Helping you get back on the road after injury
KINNECT offers Occupational Therapy Driving Assessments in Brisbane to help injured workers and individuals safely return to the road. Whether it’s regaining independence after an injury or ensuring compliance with Queensland licensing laws, our qualified team can guide you every step of the way.
Losing the ability to drive after an injury or illness can feel like losing your independence. KINNECT’s Occupational Therapy (OT) Driving Assessments support you to return to the road safely, confidently and in compliance with Queensland law.
Our postgraduate-qualified OT Driver Assessor, Liz, works with specialised driving instructors to evaluate your driving ability, recommend training or vehicle modifications, and guide you through the licensing process.
Whether you’re under WorkCover Queensland or another referral pathway, we’re here to help you regain mobility and confidence so you can return to work and life.
Why Choose KINNECT?
- Specialist Expertise: Liz has completed Flinders University’s recognised course in Occupational Therapy Driver Assessment and Rehabilitation.
- Comprehensive Service: We combine clinical assessment, on-road evaluation and vehicle modification recommendations in one streamlined process.
- Support Through Paperwork: We guide you through Queensland Transport and Main Roads (TMR) requirements, forms and medical certificates.
- Flexible Referrals: We accept referrals from GPs, specialists, insurers, rehabilitation coordinators or individuals directly.
- WorkCover Queensland Partner: We can assist with funding of driving lessons and vehicle modifications where applicable.
What is an OT Driving Assessment?
An OT Driving Assessment determines whether an injury, disability or health condition (psychological or physical) is affecting a person’s ability to drive safely. It’s also used where a medical driving restriction is in place to identify barriers and strategies for returning to driving within the standards set by licensing authorities.
Our postgraduate-qualified Occupational Therapists, working in collaboration with driving instructors, assess key functions such as vision, cognition, motor control, strength, reaction time, and range of motion. The assessment is completed in two parts — a clinical assessment at our clinic and an on-road driving evaluation.
We then provide the information required by Doctors and licensing bodies to assess fitness to drive, and support WorkCover Queensland claims where applicable.
Learn more below.
Who can an OT Driving Assessment help?
Driving is often a meaningful milestone in the rehabilitation process — signalling regained autonomy, mobility and a return to community participation. Our assessments ensure safety, restore independence and boost confidence.
We provide OT Driving Assessments for people recovering from:
- Traumatic brain or spinal injuries
- Stroke
- Driving-related psychological injuries
- Amputations
- Major fractures or surgery
- Neurological disorders
- Chronic pain or conditions affecting cognition, vision, or movement
(We currently assess driving in standard C-class vehicles.)
Why is an OT Driving Assessment conducted?
Being fit to drive requires:
- Good eyesight
- Physical ability to control the vehicle safely
- Clear thinking
- The ability to manage complex environments.
Physical and psychological injury and illness can impact a person’s functional capacity for everyday tasks such as driving.
In Queensland, undergoing a driving assessment after a significant injury or illness is a legal requirement if you wish to resume driving. Driving while medically unfit to do so is a breach of the law.
Under Jet’s Law, Queensland drivers must notify authorities and their health professionals if they have, or develop, a medical condition that could impair safe driving, including injuries that affect physical or cognitive abilities.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) requires drivers with long-term or permanent conditions, or changes to existing conditions, to obtain a Medical Certificate for Motor Vehicle Driver (form F3712) before resuming driving.
A Doctor or insurer may refer an individual for a practical driving assessment with an Occupational Therapist when clarity is needed about how an injury could impact driving ability.
This process ensures compliance with the national Austroads Assessing Fitness to Drive standards.
When is a Driving Assessment Needed?
Driving assessments are typically a late-stage intervention introduced once an individual’s functional abilities (strength, cognition, mobility) have stabilised.
