Driver Rehabilitation Program
The Driver Rehabilitation Program provides services to clients with medical conditions that may affect their driving ability.
GF Strong Driver Rehabilitation has worked with clients with various diagnoses, including, but not limited to: stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, amputation, achondroplasia, vision disorders and many others.
A Functional Driving Evaluation is completed to determine your potential to drive, and what steps, if any, are needed to reach the goal of driving. Additional steps may include on-road rehabilitation, prescription of adaptive driving equipment or vehicle modifications. The program provides assessment and training in a car (with or without adaptive equipment) or a wheelchair-accessible van.
The Driver Rehabilitation Program also completes Vehicle Modification Assessments which provide an assessment of the best vehicle and equipment to help you access your vehicle (get in/out) and take any necessary mobility aids with you (walker, scooter, wheelchair).
For the greatest chance of success, the timing of driver rehabilitation is important. Please work with your primary healthcare team to determine the right time for driver rehabilitation. To access the program, you must be referred by a physician or a registered healthcare professional. The referral form is under Resources.
GF Strong Driver Rehabilitation is an approved service provider with RoadSafetyBC.
What to expect
Clients will be assessed by an occupational therapist with advanced training in driver rehabilitation.
The Functional Driving Evaluation examines the physical, cognitive and visual skills that may impact driving performance. The evaluation has two parts:
- In-clinic evaluation – This reviews the person’s medical history and driving history. The physical, visual and cognitive skills for driving are tested. There is no way to study for these tests. The best way to prepare is to follow your healthcare team’s recommendation on when to be assessed and to get a good rest the night before. The in-clinic evaluation will take 2 – 2.5 hours to complete.
- On-road evaluation – This is completed with the occupational therapist and a driver instructor affiliated with GF Strong. You will use the centre’s assessment vehicle. You will drive for approximately 60 minutes, beginning in residential areas to get familiar with the vehicle and will progress to more difficult roads as you are able to do so.
At the end of the evaluation, the results will be discussed with you. Possible results are:
- You are ready to drive, with RoadSafetyBC’s approval
- You require on-road rehabilitation. This can be provided through GF Strong.
- You are not safe to drive at this time.
A report of the assessment results will be sent to RoadSafetyBC, the referral source and the client.
The Driver Rehab program is fee-for-service. Fees are not covered by the Medical Services Plan (MSP), even if the person receives income assistance. Clients must be prepared to privately pay or have a funding source.