conditions that could affect driving ability, including:
- Stroke
- Traumatic brain injury
- Neurological conditions
- Spinal cord injury
- Cognitive or memory changes
- Reduced mobility or physical strength
- Medical conditions affecting vision, reaction time, or coordination
Assessments may also be required to meet medical fitness-to-drive guidelines.
How we help
What the Assessment Involves
Return to driving assessments in the Northern Rivers and Gold Coast regions are conducted by trained healthcare professionals and may include several components:
Medical review
Review of medical history, current health conditions, and any factors that may affect driving ability.
Physical and cognitive assessment
Evaluation of mobility, strength, coordination, reaction time, vision, and cognitive skills required for safe driving.
Occupational therapy driving assessment
A specialised occupational therapist may assess driving-related skills such as decision making, attention, and hazard awareness.
On-Road driving assessment
If appropriate, a practical on-road assessment may be conducted to observe driving skills in real traffic conditions.
Outcomes & Recommendations
After the assessment
Following the assessment, recommendations may include:
- Returning to driving without restrictions
- Driving with certain conditions or modifications
- Additional driving training
- Vehicle modifications or adaptive equipment
- Further rehabilitation before returning to driving
Our team works closely with patients, occupational therapists, and referring doctors to ensure safe and appropriate outcomes.
Supporting Your Independence
At Coast & Rivers Rehab, our goal is to support safe mobility and independence wherever possible. A structured driving assessment helps ensure that individuals can return to driving safely and with confidence. If you would like more information about return to driving assessments, please contact Coast & Rivers Rehab.
More information
Frequently asked questions
Why have I been referred for a driving assessment?
What should I expect at my driving assessment?
Your assessment will usually start with a conversation about your health and driving history. Depending on your needs, you may also complete checks of your vision, movement, reaction time, memory, attention, and other skills involved in driving.
Will I actually have to drive during the assessment?
You may be asked to complete an on-road driving assessment if it is appropriate for your situation. This allows the assessor to see how you manage everyday driving tasks and identify any areas where additional support or rehabilitation may help.
What if I’m not ready to return to driving yet?
Not being ready to drive immediately does not necessarily mean you will be unable to drive again. Your assessor can discuss the next steps with you, which may include further rehabilitation, driving practice, vehicle modifications, or reassessment at a later stage.
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