Driving Assessment Program

Our approach to driving assessment and rehabilitation

We begin with a clinical assessment and, when needed, coordinate an in-vehicle evaluation. Our team then provides clear recommendations, including rehabilitation, adaptive equipment, or alternative transportation.

Comprehensive assessment

We start with a clinical assessment that takes one to two hours. Following this, a person may be recommended for an in-vehicle assessment coordinated between the patient, their family/support, the occupational therapist, and the partnered driving school or certified driving rehabilitation specialist.

Tailored recommendations

Following both assessments, recommendations are made and range from resuming driving with recommendations or requirements, pursuing driving rehabilitation, pursuing adaptive equipment training or vehicle modifications, pursuing continued therapy, or refraining from driving.

In cases where driving is not recommended, alternative transportation options will be discussed to ensure continued community mobility. Final recommendations are forwarded to referring physicians and, in some cases, the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

Different levels of care

Spaulding sites offer different levels of Driving Assessment and Rehabilitation services:

1. Occupational therapist: Completes a Clinical Driving Evaluation and when appropriate will refer for an in vehicle driving evaluation to a partnered local driving school.
2. Occupational therapist/certified driving rehabilitation specialist: Completes a clinical driving evaluation and when appropriate will refer for an in-vehicle driving evaluation, evaluate driving along with the partnered local driving school, and make driving and/or adaptive equipment recommendations.
3. Occupational therapist/certified driving rehabilitation specialist/professional driving instructor: Completes a clinical driving evaluation and an in-vehicle driving evaluation and driving rehabilitation using an on-site Spaulding driving instruction vehicle. This level also makes driving and/or adaptive equipment recommendations and provides driving training with adaptive equipment (hand controls, left foot accelerator, steering knob, etc.).