Occupational Therapy and Driving

Staying connected to your community is an important part of your well-being. For most of us, driving our own car is how we stay mobile and on the go. Driving is how we see the people we want to see and how we do the things we want to do at our convenience. But changes in our physical, mental, and sensory abilities can challenge our continued ability to drive safely.

Role of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists trained in driver rehabilitation understand the critical demands of driving and how our ability to move about our community affects the quality of our lives. These occupational therapists have the skills to evaluate an individual's overall ability to operate a vehicle safely, and, where appropriate, to provide rehabilitation to strengthen skills used in driving.

Occupational therapists have the science-based knowledge to understand progressive conditions and life changes that can affect driving. Because occupational therapists take the time to understand the role that driving plays in your life, they are able to help individuals make a smoother transition from driving to using other forms of transportation. In doing so, they help people maintain their autonomy, independence, and sense of worth.