Programs and Services

Driving Rehabilitation Service

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Overview

The Driving Rehabilitation Service helps people whose illness or disability may affect their ability to drive safely. 

We have been offering this service since 1973.

An occupational therapist will assess your ability to operate a vehicle and determine whether driver training could help you improve. If needed, we also provide support with adaptive driving equipment and teach you new driving techniques.

This service is approved by both the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and La Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec.

A person in a wheelchair transfers themself into the driver’s seat of a red car parked in an accessible parking spot, with the driver’s door open and greenery visible in the background.

Who we serve

The Driving Rehabilitation Service is designed for:

  • People with physical, cognitive or behavioural challenges that may affect their ability to drive safely.
  • People with vision loss who have been approved by the MTO to take a driving evaluation through the vision waiver program.

Team

Our occupational therapist is certified by the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED) and is also a member of the following associations:

  • National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA).
  • Standing committees affiliated with Transport Canada’s Transportation Development Centre.
  • Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

Assessment

All patients must undergo a driving evaluation by an occupational therapist that specializes in rehabilitation. The evaluation consists of two parts:

Pre-driving evaluation

This two-hour assessment takes place at the Occupational Therapy Department in a driving simulator.  The occupational therapist assesses your physical and cognitive abilities and knowledge of road rules.

In-car evaluation

This one-hour session is done by an occupational and a licensed driving instructor. It takes place in a vehicle with a dual brake and any needed adaptive equipment.

Icon Footnote

OHIP does not cover the cost of a driving evaluation; fees vary depending on the assessment required.

We will go over the results of the evaluations with you and then send those results to the MTO or La Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec. Those agencies make the final decision regarding the status of the client’s licence.

Referrals

All patients must be referred to the program by a physiatrist or another physician. They must also submit the results of a recent eye examination showing that their vision meets all necessary provincial requirements.

Contact us

The Occupational Therapy Department

613-737-7350 ext. 75359

The Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre
505 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON  K1H 8M2