If age, a health condition or an injury may be affecting your driving, an occupational therapy driving assessment can help work out whether you can keep driving safely. In Brisbane, these assessments are carried out by occupational therapists with extra training in driver assessment, and they usually involve two parts. This article explains what the assessment involves, when it is helpful, your responsibilities in Queensland, and what happens once the assessment is complete, so you know what to expect.
TLDR
- An occupational therapy driving assessment checks whether you can drive safely after changes to your health, age or abilities.
- It has two parts: an off-road (clinical) assessment and an on-road driving assessment.
- The off-road part reviews your vision, thinking skills and physical function, and the on-road part looks at your driving in real traffic.
- In Queensland, drivers must tell Transport and Main Roads about medical conditions that may affect driving.
- Drivers aged 75 and over must carry a current medical certificate, which a doctor completes.
- Outcomes range from being fit to drive, to driving with conditions, to lessons, or a recommendation to stop.
- Phase One Therapy provides occupational therapy driving assessments for adults across Brisbane and surrounds.
What an OT driving assessment is
An occupational therapy driving assessment is a structured way of checking whether a person can drive safely. It looks at you and, where relevant, your vehicle, and it is carried out by an occupational therapist with additional training in driver assessment. The aim is to balance two things that both matter: your independence and safety on the road. Phase One Therapy offers occupational therapy driving assessments for adults, focusing on practical, everyday driving rather than a pass or fail test.
The assessment is not about catching people out. It is a supportive process that gathers clear information, so that any decision about driving is based on evidence rather than worry or guesswork.
When a driving assessment helps
A driving assessment can be useful whenever there is a question about whether driving is safe. This might follow a new diagnosis, a change in health, or a request from a doctor or the licensing authority. It can also support younger people learning to drive with a disability. Common reasons include those listed below.
- Older drivers whose doctor or the licensing authority has asked for a review
- People returning to driving after a stroke, brain injury or serious injury
- Those with neurological or progressive conditions that can affect driving
- Learner drivers from 16 with a disability or medical condition
- Anyone who, or whose family, has noticed changes in their driving
Your responsibilities in Queensland
In Queensland, driver licensing is managed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads. Drivers have a legal responsibility to report any permanent or long-term medical condition that may affect their ability to drive safely. A doctor completes a medical assessment and, if more information is needed, may recommend an occupational therapy driving assessment.
There is no upper age limit for driving in Queensland, as long as you can drive safely. However, drivers aged 75 and over must carry a current medical certificate whenever they drive. The medical standards used across Australia come from the Austroads guide, Assessing Fitness to Drive, which helps doctors and therapists apply consistent, national criteria.
The two parts explained
OTdriving assessments have two parts, completed by occupational therapists who assess driving. The off-road assessment comes first and builds a picture of your abilities. The on-road assessment then looks at how those abilities come together behind the wheel. The table below gives a quick overview.
| Assessment part | What it looks at |
| Off-road interview | Your medical history, driving history and goals |
| Vision screen | Whether your eyesight meets the driving standards. Typically supported by your Optrometrist |
| Physical assessment | Movement, strength, coordination and reaction |
| Cognitive assessment | Attention, memory, judgement and visual perception |
| On-road drive | Your driving skills and decisions in real traffic |
The off-road assessment
The off-road part is the talking and testing stage, often completed in a clinic or at home. It begins with a conversation about your medical and driving history and what you would like to keep doing. The occupational therapist then screens your vision, your physical function such as movement, strength, coordination and reaction time, and your thinking skills, including attention, memory and judgement. These results help plan a safe and fair on-road drive.
The on-road assessment
The on-road part is a practical drive, usually in a dual-control car with a qualified driving instructor alongside the occupational therapist. It generally starts on quieter streets and builds up to busier roads as appropriate. Rather than a formal licence test, it looks at everyday driving: following road rules, responding to hazards, making decisions and managing the vehicle. The dual controls are there to keep everyone safe.
Possible outcomes and conditions
The assessment can have several outcomes, and many people are able to keep driving. The occupational therapist considers the off-road and on-road findings together, then makes recommendations. Possible outcomes include those below.
- Fit to drive with no changes needed
- Fit to drive with conditions, such as an automatic vehicle, vehicle modifications, daytime only or a local area
- Further driving lessons or rehabilitation, followed by a re-assessment
- A recommendation to stop driving, with support to plan other options
The occupational therapist provides a report with these recommendations. The final licensing decision rests with Transport and Main Roads, which considers the report alongside your doctor’s information.
Vehicle modifications and driver rehabilitation
For some people, small changes make safe driving possible again. An occupational therapist can prescribe and trial driving assistive technology and vehicle modifications, such as hand controls, a left-foot accelerator or a steering aid, matched to your needs. Where skills need rebuilding, a period of driver rehabilitation or lessons can help, followed by a re-assessment to confirm safe driving. This approach supports independence while keeping safety front of mind.
What happens after the assessment
After the assessment, the occupational therapist prepares a written report explaining the findings and recommendations. This is shared with you and, where required, with Transport and Main Roads and the person who referred you. The report sets out clear next steps, whether that is continuing to drive, trialling modifications, or planning alternatives such as public transport, community transport or taxi subsidy schemes. If you are unsure what to expect, it can help to read through common questions about driving assessments beforehand.
Ready to explore a driving assessment?
Understanding how a driving assessment works can make the process feel far less daunting. It is a supportive, evidence-based way to answer an important question, and for many people it confirms they can keep driving, sometimes with helpful adjustments. Phase One Therapy provides occupational therapy driving assessments for adults across Brisbane and surrounds, with a person-centred approach. A conversation with a driver-trained occupational therapist can help you understand the right next step for your situation.
This article is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Requirements can change, so please check current Queensland Transport and Main Roads guidance and consult a qualified health professional for advice tailored to your individual needs.
