Driving Assessment Referral

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Occupational Therapy Driving Assessors work towards identifying cognitive, sensory, visual and environmental factors that may impact an individuals capacity to learn or to continue to drive in a safe and competent way. From this, the Occupational Therapists can support participants in adapting or modifying the environment or task, as well as working with individuals to help them meet their driving goals.

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Step 1 - VicRoads Medical Clearance 

• Contact your GP and ask for a VicRoads Medical Clearance 
  • When booking your appointment make sure you tell the clinic that you are wanting to discuss a 'VicRoads Medical Clearance' and might need a longer appointment. 
  • Talk to your GP about your diagnosis and why you require an OT driving assessment. 

Please note, all medical reports need to be dated within the last six months. Should you have a psychiatric condition or eyesight condition, VicRoads may also require additional psychiatric and eyesight reports.

Vic Roads Medical Clearance form

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Step 2 - Complete a 'Step 2 OT' driving assessment referral  

Once you have obtained the VicRoads Medical report from your GP, you can submit a referral through the online referral

• Please ensure you have your licence/learners permit number and if applicable your NDIS plan details
• We will be in contact for any additional information or clarification we may require.

Step 2 OT - driving assessment referral

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Step 3 - Off road assessment 

​The Off-Road Driving Assessment is completed in the 'Step 2 OT' office. It is a face to face session with our OT driving assessor Ellie Trewin. These sessions can take up to 1.5 hours and usually consist of the following:

• An interview to collect information regarding your medical and driving history.
• A vision and hearing test.
• A physical, medication, sensory and cognitive screen.
• A written and visual road law test

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Step 4 - On road assessment 

The on-road assessment is completed with your OT driving assessor (Ellie Trewin) and your Driving Instructor of choice.
Ellie will sit in the back seat and the Driving Instructor will be in the passenger seat of their dual control car.
After the on road assessment has been completed a report will be sent to VicRoads. If applicable, the report will also be sent to the NDIS, along with a quote from the Driving Instructor.

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Step 5 - Post assessment outcome 

​Once your assessment has been completed, we will provide VicRoads with an Occupational Therapist driver evaluation report with recommendations. Your report provided by our Occupational Therapists may recommend one of the following:

• You are safe to drive, and we will advise VicRoads to re-instate your license. Please note this can take up to two weeks to be processed.
• You're safety in controlling the vehicle requires improvement. Driving lessons are to be organised. 
• Specialised equipment is required to be fitted to your car e.g., hand controls, left foot accelerator. This may require further lessons to learn how to drive the vehicle with the new controls. 
• You are safe to drive given licence restrictions e.g., no night driving or local area only.
• It is unsafe for you to continue driving at this stage; therefore, VicRoads will be advised your licence will be suspended or cancelled.

Once your assessment has been completed, we will provide NDIS with an Occupational Therapy Driver evaluation report with recommendations, these recommendations may include: 

• For NDIS participants who hold a Learner license and require additional lessons a quote and a report for will be sent to the NDIS. Approval from the NDIS can take up to several months to obtain and we cannot proceed until approval is granted.