According to the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED), a driver evaluation comprehensively assesses an individual’s current abilities and/or potential to become a safe and independent driver as well as the type of vehicle and/or modifications that are needed.
The evaluation is also important for those who need to replace their equipment or when drivers experience a change in physical function. If appropriate, it predicts the effectiveness of future driver training or classroom education (with or without an adaptive driving device).
As they pertain to the functional skills necessary to safely operate a motor vehicle, the driver evaluation includes:
- Screening: medical history, driving history, driver license status, etc.
- Clinical evaluation: physical functioning, vision and visual perception, and assessment of cognition, etc.
- Wheelchair seating (where applicable)
- On-road assessment: testing the individual in an actual driving situation using equipment similar to that which will be recommended.
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A Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS) should perform this evaluation. They can soundly judge the driver’s ability to drive and what adaptive driving equipment is needed as well as provide any necessary training on the adaptive equipment. Your local Mobility Resource Dealer can direct you to the closest CDRS.
For more information on driver evaluations, you can visit the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists official website at www.aded.net or visit your local Mobility Resource Dealer.
When Should a Driver Be Evaluated?
We highly recommend that a driver be evaluated prior to or at the time of installation of any adaptive equipment. Your local Mobility Resource Dealer will normally require that a person receive driver evaluation and training whenever steering, accelerator or braking modifications are to be installed in a person’s vehicle.
The Mobility Resource Dealer will take all the steps needed to make sure that you get back out on the road safely with your lowered-floor van conversion, wheelchair lift, scooter lift, tie downs, hand controls or other adaptive equipment.
Evaluating for the Effects of Aging on Driving
As we all age, changes occur in physical function, vision, perception and processing abilities that could make driving unsafe. While changes are inevitable, they occur at different rates in each individual, and age alone is not a sufficient indicator of an individual’s driving skills. Most often, these changes occur slowly over a long period of time and the individual may learn to compensate for minor deficits.
If several skill areas are affected, or there is a sudden change in abilities due to illness or disease, driving may become impaired. An evaluation is recommended if the driver displays any of the following warning signs:
- Doesn’t observe signs, signals or other traffic
- Needs help or instructions from passengers
- Makes slow or poor decisions (poor judge of distances, too close to other cars)
- Gets easily frustrated or confused
- Frequently gets lost, even in familiar areas
- Drives at inappropriate speeds (too fast or too slow)
- Has poor road position or makes wide turns
- Has accidents or near misses
- Drifts across lane markings into other lanes
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What Training Is Available After Adaptive Equipment Is Installed on My Vehicle?
Driver training may be required, whether you have adaptive equipment or not. It is provided following successful completion of a driver evaluation. The training program must provide a vehicle that is matched to the driver’s individual needs. The driver training plan must assist the client in developing behind-the-wheel competency in a full range of realistic road environments and providing assistance to obtain or maintain a properly restricted driver’s license. Licensure may or may not be required before vehicle modification recommendations are provided. Some individuals may need additional training in their own vehicle after modifications are completed.
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