David Baker, New England Rehab Hospital Outpatient, gets an overview of the vehicle he will drive for his On-Road Evaluation with Driving Instructor Don Lambert.

New England Rehabilitation Hospital of Portland (NERHP) Driver Assessment Program has been established to provide evaluation of individuals with a variety of disabilities and to facilitate independent mobility in the community. The occupational therapist that conducts our evaluation works in collaboration with the client's physician, family, and therapy treatment team (as applicable) to provide a comprehensive two-part assessment process in a non-threatening environment.

Who is Appropriate?
Anyone who has had a change in status physically or cognitively from either an injury or due to the aging process.

New England Rehab Outpatient, David Baker, gets ready for his On-Road Evaluation with AAA Driving Instructor Don Lambert, and New England Rehab Hospital Occupational Therapist Sue Hitchcox.

Cognitive: Sign recognition, problem solving, memory, sequencing and direction following.

Vision/Perceptual: Spatial relations, right/left discrimination, acuity, depth perception, and peripheral vision.

Physical: Joint range of motion, muscle strength, tone coordination, balance, sensation, endurance and level of functional mobility.

Indoor Driving Simulation: Reaction time and driver performance skills.

Part Two: On-Road Evaluation

AAA Driving Instructor Don Lambert makes mirror adjustments so that Sue Hitchcox, Occupational Therapist for New England Rehab Hospital, who is sitting in the back seat, can observe her patient, David Baker, taking his On-Road driving test.

A behind the wheel assessment is conducted to determine a client's abilities relative to the actual task of driving and the use of adaptive equipment (as needed). The assessment takes place in a driving school vehicle equipped with an instructor's brake and adaptive equipment. A feedback session takes place after the evaluation and written recommendations are provided as needed.

Admission Criteria:

1. Must meet Maine DMV standards for visual acuity and peripheral vision.
2. Free of seizure activity in the past six months.
3. Current driver's license or instructional permit must be in the client's possession while behind the wheel.
4. A six-month waiting period after a medical condition has occurred is recommended for some patients prior to participation in the program.
5. A physician's order is required for an occupational therapy evaluation.

David Baker, is all set to GO! His smile must mean he is confident that he will pass his On-Road driving test with flying colors!

To help with the application process, you can complete the attached Driver Pre-Assessment Form and Driver's Evaluation Program Informed Consent Form and either fax it to us or bring it with you to your appointment.

Pre-Assessment Form
Driver Evaluation Consent Form

Please Note: There are two parts to the driving assessment. Each portion of driving assessment is $150.00 to be paid before evaluation is commenced. A charge of $70/hour for AAA members/$75/hour for non-members is also required on the day of the on-road evaluation for the driving school's fee. The driving portion (Part Two) will run about 1 ¼ to 1 ½ hours. A total of $375.00 should be budgeted for this assessment.