ADAPTIVE DRIVING SERVICE ASSESSMENT INFORMATION
The Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation 800 Priestman Street, Fredericton, N.B. E3B 0C7 Telephone #: (506) 447-4214 Fax #: (506) 447-4160
The purpose of our service is to assist you in determining your driving needs and abilities. The ultimate decision regarding your ability to operate a motor vehicle safely lies with the Department of Public Safety, Medical Standards Unit who may be informed of the results of this assessment.
1. The assessment usually consists of an in-clinic evaluation and an on-road evaluation. The in-clinic assessment is done by the Occupational Therapist and will include a physical evaluation (balance, mobility, strength, coordination and reaction time), a visual screening (peripheral vision, depth perception, acuity) and a cognitive perceptual evaluation (visual perception, attention, judgement, sign recognition and understanding of rules of the road). This assessment takes approximately 2 hours to complete. The need for specialized equipment is determined following this assessment and the results will be discussed with you. The on-road evaluation is done following the in-clinic evaluation. The in-vehicle evaluation is done using one of Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation’s specially adapted vehicles and usually takes approximately 1-1 ½ hours to complete. A copy of the Driving assessment report is sent to the client and to the family physician. The fee for the service is $150.00.
2. You should report any change in your physical or mental status to your automobile insurance company immediately. This may or may not affect your insurance rates, but in case of an accident, your insurance company may refuse to honor your insurance coverage.
3. You are required by law to report any change in your physical or mental status to the Department of Public Safety, Licensing & Records upon renewal of your license. However, we strongly recommend that you inform the Registry as soon as possible.
4. Your doctor may be requested to complete a medical certificate for the Department of Public Safety certifying that your health will not interfere with your safe operation of a motor vehicle.
More information on other side 5. You may or may not be asked to take another road test. We recommend, for your safety, that you volunteer to take a road test for affirmation that you will be a safe driver with your new physical/mental status.
6. Should you require driving aids, you may be asked to take a re-examination road test to ensure your safety in using these aids. Your license will be endorsed with the restriction to drive only with such adaptations installed. These aids may be purchased or made, and will be checked for proper installation at the time of your road test, as well as the yearly motor vehicle safety inspection. A list of adaptive equipment suppliers is available from the Adaptive Driving Service.
7. Your license may be restricted to driving with “automatic transmission only”, “use of hand controls and spinner knob only”, “valid only with glasses or contact lenses”, etc. If restriction on license is not observed, you may have your license suspended if convicted.
8. With some medical conditions (such as diabetes, epilepsy, use of one eye only, use of prosthetic limb(s), etc., you may be permitted to drive a private vehicle, but may be restricted from operating a commercial vehicle (eg. Taxi, bus, truck).
9. The New Brunswick Department of Transportation has a program to assist in the retrofitting of vehicles to enable the transportation of disabled persons. Information on “The Vehicle Retrofit Program” is available from the Adaptive Driving Service, Occupational Therapy Department or the New Brunswick Department of Transportation.
10. You can apply for income tax gas reductions if you are handicapped and unable to use the various forms of public transportation. You do not have to be the driver or own the car used.
11. We urge you to practice safe driving! You may wish to take a defensive driving course, driver education or lessons from a driving school available in your area.
For further information, please contact:
Adaptive Driving Service at (506) 447-4214 or
Department of Public Safety at (506) 453-2352
D:\Docs\2018-05-04\0f3b0f24d145cfa08de57557801bada7.doc Revised: January 15, 2001