OT Driver Assessments
Confident and Independent driving.
OT Driver Assessments in Busselton and South West WA — Fitness to Drive assessments for older drivers and return-to-driving after injury or illness, and the Road to Independence Program for learner drivers with a disability. Accepting referrals from GPs, specialists, NDIS LAC's and Support Coordinators, and families.
Our Services
Two pathways, one team
FITNESS TO DRIVE
Older Driver & Return-to-Driving Assessment
An independent assessment for drivers aged 80+ or those returning to driving after a medical event.
INCLUDES
1. Off-road clinical assessment
Vision, cognition, road rules & physical screening
2. On-road assessment
With OT & qualified driving instructor in dual controlled vehicle
3. Written report
Provided to GP & submitted to DTMI as required
LEARNER DRIVERS
Road to Independence
Supporting young people and adults with a disability or medical condition to work toward their licence. No permit required to begin
THREE WAYS TO START
1. Drive Ready Screening
Brief OT screening — is now the right time?
2. Drive Ready Assessment
Comprehensive 4-stage OT assessment
3. Road to Independence Program
Personalised capacity building
A NOTE FOR GP'S
Choosing the right assessment
Section 5 of the M107A and M108A asks whether the patient needs specialist assessment.
There are two options — and they go to different places.
OPTION 1
OT Driver Assessment
Assesses functional driving capacity through clinical and on-road testing.
Not sure? Take a look at our Referrer Guide.
Ready to refer or find out more?
Check out our Common Questions below. Otherwise, submit a referral online or email us at info@chellecare.com.au — we'll point you in the right direction.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Getting Started
What is a learner driver OT assessment, and how is it different from driving lessons? An OT Driver Assessment for learner and aspiring drivers is a clinical assessment of whether a young person is ready to learn to drive, and what supports they might need to get there safely. It looks at cognition, physical skills, vision, emotional readiness, road rule knowledge, and how a disability or learning difficulty might affect the pathway to a licence. Driving lessons teach you how to drive. An OT assessment works out whether you're ready to start lessons, what kind of instructor or vehicle you might need, and whether any pre-driving skill building would help first. The two work together, but they're different things.
Do I need a referral? No. Self-referrals are welcome, you don't need a GP or specialist referral to get started. That said, many of our clients are referred by GPs, paediatricians, NDIS Support Coordinators, or other allied health professionals, and we're happy to work with whoever is involved in your care.
Who can refer? GPs, specialists, paediatricians, allied health professionals, NDIS Support Coordinators, LACs, plan managers, schools, insurers, and families. Or you can refer yourself.
What age do you assess from? We work with young people from age 15 and over for pre-licence readiness assessments, through to senior drivers completing their licence renewal medical review. There's no upper age limit.
Do you provide driving lessons? No. ChelleCare provides the clinical assessment and recommendations, not the driving lessons themselves. Where lessons are recommended, we can refer you to a specialised driving instructor who is trained to work with people with disability, injury, or additional learning needs, and we can provide a written handover so the instructor understands your assessment findings and recommendations.
How long is the current wait? Wait times vary depending on demand. Get in touch and we'll give you the most up to date availability. Once the off-road assessment is booked, the on-road component typically follows within one to two weeks, with a final report typically provided within 10-15 business days.
Cost & Funding
How much does an OT Driver Assessment cost? Cost depends on the type and complexity of the assessment. A full assessment can cost circa $2,500. Contact us and we'll walk you through what's involved and the fees for your situation.
Can I use my NDIS plan? Yes. OT Driver Assessments are typically funded under Capacity Building, Improved Daily Living (Support Category 15). Our reports are written to support plan reviews and funding requests where relevant. If your goal is to access Specialised Driver Training (driving lessons), this needs to be a stated support in your NDIS plan for lessons to be funded.
Can I claim through private health insurance? Some private health insurers provide a partial rebate for OT services. Check with your insurer to see what's covered under your plan.
What about Medicare? You may be eligible for up to five rebated allied health sessions per calendar year through a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP), shared across all referred providers. Ask your GP whether this applies to your situation.
Can I pay privately? Yes. Private (self-funded) assessments are available to all clients with direct invoicing.
Is it covered by DVA? Eligible DVA cardholders may be able to access funding. We'd recommend confirming your entitlements with DVA before booking.
Cost & Funding
What happens during an OT Driver Assessment? Every assessment starts with an off-road clinical assessment at our West Busselton clinic, covering your medical and driving history, physical skills, cognition, road rule knowledge, vision, and emotional readiness. This is followed by an on-road assessment in a dual-control vehicle with a qualified driving instructor. For young people who don't yet hold a permit, this may be a passenger-based observation instead.
Is it a pass or fail test? No. It's a detailed, considered look at how you manage the demands of driving. Outcomes range from no changes at all, through to support, modifications, or licence conditions, and in some cases a recommendation that it's no longer safe to drive. Whatever the outcome, your OT will explain it clearly and support you through what's next.
Can a parent or family member come? Yes. A parent, supervising adult, or support person is welcome to attend, particularly for the off-road component. For senior driver assessments, bringing a family member can also be helpful.
What do I need to bring? Your current driver's licence (or learner's permit if you have one), glasses or hearing aids if you use them, a list of your current medications, and your DoT renewal letter if you have one. A support person is welcome.
Do I need a permit to be assessed? No. Young people working towards their first licence can be assessed without holding a permit. The on-road component is adapted to suit, including passenger-based observation where appropriate.
What's the difference between M107A and M108A? M108A is the correct form for routine senior licence renewal (drivers aged 80 and over). M107A is a different form, used only when DoT specifically requests a fitness-to-drive assessment outside the standard renewal process. If you're unsure which applies, email us and we'll point you in the right direction.
For Referrers
What documentation do you provide? Every assessment includes a comprehensive report with detailed off-road and on-road findings and individualised recommendations. Depending on the client's circumstances, we can also provide DoT documentation, NDIS evidence reports, a summary letter to the referring clinician, and a written handover or joint session with a driving instructor.
How do I know whether to request an OT assessment or a DTMI on-road test? Section 5 of the M107A and M108A asks this question. If you have clinical concerns about how a condition affects actual driving performance (cognition, reaction time, judgment, physical control), select the OT assessment option. A DTMI on-road test is a practical driving test only and doesn't include the clinical component.
What conditions commonly trigger a referral? Neurological conditions (stroke, TBI, Parkinson's, epilepsy, dementia), musculoskeletal or physical conditions affecting vehicle control, cognitive decline or executive function changes, psychiatric conditions or medications affecting reaction time or judgment, vision or hearing impairment, and NDIS goals related to driving, transport, or independence.
Can your reports support an NDIS plan review? Yes. Our reports are written to provide an evidence base for plan reviews and can support Capacity Building funding requests and Specialised Driver Training inclusions where appropriate.
How quickly can you see my patient, participant or family member? Wait times vary with demand. Broadly, at present our Waitlist is 2months. Contact us for current availability.
Do you travel to me, or do I need to come to you? All assessments are conducted from our West Busselton clinic. The off-road component takes place at the clinic, and the on-road assessment starts and finishes from the same location. We don't currently offer mobile or home-based assessments.
ChelleCare
SERVICES
Occupational Therapy for families across the South West of WA.
📍 Suite 2, 258 Bussell Highway, West Busselton, WA
📞 (08) 6383 7811
