Evaluation of driving

Have you noticed changes to your physical or mental state?

Have you noticed changes

Have you noticed changes to your physical or mental state? Have people close to you OR you yourself noticed changes in your ability to drive safely? An evaluation of driving ability might be a good idea for you.

Certain signs may reveal a manner of driving that has changed and which may be, in some cases, dangerous.

We have good news!

With a specifically qualified occupational therapist, you can obtain help in evaluating your capacity to drive in a safe and secure manner. The evaluation consists of a series of tests designed to determine a person’s abilities in relation to their physical and cognitive reactions in certain contexts. The evaluation allows the OT to obtain a global portrait of the functional abilities of the person, in this case as related to driving.

During a follow-up, recommendations are provided to optimize your safety at the wheel or to assist you in finding other methods of safe transportation.

What does this type of evaluation look like?

The evaluation is spread over two sessions

During the first appointment the occupational therapist proceeds with tests in a private evaluation room for a period of two hours. The procedure is intended to fully appreciate the physical and cognitive capacities of the client in order to determine their functional abilities as they relate to driving an automobile.

During the second appointment, a road test of 45 minutes to 1 hour takes place accompanied by a driving instructor. This test is designed to evaluate technical skills, one’s capacity to operate a vehicle, driving strategies, as well as respect for traffic regulations and driving behaviour of the client. During the follow-up, the occupational therapist makes their recommendations to the SAAQ via report M-57. The SAAQ makes the final decision as to the maintenance of the drivers’ licence.

Who should be evaluated?

Any and all owners of a driver’s licence presenting with a change to their physical condition or following a new medical condition (trouble with memory loss or loss of vision in one eye are two good examples), must advise the SAAQ and may be required to complete this type of evaluation.

What is the cost of this evaluation?

The cost may vary depending on the type of evaluation or the medical condition of the driver. For further information, we invite you to communicate with a client service agent of one or the other of our two clinics.

What is a licence with the designation “s”?

The designation “S” is a special permit granted by the SAAQ in order to allow the client to drive; but, only in the presence of an occupational therapist or a driving instructor. If your licence is suspended, the occupational therapist must order this special permit in order to proceed with a road evaluation.