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Outpatient Services/Clinics

Driver Evaluation Program

401-788-2289

The Driver Evaluation Program provides a comprehensive occupational therapy clinical evaluation and an on-the-road assessment to determine an individual's driving ability and the need for equipment modifications.

Who will benefit from the Driver Evaluation Program?
Driving is a complex task requiring quick responses to road situations and intact processing skills. The Driving Evaluation Program was developed to meet the needs of new drivers with developmental disabilities; drivers with diagnoses that impact on their ability to operate a motor vehicle; and seniors considering retirement from driving.

About the program
The Driver Evaluation Program is coordinated by a certified driver rehabilitation specialist, and consists of a clinical evaluation and an on the road assessment.

• Clinical Evaluation
  An occupational therapist assesses the skills necessary for the operation of a motor vehicle, including strength, range of motion, coordination, vision, cognition, perception, and brake reaction time.



• On the Road Evaluation
  An occupational therapist and a licensed driver instructor evaluate the individual's driving skills. The evaluation is done in the driver instructor's car, which is equipped with a trainer's brake and adaptive equipment.

Program recommendations
At the completion of the Driver Evaluation Program, a recommendation may be made for the individual to resume driving; to participate in a therapy program to improve skills that impact on driving; to take driving lessons; to use special adaptive equipment for driving; or to retire from driving.