How Occupational Therapists Help People Drive with Adaptive Vehicles

Driving gives people freedom to go where they want, when they want. But for some people with limited mobility or medical conditions, driving a “regular” car isn’t possible. That’s where occupational therapists (OTs) and adaptive driving solutions come in. Occupational therapists help people regain their ability to drive safely by testing their skills, recommending vehicle modifications and providing training.

What Is Adaptive Driving?

Adaptive driving means using special equipment or vehicle changes to help people with mobility challenges drive safely. Some common modifications include:

Hand controls for people who need an alternative to foot pedals
Left-foot accelerators for those who drive more comfortably using their left leg
Steering wheel grips and reduced-effort steering for people with limited hand or arm strength
Wheelchair accessible vans with ramps or lifts

How Do Occupational Therapists Help with Adaptive Driving?

Occupational therapists work with Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (CDRS) and mobility dealers (like MobilityWorks) to make sure each person gets the best setup for their needs. Here’s how they help:

Testing Driving Skills

Before someone can start driving with adaptive equipment, an OT does a driving evaluation to check the following:

Physical abilities – Can they turn the wheel, press pedals or react quickly?
Thinking and memory skills – Can they focus, make decisions and react to traffic?
Vision and depth perception – Can they see clearly and judge distances?

The OT then decides if the person is ready to drive and what changes might help.

Choosing the Right Adaptive Equipment

Not all drivers need the same modifications. OTs will recommend the best adaptive equipment based on each person’s condition.

For example:

Someone with spinal cord injuries might need hand controls and voice-activated buttons
Someone with Parkinson’s disease may need a left-foot accelerator and easier steering controls
A wheelchair user might need a van with a side-entry ramp and automatic doors

Teaching Safe Driving with Adaptive Equipment

Once their vehicle modified, an OT helps drivers learn how to use it safely. This includes:

Practicing with new controls
Learning how to handle different road situations
Building confidence behind the wheel

Helping with Licensing and State Requirements

Each state has different rules for adaptive driving. OTs can help by:

Making sure drivers get medical clearance
Helping with DMV adaptive driving tests
Checking that vehicle modifications follow state laws

Working with Mobility Experts for the Best Solutions

Occupational therapists team up with mobility experts like MobilityWorks to provide the best solutions. MobilityWorks offers:

A variety of wheelchair accessible and adaptive vehicles
Professional installation of hand controls, ramps and other modifications
Certified Mobility Consultants to help clients choose the right setup

Driving is a big part of everyday life and adaptive equipment can help people with disabilities stay independent. With the help of occupational therapists, driver rehabilitation specialists, and MobilityWorks, more people can safely get back on the road.

If you or someone you know is looking for adaptive driving solutions, MobilityWorks is here to help! Contact us today to learn more about our vehicles and equipment.