Pre-screening Driving Evaluations

We offer clinical pre-driving screens to help the doctor or health care specialist decide if a person is ready to return to driving.

Before being tested, the person needs to be cleared from other medical limitations to driving (medications, seizure activity, activity/weight bearing restrictions, etc.). A doctor's referral is also needed for an occupational therapy clinical pre-driving screen. A report of this evaluation will be available for review in your electronic medical recored for you doctor to view or a copy of this report will be sent to referring providers outside the HealthPartners Network.

For someone who has had a physical injury or illness that has potentially limited driving competence, we will evaluate driving history and needs, physical and mobility skills, visual skills and function with activities of daily living. This will determine ability to return to driving or readiness for a behind the wheel road test.

For someone who has had a brain injury or stroke we will also evaluate cognitive/perceptual skills, visual-motor speed and reaction time and visual skills includingvisual fields. Driving habits and skills may also be assessed using a driving simulator.

If a person successfully passes the pre-driving screen, a behind-the-wheel test can be done at Courage Center (952-520-0520) or Drive Safe, Inc. (651-730-6597) for a fee; this is an out-of-pocket expense as insurance companies currently do not pay for this evaluation. Taking the states written or behind-the-wheel driving evaluation is also an option (contact your local examination station or Driver and Vehicle Services).

If performance on the clinical pre-driving screen suggests the need for a behind the wheel evaluation, appropriate recommendations will be made. Behind the wheel evaluations by driving rehabilitation specialist are available at Regions Hospital (651-254-2062). Adaptive Experts (651-501-5680) or Courage Center (763-520-0520) for a fee; this is an out of pocket expense as insurance companies do not pay for this evaluation. Taking the state written or road test is sometimes an option that can be discussed the occupational therapist.

If the person's performance on the clinical pre-driving screen or behind the wheel evaluation suggests that driving is not recommended, the occupational therapist will discuss options for further therapy to strengthen performance or provide information about transportation alternatives. However, in the state of Minnesota, the doctor and the Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) have the final say about a person's ability to drive.

For more information about Regions Hospital Driving Ability Program, call the Occupational Therapy department at 651-254-2060.