Frequently Asked Questions

---

Our driver rehabilitation specialists are experienced occupational therapists with advanced training in driving rehabilitation. We provide driving evaluations to determine safe goals for community mobility. 

• We are with you every step of the way to help you feel safe & confident in the driver’s seat. 
• We meet you at your home and work with you in your own community. 
• We will help you find equipment to make driving easier. 
• We provide objective rationale for driving risk. 
• We assist with planning and support if driving retirement is recommended. 

Medical conditions can change the way we move, think, and see. If you show any of these changes or other characteristics, you may benefit from a driving evaluation with Adaptive Mobility: 

• Slower reaction time 
• Shorter attention span 
• Delayed reflexes 
• Muscle weakness 
• Vision Changes 
• Hearing problems 
• Reduced memory 
• Poor decision-making skills 
• Drowsiness or medication effects 
• Increase in accidents or near misses 
• Physical impairments 
• Recent major medical illnesses or events 
• Increased anxiety and agitation 
• Frequent falls 

We often work with clients who are impacted by one or more of the following; 

​ 

Neurological Disorders: Conditions such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke can affect motor skills, coordination, and reaction times, making driving more challenging. 

​ 

Visual Impairments: Poor vision or conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, or reduced visual fields can impair a person's ability to see clearly and react to hazards on the road. 

​ 

Physical Disabilities: Mobility issues caused by conditions like arthritis, neuropathy, limb amputations, or spinal cord injuries can affect a person's ability to operate a vehicle safely. 

​ 

Cognitive Disorders: Conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or traumatic brain injuries can impact memory, judgment, and decision-making skills necessary for safe driving. 

​ 

Mental Health Conditions: Conditions such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD can impact concentration and decision-making while driving. Some medications to treat mental health conditions can slow reaction times and impair driving skills. 

​ 

Neurodivergence: Some individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Anxiety or developmental disorders have specific challenges in learning to drive safely and benefit from specialized driver safety training. 

A driver’s evaluation is an evaluation of an individual’s driving. It includes 3 main steps. 

Step 1: Review of clinical testing of sensation, vision, reaction time, strength, balance & cognition.
Step 2: A behind-the-wheel assessment in a driving rehab vehicle.
Step 3: Discussion of outcomes. 

All three steps take about 3 hours.

Step 2 of the driving evaluation takes place in our driving rehab car. We use our car because it has special equipment to keep everyone safe. 

We spend extra time initially in an empty parking lot to get you properly fitted and comfortable using our vehicle before advancing to higher traffic areas.

We prefer to have a support person at the beginning and end of the evaluation process. This allows for accurate collateral and better understanding of the final discussion of outcomes and assist with planning as needed. 

No, as specialists, we evaluate your performance with driving and any impact from illness or injury. We work with you, your family, and doctor to help determine safe goals with driving. At times we will be asked to send reports to the department of motor vehicles, but we will always discuss this with you first. The department of motor vehicles is the licensing agency that holds all authority for your driver’s license.

This is a tricky conversation to have and is usually met with great resistance. We usually recommend and comprehensive driver evaluation through On The Road.  Talk to their doctor or advanced provider and have a referral faxed to ***-***-****. If your loved one is deemed unfit to drive, it is important to remove access to the vehicle or disable to car. You may also report your loved one to the DMV directly and this will result in a written request for Driver Medical Evaluation that will need to be filled out by a medical specialist.

Sometimes, if you have not driven for a while, or you are recovering from a new injury, driving training may be helpful. Training is also provided if you are learning to drive with adaptive equipment. After your evaluation, your specialist will talk to you about recommendations for driving training and provide you with a plan. Driving training sessions typically run from 1.5 to 2 hours and the number of training sessions vary from driver to driver. 

South Dakota Department of Public Safety recommends a least 6 months of seizure free activity. Testing for behind-the-wheel will not be completed until this time has been documented or physician provides support to complete prior to 6 months.

