Occupational Therapy Driving Assessment Clinic

Frequently Asked Questions

• What does the assessment involve?

  The assessment consists of two separate appointments:

  Part 1 – Off-road assessment

  This includes:

  • an interview regarding driving history, medical history, and medications
  • a physical assessment
  • a road law knowledge assessment.

  Part 2 – On-road assessment

  This is conducted with a driving instructor in a dual-control driving school vehicle (automatic or manual). The occupational therapist is seated in the back and assesses the possible effects your injury or illness may have on your ability to drive safely.

• What are the possible outcomes of the assessment?

  After the assessment the occupational therapist will recommend one of the following:

  • You are safe to drive with no further action.
  • You require a conditional restricted licence, e.g. driving in a specified local area, or only driving during the day.
  • Your driving requires improvement. You may require driving lessons with a driving instructor – The occupational therapist will reassess your driving after the lesson(s).
  • You are not safe to continue driving. Your licence will be suspended or cancelled. This may be reviewed if your medical condition or functional ability improves.

  The occupational therapist may also make the following recommendations:

  • You need to have your driving reassessed regularly (e.g. annually) due to your medical condition.
  • You need adaptations or specialised equipment fitted to your car – Driving lessons will be necessary to learn how to drive safely with these adaptations.

  Following the assessment, a report describing your driving and the recommendations made by the occupational therapist is sent to the VicRoads Medical Review Department.

• What do you need to bring to the assessment?
  • Driver’s licence
  • Correspondence from VicRoads
  • Medical or vision reports
  • List of current medications
  • Spectacles/contact lenses (reading and distance)
  • Hearing aid
  • Payment