What does a medical driving assessment involve?
OTRS medical driving assessments are conducted by one of our specialist occupational therapists. There are two components to the assessment: we usually start with an off-road assessment in our office, which may take up to two hours. After that, we'll take you for an on-road driving assessment.
1. The off-road assessment
Takes about 40-60 minutes
Checks your physical ability to operate a vehicle
May include a short memory test.
We use the off-road assessment to check your physical, thinking and decision-making abilities. The therapist is likely to ask you:
Where you normally drive
What type of car you drive
Whether your driver’s licence is current
If you have any physical problems that may affect your driving, such as limited movement, strength or co-ordination
Whether there are any problems with your vision.
It's a comprehensive assessment of:
Vision (basic screening)
Physical function such as range of movement, strength, sensation and co-ordination
Judgement
Memory
Movement and decision making times
How your mind understands what you see
Knowledge of road rules and signs.
2. The on-road assessment - drive
Takes about 40-60 minutes
Is completed with a professional driving instructor and occupational therapist
Will include usual driving environments and is usually undertaken in your own car
Is NOT a driving licence test.
We use the on-road driving assessment to check the impact of disability, illness or aging on your medical fitness to drive.
What happens during the drive?
During the on-road assessment, you will be accompanied by a trained instructor and an OTRS occupational therapist.
The driving instructor will sit beside you and give directions about where to drive and when to turn.
The occupational therapist will be assessing your medical fitness to drive.
The assessment includes a range of driving situations such as high and low speed zones, controlled and uncontrolled intersections, parking and manoeuvring.
It will also include situations that you would normally face when driving in your local area, such as the local shopping area and suburban back streets, and may include the motorway or highway if appropriate.
After the assessment
We’ll discuss our findings and professional recommendations with you.
We will also give you a written report, which will automatically be copied to your doctor. Your doctor reviews the report, and then decides whether or not he/she considers you medically fit to drive.
A copy of the report is also forwarded to the New Zealand Transport Association (NZTA) who, based on the assessment report and your medical situation, decide if any conditions should be placed on your licence.
What does it cost?
The cost varies based on a number of factors, so please call us on 0800 687 748 to discuss or complete our Referral Form now.
