Start Your Own - OT Clinic Based - Driving Risk Assessment

Take this 25 hour, online training to sharpen your OT assessment skills. Learn to complete a Driving Risk Assessment, explore therapy interventions, and know how & when to refer to a driver specialist. BONUS gain the foundational skills to progress onto Part 2: OT Driver Rehabilitation Specialist training.

  • 25 hours online.

    Enjoy learning at your own pace, online, on-demand.

  • Education for the OT

    Learn the ins & outs of how to establish & complete your own OT driving risk assessment.

  • Gain Foundational Skills

    Build a strong foundation. Continue onto Part 2 Training to become a driver specialist.

  • The occupational therapists performs quadrant visual field testing to help determine functional visual field.
  • A client completes a visual perceptual screen with the occupational therapist.

Part 1 Driving Risk Assessment Training

Learning Objectives

Following this course, the participant will be able to:

  • Explain the unique value occupational therapy expertise brings to driving rehabilitation.
  • Apply current occupational therapy evidence-based research/practice to assess driving risk.
  • Explore and compare/contrast the components of a driving risk assessment completed by the generalist and comprehensive driving evaluation completed by a specialist (clinical evaluation & behind-the-wheel evaluation).
  • Given a client scenario, select the most appropriate evaluation techniques and treatment interventions to assess a client's potential.
  • Recognize impairments in performance skills that indicate the need for driving retirement and practice specific strategies for addressing this difficult topic.
  • Explore basic driver rehab technology equipment options used by an OT DRS. 
  • Identify the value of developing collaborative relationships with industry vendors and regulatory bodies, and the strategies that can be used to support community mobility for your clients. 
  • Identify characteristics of quality documentation and resources, including code of ethics and practice standards, to shape documentation and program development.
  • AOTA Approved Provider #6874 Adaptive Mobility Services, LLC is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. PD activity approval ID# 0000006660. This Distance Learning-Independent activity is offered at 0.3 CEUs, introductory level, OT Service Delivery/Foundational Knowledge. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.
  • ADED CHAP Provider #63563136. Adaptive Mobility Services, LLC is an ADED CHAP Provider. ADED does not endorse specific course content, products, or clinical procedures. The assignment of CEUs/contact hours does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by either group.

Course Description

Explore the meaning of driving and community mobility: how driving inspires independence, contributes to self- identity, and influences participation in other meaningful life activities. We will introduce the unique framework of occupational therapy and how this framework structures the process for completion of a quality driving risk assessment.

As we go through this course, we will examine the assessment process for driving risk from beginning to end.  We will discuss strategies for initiating a driving conversation and conducting an initial interview.  We will then review the performance skills, client factors, and environmental factors that impact driving risk and potential. Specific assessment tools will be described and demonstrated, and we will discuss current research regarding test norms as they relate to guiding clinical reasoning and the determination of driving risk. 

Next, we will describe diagnosis-specific conditions to consider for determining driving risk and potential. How does stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or dementia impact driving?  We will discuss these conditions and more. We will review a process for formulating clinical decisions for driving risk, including considerations for OT interventions to prepare your client, possible adaptive equipment solutions that may be recommended by the specialist, and alternative community mobility options.   

This course will prepare you, the occupational therapy practitioner, to address driving risk in the clinic! You will gain the tools needed, from intake to evaluation to intervention, to prepare your client for the in-car assessment with a driver rehabilitation specialist.  

Occupational therapy practitioners who complete Part 1 are armed with the knowledge needed to screen for driving risk and know how and when to refer to a DRS/CDRS.  

OTs who complete Part 1 and are interested in advancing into the field of driving rehabilitation are eligible for  Part 2: OT Driver Rehabilitation Specialist Training (online & live hands-on training). 

Course Outline

•    OTP's Role with Driving: General practice versus specialist

•    Driving Risk Assessment versus Comprehensive Driving Evaluation 

•    Initiating the Evaluation Process 

•    Evaluation using the Clinical Interview 

•    Evaluation of Visual & Hearing performance Skills for Driving & Community Mobility 

•    Evaluation of Physical Performance Skills for Driving & Community Mobility 

•    Evaluation of Cognitive Performance Skills for Driving & Community Mobility

•    Summarizing the Clinical Process

•    Population Specific Considerations for Driving

•    Foundational Driving Resources to Guide OT Practice


Adaptive Mobility is Your Approved Provider

Presenters & Authors: Susan Pierce, OTR/L, SCDCM, FAOTA, CDRS. Susan Touchinsky, OTR/L, SCDCM, CDRS. Wendy Starnes, OTR/L, SCDCM, DRS.

  • AOTA CEUs/Contact Hours: 2.5 CEU/25 contact hours

  • Online Publication: 12/2018. 1/2021 update; Date & Location: ongoing, online.

  • Target Audience: Occupational therapy practitioners

  • Level of learning/education level: introductory. No prerequisites.

  • Instructional Method: online course, independent learning.

  • AOTA Classification Codes: OT Process (evaluation) & Domain of OT (area of occupation, performance skills).

  • Course Completion Requirements: Learner will review full presentation, handout, & complete post exam and AOTA APP provider survey.

  • CE Provider & Contact: Adaptive Mobility Services, CE Administrator: [email protected]

Looking for more?

Follow Our 3 Part Process to Advance Your Career. Part 1 Driving Risk Assessment. Part 2 OT Driver Rehabilitation Specialist Training. Part 3 Mentorship.
Take the first course today - FREE!

Cancellation, Refund, Special Needs Requests, Disclosures, & Disclaimers: Please visit main page for full details.