Referrals are usually made for individuals:
- Recovering from injuries or medical conditions that could affect safe driving
- Experiencing psychological injuries that may impact driving ability
- Needing to drive for work or daily living but unsure of their current ability
Clients who have undergone surgery must be cleared by a Doctor and considered medically stable before assessment.
What are the benefits of an OT Driving Assessment
- Restores independence and mobility after injury
- Improves return-to-work outcomes for workers whose jobs depend on driving
- Ensures compliance with Queensland licensing laws
- Identifies training and vehicle modifications to make driving safe again
- Supports mental wellbeing by reducing isolation, stress and loss of identity
Meet our OT Driving Assessor – Liz Patterson
With postgraduate training in Occupational Therapy Driver Assessment and Rehabilitation from Flinders University, Liz brings specialised skills to support safe driving after injury. Backed by KINNECT’s multidisciplinary rehabilitation team, she ensures clients receive comprehensive, coordinated care.
How an OT Driving Assessment Works
The assessment is completed in two parts: a pre-road clinical assessment with our qualified Occupational Therapist (OT) at our clinic, and an on-road driving evaluation conducted with both our OT and a specialist driving instructor.
Please note that these two parts may not be held on the same day.
STEP 1: Clinical Assessment (Approx. 1.5 hours)
Conducted by KINNECT’s OT Driver Assessor at our clinic, this appointment includes a:
- Discussion of medical history, medications, injury details and compensation claim
- Review of driving history
- Physical, cognitive and vision function screening
- Road law knowledge screen
Paperwork required
This paperwork needs to be presented at the clinical assessment.
-
- Current Driver’s Licence (an open or local area license can be considered)
- Current QLD Transport Medical Certificate (QTMC) if relevant
- Please obtain this from your GP, ensuring that it states you are “medically stable for purpose of OT driving assessment / driving lessons only”.
- You will need to take this for processing to Queensland Transport prior to your appointment.
- Doctor referral / medical history, including current medical conditions and medications.
- Optometrist report (if required)
- Hospital discharge summary / other medical or allied health reports
STEP 2: Practical On-Road Assessment (Approx. 1.5 hours)
Conducted with KINNECT’s OT Driver Assessor and a specialised Driving Instructor.
KINNECT partners with specialised driving instructors who are chosen to meet our clients’ needs, including vehicle modifications and whether an automatic or manual car is required.
You cannot be assessed using your own vehicle – for safety purposes, the vehicle must be fitted with dual brake controls.
The Driving Instructor will sit in the front passenger seat, while the OT Driver Assessor observes in the rear left seat. They will evaluate:
-
- Observation skills
- Speed control
- Planning and judgement
- Vehicle positioning
- Physical control and reaction time
- Insight into driving performance
STEP 3: Results & Recommendations
Following the assessment, the OT Driver Assessor consults with the Driving Instructor and determines one of three outcomes:
- Pass: the medical condition is not impacting driving ability
- Driving program: training from a specialised driving instructor is recommended before reassessment
- Fail: the medical condition significantly affects safe driving; feedback provided to the referring doctor for licencing authority.
STEP 4: OT Driving Assessment Report
A detailed report is provided to the referring doctor (usually your GP), and insurer / referrer.
STEP 5: See Your Referring Doctor
Your GP or specialist reviews the report, and if in agreement, provides an updated Queensland Transport Medical Certificate.
STEP 6: Visit QLD Transport
Submit your updated Medical Certificate in person at a QLD Transport office.
If you have passed and the certificate is processed, you may resume driving. If lessons or modifications are recommended, these can commence.
Referral Pathway
Referrals can be made by:
- GPs and medical specialists
- Insurers and rehabilitation coordinators
- Employers
- Individuals seeking to return to driving
Contact KINNECT’s Brisbane team to book an assessment or discuss your client’s needs. Select ‘Help us with the management of an Injured or Ill Worker’ and use the drop-down menu to select ‘OT Driving Assessment’.
ABOUT US
SERVICES
QUICK LINKS
CONTACT US
