What To Expect With An OT Driving Assessment

 

There will be individuals who suffer hardships in life, and while they will act as setbacks, that should not deny them their independence. One of the important steps to regaining that independence is through a resource known as an Occupational Therapy (OT) driving assessment.

 

From issues surrounding age, injury, impairment or illness, having to manage a major health issue can be devastating for an individual to manage on a day to day basis. What an OT driving assessment can help to establish is a degree of competence and confidence for a citizen to transport themselves in spite of their ailment.

hand on the steering wheel

While those individuals will have experience accessing their license and running through the renewal process, undertaking an entirely new program can be daunting. Just what is involved with this initiative and how soon could you expect to be back out on the road after signing up?

 

Here we will outline just what you should be expecting from this program as you showcase your physical and cognitive skills once more.

 

2 Central Components

Your standard OT driving assessment will be comprised of two central components that will have to be passed in order for you to begin driving again. This is formulated from an on-road activity known as a practical driving assessment and an off-road activity that is also known as a clinical assessment. The average length of time to undertake this process is approximately 2.5 hours and will vary depending on the demand for the service on the day and the efficiency of the operation. A certified OT driver will conduct the on-road element as the instructor will help the individual cater their needs to the type of vehicle they require on the day. In some cases an additional driving aid is needed to fulfill the assessment, yet these are rare scenarios.

 

Variety of Services

With the industry of disability services being largely privatized, the OT driving assessment sector will give clients the chance to scour the market for a range of services. Whether you are based in a large city, a suburban location or a rural area, conducting a search for operators in your region should produce enough results to see what options are on hand. Prices will be mostly standardized across the board and will take into account your personal demands and requirements to pass the program.

 

Fast and Efficient Process

That average 2.5 hour time period for an OT driving assessment illustrates that the process for the most part is quick and efficient. Many operators will promote themselves as a service that offers a short waiting list and a fast turnaround time from the referral time to the conclusion of the program. This is an advantage of the privatized sector where companies must provide an incentive to be a consumer of their services.

 

Possibility of a Driver Rehabilitation Program

There will be recommendations in certain instances for a driver rehabilitation program to be involved following the OT driving assessment. This will occur when the driver needs a specialized mode of driving that suits their personal circumstances, perhaps including a modified vehicle. It will be a direct result of their physical and cognitive results of the program. Rather than being seen as a hindrance to the individual, it should be seen as an opportunity to be road-ready.

 

Assesses Your Outcomes

The OT driving assessment will work to assess your outcomes and results. The status of the license will be accepted, downgraded, modified, suspended or canceled. Whatever the result is, the individual will have the chance to take stock and embrace the next step.

 

Summary

The OT driving assessment is purely designed to get people back onto the road and give back their independence. Should you happen to tick all of the relevant boxes, then undertaking an OT driving assessment will be a helpful process to achieving that goal.