Thinking about returning to driving?
You are most likely looking forward to getting back to the activities you used to do, including driving. When it comes to thinking about driving, your team at St. John’s Rehab can examine and help you improve your skills related to this activity.
This may include assessing your ability to:
- move your arms and legs
- stay focused
- see objects
- solve problems
- remember things
- pay attention to many things at once
- process information and react quickly
Your rehab team will write a *report that you can share with your physician (family doctor or specialist) or nurse practitioner.
If driving again is your goal, here is important information from the Ministry of Transportation that we hope is helpful to you. You can also speak with your occupational therapist.
How would you know if your licence has been suspended by the Ministry of Transportation?
You would receive from the Ministry of Transportation, a Notice of Suspension letter that lets you know that your licence has been suspended.
What are next steps for the Ministry of Transportation to consider returning your licence?
With the Notice of Suspension letter, you will also receive a Medical Review form. This form is to be completed by a physician or nurse practitioner, in order for the Ministry to determine whether to return your licence.
The *report written by your rehab team can be given to a physician who may use it to help complete the Ministry of Transportation Medical Review form. A physician may also choose to do additional tests or recommend a functional driving assessment before sending the form to the Ministry.
The Ministry of Transportation Medical Review Board will assess your Medical Review form and decide if it is safe for you to return to driving. About one month after the Ministry has received the Medical Review form, they will send a letter to inform you if you can return to driving, or if you need to take a functional driving assessment, or if more assessment is needed.
What is a Functional Driving Assessment? Where is it done?
A Functional Driving Assessment is a test to check your driving skills. It includes inclinic testing (pen and paper testing) and an on-road test.
The on-road test is considered the best test to show if it is safe for you to return to driving. This assessment is done at a Ministry approved Functional Assessment Centre. There is a fee for this assessment, which is not covered by provincial health plans (OHIP).
For more information on Functional Driving Assessments, please visit the Ministry of Transportation website or call 1-800-268-1481.
Please note: There is no Ministry of Transportation-approved Functional Assessment Centre at St. John’s Rehab.
