***Due to covid 19, the driving skills assessment service is suspended until further notice.***
TO WHO A DRIVING CAPACITY ASSESSMENT IS ADDRESSED?
Available at the Clinique de réadaptation physique Roussillon of La Prairie, this service is intended for people who hold a driver’s license (or who wish to obtain one) who must undergo a functional assessment carried out by an occupational therapist, following a request from the SAAQ. This for various medical reasons.
EVALUATION PROCESS
The driving capacity assessment takes place over two meetings.
The first session consists of off road tests taking 2 to 3 hours to perform. These tests allow for a review of the client’s medical history as well as a review of their physical, cognitive and perceptual abilities. Note that the different skills tested during this meeting are considered as prerequisites for driving.
The second session consists of an actual road test. This test is conducted in a school car, in the presence of a certified driving instructor and the occupational therapist. The customer must then make a specific road trip, lasting about 60 minutes, where he is guided by the driving instructor. The basic skills for driving safely are observed and noted throughout the course.
Following the road test, the occupational therapist takes the time to discuss with the client and his family about the concluding results from the various tests performed during the evaluation process.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE DRIVING CAPACITY ASSESSMENT?
Following the driving capacity assessment, the occupational therapist sends his report to the SAAQ. This report includes, among other things, the results of the off road and road test, as well as the conclusions and recommendations of the occupational therapist as to the driving skills of the client. However, it is not the occupational therapist but the SAAQ who makes the final decision regarding the client’s driver’s license, in light of the various information contained in their files. The SAAQ communicates its decision to the client by letter in the weeks following the evaluation (issue, revocation, addition of special conditions to the driving license, etc.).
WHAT ARE THE DELAYS TO BEGIN THE PROCESS?
Note that before the driving capacity assessment can be conducted, the occupational therapist must have some medical information about the person to be evaluate (copy of the report completed by the physician, the optometrist, or others health professionals involved with the client). If you do not have this information, the occupational therapist may request a copy from the SAAQ or from the health professionals that the client has consulted (if he has previously signed a consent that allows the occupational therapist to proceed with the approach). Once the occupational therapist has all the relevant documents in hand, the process is quick.
WHO CONDUCT THE DRIVING CAPACITY ASSESSMENT?
At Clinique de réadaptation physique Roussillon, the driving capacity assessment service is provided by Mélanie Gauthier, Occupational Therapist. She is a graduate of the Université de Montréal and has been practicing since 1997. She also holds a graduate degree in Driving Evaluation from McGill University, obtained in 2010.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO PROVIDE FOR A DRIVING CAPACITY ASSESSMENT?
At the first appointment, the client must bring:
His driving license as well as all the relevant documents he has in his possession, needed for the driving capacity assessment.
- Corrective lenses, if any.
- An updated list of his medication.
During the road test, the client must:
- Bring his driver’s license.
- Bring his correctives lens and / or sunglasses.
- Be accompanied by a person with a driver’s license, preferably a family member or a close relation.
Finally, note that the costs associated with the evaluation are not supported by the SAAQ. For more information or to make an appointment, do not hesitate to contact our La Prairie branch at 450-444-4044.
