Learn how to drive with NDIS Driver OT services
We’re lucky to live in Perth, but our urban sprawl and gaps in the public transport network means that most of us West Australians need access to a vehicle to get where we need to be.
So, what happens when you can’t drive due to a medical condition or disability, or if you require extra supports or equipment to gain your driver’s licence? In these circumstances, a Driver Trained Occupational Therapist can assist you to learn or return to driving by completing an Occupational Therapy Driver Assessment.
To make life simpler, Superyou Therapy has developed a holistic driver therapy program to help you no matter what your needs are.
Got a question about our OT driver assessments in Perth? Send us an enquiry, phone us on 08 6263 8623, or email us at hello@superyou.org.au!
Access our comprehensive suite of OT driving services in Perth
We’re dedicated to helping people with disability achieve independence and confidence on the road! Our Driver Trained Occupational Therapists help clients reach their goals in a range of different ways, including:
- Driver Assessments: to determine your potential to gain or maintain a driver’s licence – whether you’re new to driving or have been driving for years!
- Vehicle Modifications: to assess and recommend any vehicle modifications that will help you access and drive your vehicle.
- Capacity Building: So you’ll be able to build your capacity with our Driver Trained Occupational Therapists, who are also licensed driving instructors!
Want to learn how to drive in Perth? Here’s the first step!
Superyou Therapy’s experienced, Driver Trained Occupational Therapists provide support for first time drivers looking to learn how to drive but aren’t sure how their disability might impact.
We like to start the journey by performing an Occupational Therapy Driver Assessment (OTDA), as it helps you identify:
- Potential to drive – If you have physical or developmental disability, you may benefit from an OTDA to determine your potential to gain a driver’s licence and to link you with specialist supports to assist you to achieve your goal. This could include specialised driver training.
- Vehicle modification – If your disability impacts the ability to access or drive a standard vehicle, you may require vehicle modifications. These will be explored and trialled during your assessment to find which modification is best suited to your current and future needs.
Please note that clients must be 16 years old or over to complete the Occupational Therapy Driver Assessment (OTDA).
Please note: We do not require you to hold a learner’s permit in order to access our Occupational Therapy Driving Assessments, but you must be 16 years old or over to complete an OTDA.
Where the pursual of learning to drive is recommended, the assessment will also determine how your disability may impact driving and what strategies can be put in place to build capacity to a licensing standard.
What happens on the day of an OTDA?
Learning to drive is an exciting time in everyone’s life, but perhaps the most nerve-wracking part is actually passing the test! Knowing what to expect may help to calm some of those nerves.
The OTDA will be different depending on what the assessment is for. It is usually split into two meetings. In your initial meeting with the Driver Trained Occupational Therapist (DTOT) you will cover the following areas which will be conducted off – road at home or at one of our bases.
1. Goals and history
First things first, you will discuss your driving goals, current supports, and medical and driving history.
2. Skills and road rules
Next, the DTOT will complete a vision, physical, sensory, and cognitive assessment of the skills you need to drive.
Once the above information has been obtained, the DTOT will book in another meeting to go through the on–road component.
3. Hit the road!
Now, you’ll do the practical driving assessment (aka, the fun part!). This can look different for everyone. It may include passenger activities or driving a dual-control vehicle, where the driving instructor will take you through various intersections to test your skills.
During the on-road portion of your OTDA, you may discuss vehicle modifications and figure out what’s best for you and your needs. Your DTOT will then link you with relevant supports to help you achieve your goals.
Build your capacity to drive with our Driver-Trained OT Instructors!
Following an assessment, we will provide recommendations to build your driving capacity. This advice will vary for each individual based on their unique needs and circumstances.
The first step may be building your capacity to gain your learner’s permit by passing the Learner’s Theory Test with the Department of Transport.
