Pre-Driving Assessment

To make a referral, call 706-823-8504.

For adults recovering from disability, their second highest priority is typically being able to drive.

A pre-driving assessment can help determine if an individual with a disability can resume driving as an activity of daily living. Offered by an Occupational Therapist (O.T.), a pre-driving assessment is comprised of a battery of tests designed to measure an individual's readiness for an on-the-road evaluation. Testing considers the physical, neurological, emotional and cognitive "fitness" required for safe vehicle operations, including abnormalities in vision and spatial awareness as well as problems with attention and response time that indicate decreased safety on the road. Testing also considers guidelines from the Department of Motor Vehicles, such as vision requirements and seizure precautions.

The Pre-Driving Assessment at Walton Rehabilitation Health System requires two hours of testing, including strength, coordination and sensorimotor skills; visual acuity and perception; brake reaction speed; cognitive-perceptual skills, risk-taking tendencies and road sign/traffic knowledge. Once testing is completed, the individual receives a "Pass" or "Fail" rating, and recommendations are forwarded to the referring physician.

Depending on the results of the pre-driving assessment, a behind-the-wheel test may be required before returning to driving independently in the community.

"Pass" Rating

A referral source with contact information is provided for evaluation of behind- the-wheel vehicle operation skills (available locally). Vehicle modifications and the need for special adaptive driving devices such as hand controls and a left foot accelerator pedal are identified. CLIENTS ARE NOT CLEARED FOR DRIVING UNTIL ALL TESTING IS COMPLETED AND CLEARANCE IS GIVEN BY THE REFERRING PHYSICIAN.

"Fail" Rating

Recommendations may include the need for:

  1. Thorough eye examination
  2. Referral for Driver Re-Training (licensed driver) with an accredited driving school offering rehabilitative driver re-training,
  3. Referral for Driver Training (new driver) with an accredited driving school offering rehabilitative driving training
  4. Outpatient occupational therapy program designed for specific skill re-training and development i.e. visual perception, brake reaction speed, cognitive-perceptual skill, eye-hand coordination.