What Is the Driving Rehabilitation Program? 聽聽聽
Safe driving requires certain physical, visual, and cognitive (thinking) skills. The Drive Rehab Program at Sugar House Health Center helps ensure you have those skills.
Our program includes two main services: driving evaluations and driving rehabilitation.
Driving Evaluation
A driving evaluation assesses your driving safety and skills. It includes two parts that occur in one day: a clinical, in-office assessment of your physical, visual, and cognitive skills, then a road test.
An occupational therapist is in the passenger鈥檚 seat during your road test. Our specialized occupational therapist assesses you for driving safety. After the driving evaluation, the therapist shares recommended next steps. A driving evaluation is also called a driving assessment.
We evaluate all drivers who may have challenges affecting their driving skills, whether or not they have a medical diagnosis.
Driving Rehabilitation聽聽聽
Driving rehab may be part of your care plan for a neurological injury or condition. You get ongoing, one-on-one treatment with an occupational therapist.
Your rehab plan may include using our driving simulator. The simulator is a tool in your provider鈥檚 office that mimics real-time driving.
Driving rehab may also include a behind-the-wheel assessment to evaluate your on-road safety. Your therapist may also determine whether you need adaptive equipment
Why Choose 麻豆学生精品版?
Our Driving Rehabilitation Program uses research-based tools and approaches to keep you safe. Our occupational therapist has additional certification as a driving rehab specialist. Our adapted vehicle uses the latest technology and highest-tech equipment. We focus on empowering you to get on the road when possible. Our approach prioritizes safety while offering thorough evaluations and making informed recommendations.
Who Needs a Driving Assessment/Evaluation?
We offer driving assessments for any driver with any concern. For example, older adults who may want to check the sharpness of their driving skills.
A driving assessment may also benefit you if you have a physical, visual, cognitive, or social challenge that affects your driving. It may be appropriate for people with specific conditions:
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Brain injuries or other brain conditions
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Cerebral palsy
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Developmental delays
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Traumatic injuries, such as concussions
What to Expect During an Occupational Therapy Driving Assessment
An occupational therapy driving assessment includes two parts:
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Clinical assessment
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On-the-road assessment
Clinical Assessment
The occupational therapist uses in-office tools to check your skills:
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Cognition (thinking)
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Physical abilities
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Reaction
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Vision
You may also use the driving simulator. Patients who have ongoing driver rehabilitation get their clinical assessment with their usual therapist. Then, they have their on-the-road test with our certified driving rehab specialist (CDRS), an occupational therapist with extra training in real-time driving assessments.
People who come to us only for a driving evaluation do their clinical and on-the-road assessments with our CDRS.
On-the-Road Assessment
You drive on the road with our CDRS in our adapted 2025 Toyota Rav4. We do not use patients鈥 personal vehicles. We perform all driving evaluations in our adapted vehicle, even if you don鈥檛 need any of its special tools.
The adapted vehicle allows you to use special hand controls, pedal systems, and other tools when needed. These adaptive controls allow people with physical injuries or conditions to practice, train, and drive safely. It also allows your occupational therapist to brake the car from the passenger seat if necessary. The passenger braking system is an additional tool that offers peace of mind when learning to drive in a different way.
Drive Safety Computer Driving Simulator
The driving simulator is an important tool that we use for both driving evaluations and driving rehab. It allows you to practice and test for many driving-related activities in a safe environment:
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Driving to avoid hazards
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Freeway driving
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Operating pedals
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Reaction time
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Steering
You also get to experience adaptive controls before you get behind the wheel. These can include a hand control or left-footed pedal.
What Happens After a Driving Assessment?
Your occupational therapist shares their findings with you. They will also inform your family and referring physician when applicable. They may recommend next steps to improve your driving skills or safety:
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Adaptive equipment鈥Your occupational therapist shares the specific type, make, and model of the equipment they recommend to make driving safer for you. They may also advise which vendors to use or where to go for equipment installation.
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Driving training鈥We offer one-hour driving training blocks with an instructor, when appropriate.
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Private training programs鈥Several private driving education agencies offer ongoing driving programs.
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Restrictions or retirement鈥Your occupational therapist may recommend limiting or stopping driving.
We don鈥檛 report our findings to the Driver License Division. Therapists also can鈥檛 issue or take away any driver鈥檚 licenses.
Does Health Insurance Cover Driving Evaluations?
Most health insurance companies, including Medicare and Medicaid, do not cover driving evaluations. Workers鈥 compensation carriers or vocational rehabilitation programs sometimes pay for them. We will discuss cost and payment options with you before your appointment.
Schedule an Appointment at the Driving Rehab Program
Call 801-581-2221 to make a Driving Rehabilitation Program appointment. You don鈥檛 need a provider referral.