Our Driver Trained Occupational Therapists are dual-trained, meaning they are all licensed Driving Instructors. We may offer a period of capacity building in one of our vehicles to build your readiness to drive, or assist with the beginning development of skills that may aid learning to drive with a private Driving Instructor or informal supports, such as a parent or guardian. All capacity building supports are goal-orientated and follow a therapy model.
We work quite closely with private Driving Instructors across Perth who deliver Specialised Driver Training. This means we may help to connect you with a Driving Instructor who can help to further build your skills along with your Driver Trained Occupational Therapist!
Support at every step to pass your Practical Driving Assessment!
All learner drivers need to complete a practical driving assessment with the Department of Transport in order to receive a licence. Don’t feel nervous about this assessment, because our aim is to not only help you prepare for success, but to ensure you are always safe and confident on the road once you commence driving!
You can read more information on the Department of Transport practical driving assessment and learning pathway here.
What about NDIS Vehicle Modifications?
So you’re ready to get on the road!
We’ll look at any vehicle modifications you might need so you can access and operate your vehicle safely and securely.
The aim of any vehicle modification solution is for all aspects of the task to be completed independently to enable complete freedom when travelling in the community.
We will conduct an assessment to identify the best solutions for you.
Vehicle modifications will differ depending on your individual requirements and may include a variety of assistive technology including hand controls, spinner knobs and left foot accelerators that allow you to drive the vehicle in an alternative way.
It may also include considering how you would transfer or access the vehicle and how you would stow your mobility device, such as a wheelchair or scooter.
Our Driver Trained Occupational Therapists are also specialised in the design of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAV) for driving and passenger transportation.
The assessment of vehicle modifications will vary depending on the equipment required. In most cases several sessions are completed in order to:
- Conduct a clinic-based assessment to consider the driving needs and functional challenges that may require addressing through assistive technology.
- Trial equipment options. There may be several types of equipment to trial, that cannot all be completed in the one session. We typically follow a process to trial simple solutions and then work our way towards higher-cost alternatives as needed.
- Meet with the vehicle modifier to discuss equipment preferences and assess the vehicle to confirm compatibility and positioning following fitment.
Helping you drive comfortably using vehicle modifications with our driver rehabilitation program
Our support doesn’t stop after the initial assessment. Whether you need to get comfortable using vehicle modifications or need rehabilitation as part of therapy, we can help.
We are proud to offer driving rehabilitation to build your capacity in-house with one of our Driver Trained Occupational therapists, who are also dual trained as a licensed Driving Instructor.
Our driving rehabilitation programs are goal-focused and follow a therapy model to be delivered through typical capacity building supports as part of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan or other funding arrangement.
We have four purpose-built vehicles that were proudly modified by Freedom Motors Australia, with a range of driving aids from Total Ability and Mobility Engineering.
How to get a license with driving aids
In most cases the practical driving assessment for using driving aids will be completed with your Driver Trained Occupational Therapist. Further information may be necessary from your treating doctor and the Department of Transport, who make the final licensing decision.
There are times when the Department of Transport may request that the candidate also conducts one of their own practical driving assessments from a licensing centre; for example, learner drivers who must complete their practical driving assessment through the traditional Department of Transport licensing pathway.
Need help modifying your own vehicle?
Your Driver Trained Occupational Therapist will work closely with you and a vehicle modifier to identify a solution for your function and vehicle through the assessment process.
Funding bodies such as the NDIS and other’s will modify your vehicle providing it meets value for money. Value for money refers to the equipment being reasonable and necessary due to your disability, demonstrating a relationship towards the achievement of your goals, the vehicle age and expected longevity.
You can take a look at more information on driving and vehicle modification supports here on the NDIS website.
Do I need a referral?
At Superyou Therapy, our OT driver assessment services in Perth are available for everyone. No referral is needed. OT services are funded from your NDIS capacity-building budget.
Got any questions for us? Contact us at 08 6263 8623 or email us at hello@superyou.org.au!
Our parent company, PeopleKind Group, has 70 years of experience in the WA disability sector. We are proudly West Aussie owned and operated!
