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OT driving assessment · Sydney & NSW

OT driving assessments for CTP and WorkCover referrals.

COH Rehab’s occupational therapists assess how injury may affect driving and provide practical recommendations. We welcome CTP and WorkCover referrals. Discuss the referral question, location, current licence status and funding requirements with our team.

Referral & enquiry Call 0477 224 404
At a glance

The pathway may include an off-road clinical assessment and an on-road assessment with a driver-trained occupational therapist and accredited driving instructor.

What is an OT driving assessment?

An occupational therapy driving assessment examines how physical, visual, cognitive and perceptual abilities affect practical driving. It is different from an ordinary driving test: the focus is the impact of an injury, disability or medical condition on safe driving and the supports that may help.

Transport for NSW advises that a doctor may recommend an occupational therapist driver assessment when a person needs to demonstrate fitness to drive. The occupational therapist provides assessment findings and recommendations; Transport for NSW remains responsible for licensing decisions.

Read the NSW Government driving-assessment guidance

Who may need an OT driver assessment?

  • People returning to driving after a car accident or other injury
  • Drivers whose cognition, memory, judgement or reaction time has changed
  • People with reduced movement, strength, coordination, sensation or vision
  • Drivers who may need vehicle modifications, hand controls or other adaptive equipment
  • People referred by a GP, specialist, insurer or Transport for NSW
  • Drivers who may benefit from retraining, graded lessons or confidence-building

CTP and WorkCover OT driving assessment referrals

After a motor vehicle accident or work injury, an OT driving assessment may help clarify how the injury affects driving and what further support may be appropriate. The referral should explain the driving concerns, relevant medical information and the questions the assessment needs to answer.

For CTP referrals, the insurer considers whether the proposed assessment is reasonable and necessary in relation to the motor accident injuries. For WorkCover referrals, confirm the relationship to the work injury, service scope and proposed costs with the insurer. Confirm written funding approval for the proposed assessment before proceeding. COH Rehab does not determine claim liability or licensing outcomes.

Read the NSW car accident help pathway

Assessment process

What happens during an OT driving assessment?

The exact pathway is tailored to the referral question and the person’s circumstances. Medical clearance and current licensing information may be required before any on-road component.

How to prepare for an OT driving assessment

01

Referral and document review

The OT reviews the referral question, medical information, driving history, licence status, insurer approval and any Transport for NSW correspondence.

02

Off-road clinical assessment

Assessment may consider vision, movement, strength, coordination, cognition, perception, attention, judgement, reaction time, road-law knowledge and insight.

03

On-road assessment

When required, practical performance is observed in a suitable dual-control vehicle by a driver-trained OT working with an accredited driving instructor.

04

Debrief and recommendations

The findings are explained and may lead to driving rehabilitation, lessons, vehicle modifications, licence conditions, further review, reassessment or alternative transport.

05

Report and next steps

A written report addresses the referral question and outlines next steps for the driver, treating practitioner, insurer and relevant authority.

Preparing for assessment

What information may be needed?

Having the right documents early can reduce delays. Depending on the referral, COH Rehab may request:

  • GP or specialist referral and relevant medical information
  • Current driver licence details and driving history
  • Transport for NSW letters, forms or medical-review requirements
  • Details of the injury or condition and current treatment
  • Information about existing vehicle modifications or adaptive equipment
  • Claim number, insurer contact and written funding approval where applicable

The NSW Government recommends speaking with a health professional about a medical assessment for fitness to drive. View the official medical-assessment guidance

Mobile service coverage

OT driving assessment referrals across Sydney and NSW.

Subject to therapist availability, assessment requirements and a suitable on-road arrangement, COH Rehab considers referrals across metropolitan Sydney and other NSW locations.

01

Inner West and Central Sydney

Including Strathfield, Burwood, Ashfield, Leichhardt, Marrickville and surrounding suburbs.

02

Western Sydney

Including Parramatta, Blacktown, Penrith, Auburn, Merrylands and surrounding suburbs.

03

South-West Sydney

Including Bankstown, Liverpool, Fairfield, Campbelltown, Canterbury and surrounding suburbs.

04

Greater Sydney and NSW

North, south and eastern Sydney locations and regional NSW referrals considered individually.

Ask whether we cover your area

Common questions

OT driving assessment Sydney FAQs.

Plain-English answers for drivers, families, GPs, insurers and referrers.

How much does an OT driving assessment cost in Sydney?

Ask for a quote based on the referral question and proposed assessment. Confirm whether it includes the off-road assessment, an on-road component and instructor where required, travel, the written report and any follow-up. If seeking insurer funding, confirm written approval before proceeding; do not assume every component is covered.

Can I enquire about a return-to-driving assessment near me?

Yes. Tell COH Rehab your suburb, the reason for assessment, your licence status and whether you have a GP or specialist referral. We can discuss the appropriate pathway and check therapist availability and suitable on-road arrangements. A driving assessment is not a guarantee of clearance to drive.

What is an OT driving assessment?

An OT driving assessment is a specialised occupational therapy assessment of how a medical condition, injury or disability may affect safe driving. It may include an off-road clinical assessment and, when required, an on-road assessment in a suitable dual-control vehicle.

Who can refer for an occupational therapy driving assessment?

Enquiries may come from the driver, a GP or specialist, an insurer, a rehabilitation provider or another treating professional. Medical clearance, a formal referral or insurer approval may be required before the assessment proceeds.

Does every assessment include an on-road drive?

Not always. The pathway depends on the referral question, available medical information and the person’s circumstances. When an on-road component is required, it is completed with a driver-trained occupational therapist and an accredited driving instructor in a suitable dual-control vehicle.

Can a CTP or WorkCover insurer fund an OT driving assessment?

An assessment may be considered where it relates to the motor accident or work injury and meets the relevant scheme requirements. Funding is not automatic. Confirm with the insurer which assessment components, report, travel and any instructor costs are approved before proceeding.

What can the occupational therapist recommend?

Recommendations may address driving lessons or rehabilitation, vehicle modifications, licence conditions, further medical review, reassessment, return to driving or alternative transport. Transport for NSW makes the final licensing decision.

What should I provide with a referral?

Useful information includes the referral question, medical and injury history, current licence status, driving history, relevant Transport for NSW correspondence, treating-doctor information and claim or insurer details where applicable.

OT driving assessment Sydney & NSW

Discuss suitability, funding and the referral pathway.

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