Yes, all drivers must be able to independently transfer into and out of a standard height driver seat to participate in our program’s client services. 

Outcomes are shared with your referring doctor and may be shared with your state licensing agency. 

• Valid driver’s license (We can obtain a temporary license for your evaluation day if needed) 
• Glasses or eye correction for near and far vision, if needed.  
• Hearing aids 
• Bowel or bladder management supplies, if needed.  
• Mobility devices, if needed 
• Completed Intake & Signed forms 
• Payment (Checks made out to ‘On the Road) 
• A support person at the beginning and end of session

• The best way to prepare is to arrive well rested. Make sure you take all your prescribed medications and eat a good breakfast. Bring any medications that you are required to take during your scheduled visit time (may take 3-4 hours).   
• Bring any bowel or bladder management supplies with you in case of an emergency. 
• You do not need to study as our testing does not include a written examination test for rules of the road.  
• Ensure you have had your vision checked within the last year or sooner if changes have occurred. Take at least a month of recovery before having a driving evaluation if you have had any eye surgeries such as a cataract removed. 
• It is beneficial to have the appropriate hearing devices in place prior to the evaluation, if needed.  
• Notify us if you have had any seizures leading up to your planned evaluation as we may need to reschedule. 

If your driver’s license has been suspended, please reach out to us. We may still be able to help! Our specialists are skilled with understanding various state licensing & permit processes.

Prior to your appointment, you will be provided online access to our forms including a notice of non-coverage and financial responsibility, authorization of disclosure/medical release, release of liability, and attestation of driver’s license. Please take your time to carefully read and sign these forms. Please note we require all forms to be completed and signed prior to participation in our program services.

Payment is due at the time of service via check or credit card. Checks may be made out to ‘On The Road.’ Your specialist will collect payment at the start of your appointment. 

On The Road is a private, cash-based practice. Driving evaluations generally are not covered by insurance and we do not bill insurance. Medicare does not consider driving a “medical necessity.” Should your insurance provider cover this service, we are more than happy to provide you with a copy of your driving evaluation to submit for reimbursement. Please note, payment is still due at the time of service and any insurance filing is the responsibility of the client.

Your driving evaluation is being provided by a licensed occupational therapist with advanced training in driving rehabilitation in order to review your medical fitness to drive. Please consult individual plans with your HSA to confirm this service is approved for HSA billing.

When you schedule your appointment with us, we block off several hours to be able to provide you with individualized care. We understand that things do come up and you may need to reschedule your appointment. Should you need to do so, we request you reschedule any needs at least 48 hours in advance of your appointment. This will provide us with enough time to reschedule others waiting for this service. 

Appointment cancellations that occur within 48 hours, are subject to a cancellation fee of $50. Cancellation fees will be billed directly to the client via invoice. 

Special circumstances related to weather/road conditions will be based on therapist discretion.  

During your time with us, we want you to be able to focus and do your best! Therefore, clients must be available for evaluation without any dependents present, including children or other adults that require supervision. 

Learning to drive with adaptive equipment requires training, support, and time. 

• Training for equipment may range from a few sessions to several weeks, depending on your adaptive equipment needs. After your driving evaluation, we will provide an estimate of anticipated training needs. 
• Support is provided to facilitate your process through your state’s adaptive driving equipment licensing procedure. Many states have processes in place for licensing to drive with adaptive equipment and may include paperwork and a driving test at the department of motor vehicle office. Depending on your state, this process may take several weeks. 
• Expertise for equipment will be provided to help find an equipment vendor, to select & prescribe the equipment that best fits your needs, and to ensure installed equipment works well for you in the car. 

Our comprehensive driving evaluation ranges from $600 to $800 for 3-4 hours. For those beyond Pennington or Meade Counties, a small travel fee may apply to offset fuel costs and travel time. Please reach out to us directly for a quote. 

Driving training will be time-based and client dependent. Training sessions typically take two hours and cost $200 per hour.