Getting a Driving Evaluation for Adaptive Vehicles

What a driving evaluation does and who needs one

A driving evaluation is an assessment by a certified specialist who tests whether you can safely operate a vehicle and what modifications you might need. The evaluator watches you drive, tests your reaction time and physical range of motion, and identifies which adaptive equipment—hand controls, steering spinners, left-foot accelerators, or other devices—would let you drive safely.

You may need an evaluation if you have a new or changing condition that affects your ability to drive: a spinal cord injury, stroke, arthritis, vision loss, amputation, or neurological condition. Some people get evaluated after a hospital stay or accident. Others pursue it years into a condition when they want to return to driving or switch vehicles.

The evaluation is not a pass-or-fail test. It produces a detailed report of what you can and cannot do behind the wheel, what equipment would help, and sometimes recommendations about when or where you should drive. You use this report to work with a vehicle modifier who installs the adaptive equipment.

Key Takeaways

• A certified driving rehabilitation specialist performs the evaluation, usually at a clinic or in a vehicle, and produces a written report of your abilities and equipment needs.
• The evaluation typically costs between $300 and $800 and may be covered by insurance, workers' compensation, vocational rehabilitation, or the VA if you may have access to.
• You will need a valid driver's license or learner's permit to be evaluated, and the process usually takes two to four hours plus a road test.
• The report from your evaluation is what you give to a vehicle modifier to determine which adaptive devices to install and how to install them safely.
• Some evaluations can be done in your own vehicle if it is safe to do so, while others require use of a clinic vehicle with dual controls.

Finding a certified driving rehabilitation specialist

Look for someone certified by the Association of Driving Rehabilitation Specialists (ADRS) or the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). These credentials mean the person has completed training in adaptive driving assessment and has passed a certification exam. You can search for certified specialists on the ADRS website by state.

Hospitals with rehabilitation departments often have driving evaluators on staff or can refer you to one. Occupational therapy clinics frequently offer evaluations. Some vehicle modification shops work with evaluators and can recommend someone. If you are a veteran, the VA may cover an evaluation at a VA medical center or through a contracted provider.

Call ahead and ask whether the evaluator is certified, what the cost is, whether they accept your insurance, and how long the waiting list is. Some specialists have a wait of several weeks. Ask also whether they evaluate in your own vehicle or use a clinic vehicle with dual controls—this matters if your vehicle has special features or if you want to know how you will handle your actual car.

What happens during the evaluation

The evaluation usually takes two to four hours and happens in two parts: an office assessment and a road test. In the office, the evaluator asks about your medical history, current medications, and driving habits. They test your vision, hearing, reaction time, and range of motion in your arms, legs, and neck. They may use a computer-based test to check your ability to process information quickly.

Then you drive. The evaluator sits beside you in a vehicle equipped with dual controls—a second brake pedal and steering wheel on the passenger side so they can take over if needed. They watch how you handle turns, stops, lane changes, and parking. They note any movements that are unsafe, slow, or difficult. They may ask you to drive in different conditions: residential streets, busier roads, or highways, depending on what you need to do.

After the road test, the evaluator writes a report. This report describes what you did well, what was difficult, and what adaptive equipment would help. It may recommend specific devices: hand controls instead of foot pedals, a spinner knob on the steering wheel, a left-foot accelerator, or modifications to the seat or mirrors. The report goes to you and to any doctor or insurance company you name.

Cost and insurance coverage

A driving evaluation typically costs between $300 and $800, depending on the specialist's location and experience, and whether the road test is in your vehicle or a clinic vehicle. Some specialists charge by the hour; others charge a flat fee.

Insurance may cover part or all of the cost if your doctor orders the evaluation as medically necessary. Call your insurance company and ask whether driving evaluations are covered and whether you need a referral from your doctor. Workers' compensation covers evaluations if your condition is work-related. State vocational rehabilitation programs sometimes pay for evaluations if you are working toward returning to a job. The VA covers evaluations for may be able to access veterans.

If you do not have coverage, ask the specialist whether they offer a sliding scale or payment plan. Some nonprofits that focus on spinal cord injury, stroke, or other conditions may help pay for an evaluation.

What you need to bring

Bring your valid driver's license or learner's permit. The evaluator needs to see that you are legally allowed to drive. Bring a list of any medications you take, especially those that affect alertness or coordination. Bring your glasses or contact lenses if you wear them while driving.

If you have had recent medical tests—imaging, strength testing, or vision exams—bring those records or summaries. If you are being evaluated because of a specific incident or change in your condition, bring any medical reports related to that event. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you can move in easily, since the evaluator will test your range of motion.

If you are using a wheelchair or mobility device, let the evaluator know ahead of time so they can plan how to get you into and out of the vehicle safely. If you use a service animal, ask whether the animal can wait in the clinic during the evaluation.

Using your evaluation report to modify a vehicle

Once you have the evaluation report, you take it to a vehicle modifier—a shop that installs adaptive equipment. The modifier reads the report and tells you which devices are needed, how much they cost, and how long installation takes. Common modifications include hand controls (which let you accelerate and brake with your hands instead of feet), steering spinners (which let you turn the wheel with one hand), and seat lifts or transfer boards (which help you get in and out).

The modifier may suggest equipment the evaluator did not mention, based on their experience with your type of vehicle and condition. You can ask questions and request changes. Installation usually takes a few days to a week, depending on how many modifications you need.

Keep your evaluation report even after the vehicle is modified. If you buy a different vehicle later, you can use the same report to have similar equipment installed. If your condition changes and you need a new evaluation, the old report gives the new evaluator a baseline to compare against.

When you should get a new evaluation

You may need a new evaluation if your condition has changed significantly—if you have lost more strength or range of motion, if your vision has worsened, or if you have developed a new symptom that affects driving. You should also get a new evaluation if you want to drive a different type of vehicle: a truck instead of a sedan, or a van instead of a car, because the equipment and your ability to operate it may be different.

Some insurance companies or state licensing agencies may require a new evaluation after a certain amount of time has passed, especially if you had a serious condition like a stroke. Ask your doctor or your insurance company whether they recommend a follow-up evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a valid driver's license to get evaluated?

Yes, you need either a current driver's license or a learner's permit. If your license has expired, you will need to renew it before the evaluation. If you have never had a license, you will need to get a learner's permit first, which requires passing a written test at your state's Department of Motor Vehicles.

What if the evaluator says I should not drive?

The evaluator may conclude that driving is not safe for you right now, or that it would only be safe under certain conditions—for example, only on familiar roads, only during daylight, or only with specific equipment you do not yet have. This is not a permanent decision. You can ask about what would need to change for you to drive safely, and you can get a new evaluation later if your condition improves or if you have access to different equipment.

Can I use my own vehicle for the evaluation?

Some evaluators will test you in your own vehicle if it is safe and if you have a valid license. Others use only a clinic vehicle with dual controls. Ask the evaluator ahead of time. If you want to be evaluated in your own vehicle, you may need to schedule a longer appointment or a second session after modifications are installed.

How long does it take to get the evaluation report?

Most evaluators provide a written report within one to two weeks of your road test. Ask when you schedule the evaluation. If you need the report quickly for insurance or vocational rehabilitation purposes, let the evaluator know and ask whether they can prioritize it.

Will my insurance cover the cost if my doctor did not order it?

Probably not. Most insurance companies cover evaluations only if a doctor has ordered them as medically necessary. Call your insurance company and ask your doctor to submit a referral. If your doctor does not think an evaluation is medically necessary, you can still pay for one yourself, though the cost will not be covered.