Many people living with disability may require specialised assessment, training or vehicle modifications to achieve safe and independent driving. An Occupational Therapy Driver Assessment (OTDA) is a specialised functional capacity assessment that evaluates how a person’s disability affects the skills required for driving, and whether there are interventions that may enable them to drive safely.
An OT Driver Assessment may be appropriate for NDIS participants who:
- wish to learn to drive and have a disability that may affect driving performance;
- wish to return to driving following the onset of disability, injury or illness; or
- require assessment to determine whether vehicle modifications, specialised driving lessons or other supports may assist them to drive safely.
The assessment considers the functional impact of a person’s disability on driving performance. Depending on the individual’s circumstances, this may include areas such as vision, cognition, attention, executive functioning, information processing, physical function, reaction time and the ability to safely manage the complex demands of driving. The assessment also considers whether compensatory strategies, rehabilitation, specialised driver training or vehicle modifications may address any identified barriers to driving.
Importantly, an Occupational Therapy Driver Assessment is not simply a driving test. It is a comprehensive medico-legal assessment that determines whether a person’s disability affects their capacity to drive safely and, where appropriate, identifies the most suitable pathway towards driving. For some people, this may involve recommendations for specialised driving lessons or vehicle modifications. For others, the assessment may conclude that driving is not currently safe, or is unlikely to become safe despite intervention.
Depending on the complexity of the person’s presentation, more than one assessment or review may be required to fully determine driving capacity or monitor progress following intervention.
Can the NDIS fund an OT Driver Assessment?
In many cases, yes.
Occupational Therapy Driver Assessments are commonly funded through an NDIS participant’s Capacity Building budget where the support is considered reasonable and necessary, aligns with the participant’s NDIS goals, and sufficient funding is available within their plan.
If specialised driving lessons, vehicle modifications or assistive technology are recommended following assessment, these supports may also be eligible for NDIS funding, subject to NDIS criteria and approval processes.
If you are unsure whether you have sufficient funding available, we are happy to provide a fee estimate that you can discuss with your Support Coordinator or Plan Manager.
Before you can undertake an assessment
Before an Occupational Therapy Driver Assessment can be booked, participants must:
- hold a current learner licence or driver licence (or have obtained temporary licensing approval where applicable);
- obtain written medical clearance from their treating doctor confirming they are medically fit to undertake an Occupational Therapy Driver Assessment; and
- meet any licensing requirements of the relevant state licensing authority.
If your licence has been suspended or cancelled for medical reasons and aren’t sure how to proceed, feel free to contact us. We can explain the licensing process and the steps required to obtain temporary approval to undertake an Occupational Therapy Driver Assessment.
Because an Occupational Therapy Driver Assessment forms part of the medical licensing process, all participants must satisfy the relevant Austroads Assessing Fitness to Drive medical standards before the assessment can proceed.
Every person’s situation is different. If you would like to discuss your circumstances or determine whether an Occupational Therapy Driver Assessment is appropriate for you, please contact us for an obligation-free telephone consultation.