Driving Rehabilitation
Helping You Safely Return to Driving
Driving is an important part of maintaining independence, but illness, injury, or changes in physical or cognitive abilities can affect your ability to drive safely. Our Driving Rehabilitation Program provides comprehensive evaluations to determine whether it is safe to continue driving and identify strategies or rehabilitation that may help you return to the road with confidence.
Driving rehabilitation is provided by occupational therapists with specialized training in evaluating the physical, visual, and cognitive skills required for safe driving.
Who Can Benefit from a Driving Evaluation?
A driving rehabilitation evaluation may be appropriate for individuals who have experienced:
- Stroke
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Parkinson's disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Dementia or memory changes
- Vision or visual perception changes
- Neurological conditions
- Physical limitations affecting driving
- Other medical conditions that may impact driving safety
Evaluations may also be recommended by a physician, family member, or healthcare provider when there are concerns about driving ability.
What Is Included in a Driving Rehabilitation Evaluation?
The program begins with a comprehensive **Clinical Skills Assessment**, which evaluates the abilities needed for safe driving.
During the assessment, an occupational therapist will evaluate:
- Vision and visual perception
- Cognitive skills, including attention, memory, and decision-making
- Physical strength, coordination, and reaction time
- Medical history
- Driving history
Assessment findings are reviewed using standardized clinical tools, including the Driving Risk Calculator, to help determine whether additional evaluation is recommended.
Behind-the-Wheel Assessment
Some individuals may benefit from a behind-the-wheel driving assessment after completing the clinical evaluation.
A behind-the-wheel assessment:
- Is recommended when additional evaluation of driving performance is needed
- Is conducted by an approved driving assessment provider
- Uses a driver training vehicle rather than the patient's personal vehicle
- Evaluates real-world driving skills in a controlled environment
Results are shared with the referring healthcare provider and may be used to help guide recommendations regarding driving safety.
After Your Evaluation
Following your evaluation, recommendations may include:
- Returning to driving without restrictions
- Participating in occupational therapy to improve skills related to driving
- Completing a behind-the-wheel assessment
- Adaptive equipment or vehicle modifications (when appropriate)
- Alternative transportation recommendations if driving is no longer considered safe
Recommendations are individualized based on your evaluation results and overall medical condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral?
Many patients are referred by their physician or healthcare provider. Contact your rehabilitation team to learn about referral requirements and determine whether a driving rehabilitation evaluation is appropriate for you.
Will insurance cover the evaluation?
The clinical skills assessment is often covered by Medicare or other insurance plans. Coverage varies by insurance provider, so we recommend contacting your insurance company before your appointment to verify your benefits.
Is the behind-the-wheel assessment covered by insurance?
Behind-the-wheel assessments may have a separate fee and are typically provided through an approved driving assessment vendor. Your rehabilitation team will discuss available options, costs, and scheduling with you following your clinical evaluation.
Will I drive my own vehicle during the assessment?
No. Behind-the-wheel assessments are typically completed using a driver training vehicle provided by the driving assessment vendor.
What happens after my evaluation?
Your occupational therapist will review your evaluation results and discuss recommendations with you. Depending on the findings, recommendations may include returning to driving, participating in occupational therapy, completing a behind-the-wheel assessment, or exploring adaptive equipment or alternative transportation options. Results from any behind-the-wheel assessment are also shared with your referring healthcare provider.
Locations Offering Driving Rehabilitation
Driving Rehabilitation services are available at select rehabilitation locations.