Michigan Driver Rehabilitation Providers

What is driver rehabilitation?

Learning to drive with a disability.

Driver rehabilitation is a specialized field of occupational therapy that involves helping individuals who have experienced illness or injury that has affected their ability to drive. The goal of driver rehabilitation is to help these individuals regain the skills and confidence necessary to safely operate a vehicle.

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Driver rehabilitation specialists work with individuals who have a wide range of conditions that affect driving ability, including physical disabilities, cognitive impairments, visual deficits, and age-related changes. They may assess the individual’s driving skills, recommend adaptive equipment or modifications to the vehicle, provide driver training and education, and offer strategies for safe driving.

Driver rehabilitation services may be provided in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and private clinics. Some driver rehabilitation programs also offer behind-the-wheel training to help individuals improve their driving skills in a safe and controlled environment. The ultimate goal of driver rehabilitation is to help individuals with disabilities maintain independence by safely operating a motor vehicle.

To learn more about driver rehabilitation or driving with hand controls in Michigan, view our frequently asked questions about driver rehabilitation or speak with a driver rehabilitation provider near you.

What is driver rehabilitation?

Driver rehabilitation refers to a comprehensive evaluation and training program aimed at helping individuals who have physical, cognitive, or sensory impairments to regain or improve their ability to drive a vehicle safely. The goal of driver rehabilitation is to assist individuals in making informed decisions about their driving ability and to provide them with the necessary skills and strategies to operate a vehicle safely. This may include education about adaptive equipment, vehicle modifications, and training on how to use these adaptations.

Additionally, driver rehabilitation may also involve testing and assessment of an individual's cognitive, physical, and visual abilities to determine their fitness to drive, and to identify any areas in which additional training or support may be required. The ultimate goal is to help individuals who are facing challenges to safely operate a vehicle and maintain their independence and mobility.

What is a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS®)?

A Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS®) is a professional who specializes in evaluating and treating individuals with medical or physical conditions that impact their ability to drive. These specialists typically have advanced training and experience in the field of driver rehabilitation, as well as knowledge of driving laws, vehicle modifications, and other relevant topics. They work with individuals with a wide range of conditions, including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, stroke, and others.

The goal of a CDRS is to help individuals maintain or regain their independence and mobility by providing evaluations, recommendations, and training to help them safely operate a vehicle.

The CDRS certification is offered by the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED), which sets standards for the field and provides ongoing training and education to its members.

What is ADED?

ADED — The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists is a professional organization that represents individuals who specialize in working with individuals with disabilities to evaluate their driving skills and provide rehabilitation services. The mission of the ADED is to promote safe and efficient mobility for individuals with disabilities through education, advocacy, and the advancement of the driver rehabilitation specialist profession.

The organization provides its members with a variety of resources and opportunities, including educational events and workshops, a professional certification program, a peer-reviewed journal, and access to a network of professionals who are knowledgeable in the field of driver rehabilitation. ADED also works with government agencies and other organizations to advance policies and programs that support the needs of individuals with disabilities who require driver rehabilitation services.

What is a pre-driving screening?

A pre-driving screening is a clinical assessment conducted by a driver rehabilitation specialist. The assessment tests visual skills, reaction time, strength, range of motion, cognitive processing speed, memory, and basic driving knowledge.

What is involved in an on-the-road assessment?

For an on-the-road assessment, a driver rehabilitation specialist observes the driver's driving skills in a dual-controlled vehicle. The assessment may be conducted in a variety of settings. This may include a parking lot, and/or a light to heavy traffic road, including the expressway, if appropriate. If adaptive equipment is recommended, such as hand controls, the driver will have the opportunity try different equipment options to determine which solution will be the best fit.

Is training always required after an on-the-road assessment?

In almost all cases, additional training will be recommended after determing what adaptive equipment will provide the individual's best driving solution. The training provides the driver more practice using adaptive equipment and learning safe driving strategies prior to taking the required road test with the State of Michigan.

Does insurance cover the cost of driver rehabilitation?

Typically, health insurance (including Medicare and Medicaid) do not cover the cost of driver rehabilitiation. Options for possible funding sources include:
Auto no-fault insurance
Kelly's Kidz Foundation - Driving Grant for Teens
Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons
Michigan Crime Victim Compensation
Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS)
Michigan Workers' Disability Compensation Agency
US Department of Veterans Affairs

Driving & Disabilities

Learning to Drive with a Disability

Driving with a disability is possible. A driver rehabilitation specialist will be able to help you determine what adaptive driving equipment or vehicle modifications will be the best fit for you. Learn more about the products that are commonly used by people with disabilities to drive safely and maintain their independence.

AUTISM

CEREBRAL PALSY

LIMB LOSS

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

OLDER ADULTS

SPINAL CORD INJURY

STROKE

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

Find a Provider Near You

Michigan Driver Rehabilitation Provider Directory

Are you ready to begin your driver rehabilitation journey? Take the first step by locating a driver rehabilitation provider near you. This directory lists providers in Michigan offering both pre-driving screenings and on-the-road training. Or you may consider consulting with a driver rehabilitation provider that offers pre-driving screenings only to help determine if on-the-road training is necessary for your situation.