Melton & Geelong

Occupational Therapy Driving Assessments

An Occupational Therapy Driving Assessment is an assessment completed by a specialised Occupational Therapist to help people learn to drive if they have additional needs, or to return to driving after illness, injury or disability.

What a driving assessment involves:

  • Step 1: Get Ready to make a referral

    Before you complete your driving assessment you will need to obtain a VicRoads medical report from your General Practitioner that confirms you are medically fit to drive. You may also be required to obtain eyesight reports from an Optometrist if you have an eye condition.

    Your GP can find the form at VicRoads Fitness to Drive Form

  • Step 2: Complete a Referral

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    After you have received your medical report, you can make a referral at the bottom of this page.

    You will be prompted to upload your VicRoads medical report when you complete your referral.

    Once your referral has been submitted, Geronimo will contact VicRoads for consent to complete the driving assessment.

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  • Step 3: Off Road Assessment

    Your first appointment with the OT will be to complete an off-road assessment. This can take up to 1.5 hours and includes:

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    signing a service agreement

    confirming your medical and driving history

    a vision, cognition, and physical screen

    reviewing road knowledge

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    The off-road assessment is necessary to complete an on-road assessment.

  • Step 4: On Road assessment

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    An on-road assessment will be completed with a Driving Instructor and your OT in the Driving Instructor’s car.

    You will have the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the car before the assessment begins. The assessment will take approximately 45 minutes, during which you will complete a range of common driving skills, including parking, reversing and managing intersections.

    After your on-road assessment, you will receive feedback from both your OT and the Driving Instructor.

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  • Step 5: Post Assessment

    After you complete your on-road assessment, your OT will submit a report to VicRoads with the outcome of your assessment. Potential outcomes may include:

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    You are safe to drive

    You require support to improve your safety driving. Driving lessons will be recommended and you will need to be re-assessed.

    You require equipment or modifications to drive. You may require lessons to become familiar with the changes.

    You are safe to drive in some but not all conditions. You may have a restriction placed on your license i.e., only driving in your local area, only driving in a dual-controlled car.

    You did not demonstrate safe driving, and you will need your license suspended or cancelled.

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    If you are wanting NDIS funded driving lessons an additional report and quote will be submitted to NDIA by your OT. The NDIA will review the quote and either approve/deny funding your lessons.

Complete driving assessment referral

Pre-Driving Assessments

Geronimo offers pre-driving assessment consultations to support you with any questions you might have about getting your license, or helping you get to the stage where you are ready to do your driving assessment. A pre-driving assessment can also be completed to assess an individual’s readiness for learning to drive.

Your OT Driving Assessor can provide personalised advice and support on the process of getting your Learner or Probationary permit.

They will be able to provide you with a comprehensive overview of the process to obtain your license and answer any questions such as:

  • How do I know if I’m “ready” to drive?

  • How do I apply for my license and how will my disability impact the process?

  • Why are Occupational Therapy driving assessments required?

  • How can my current Occupational Therapist support me to get ready to drive?

  • How can my family support me to develop my driving skills?

Following your appointment, you will be provided with a summary letter, outlining what was discussed and any next steps/recommendations.

Your pre-driving consultation will be held over Zoom or phone call.

Want to learn or return to driving? Complete a Driving Assessment Referral here.

Submit referral

To request a copy of our service fees, please email hello@geronimo.net.au