Driving

Driving is a big part of being independent, and it’s probably something you’ve been looking forward to doing (or enjoyed doing after you got your license). Unfortunately, a brain injury can impact whether or not you can drive safely. That decision is ultimately going to come down to what your doctors and rehabilitation therapists say. This may be disappointing and frustrating to work through—but safety must come first.

Let’s talk about:

Why wouldn’t I be able to drive?

Your brain injury may have impacted your:

  • Attention
  • Memory
  • Range of motion
  • Reaction times
  • Vision

These are all things you need to be able to drive safely. As disappointing as this might be to read, driving may not be something that you are able to do right away – or at all. It’s also pretty frustrating, whether you just got your license, or were planning to get one.

Whatever the doctors say, transportation is a pretty important part of daily living. It may not be exactly what you want, but there are other ways to get around. Family members, friends, public transportation, and car shares services are all options to help you get from place to place.

My doctors say I can drive – what do I do next?

If your doctors say you can drive, that’s awesome! However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can start today. There are things you need to do to make sure you are as safe as possible – both for you and the other people on the road.

Getting your learner’s permit

If you already have your learner’s permit, you can skip to ‘Getting a driving evaluation’.

Each province and territory has a different process for getting your driver’s license, but they all have a first step – writing a test. This test is to make sure that you understand road signs and rules of the road so that when you start taking lessons and practicing, you’ll be safe.

There is also a vision test. If you have visual impairments or require specific vision aids (like glasses), you need to have this information from your optometrist ahead of time so that the people giving you the test know and can put the information on the license.

The next step will be to take driver’s education and work with a professional to learn to drive. This is standard across all of Canada. If you need special accommodations, you may need to get a driving evaluation done.

Getting a driving evaluation

The first thing you will need to do is talk to someone on your medical team about getting a driving evaluation to find out if/how you will be able to drive safely again. Occupational therapists (OTs) who have training in driving rehabilitation or a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS) would be the people to give you that test.

You will need a referral from someone on your medical team to access a driving evaluation. Make sure when you are asking for a driving evaluation that you ask what other documents (such as a copy of your license or a vision test) they need.

What is involved in the driving evaluation?

The driving evaluation will judge:

  • Your ability to drive
  • What kind(s) of vehicles you can drive
  • Whether you will need special equipment to use your vehicle
  • Any adaptive vehicle tools you will need to drive (more on this later)
  • The training you will need to drive safely

You will also need a physical assessment, a cognitive test, and to complete driving trials in an adapted vehicle and using adaptive driving equipment (if you need it), both in a controlled environment and on the road.

Once your evaluation is done and you have a list of all the equipment you need, a report will be sent to the licensing body in your province or territory so your license will be updated. Specific conditions will be placed on your driving permit. Examples of this include using a left-foot accelerator or hand controls. These permit updates make sure you only drive a vehicle that is safe for you.

Once you get the go-ahead from your medical team, the process can start. The timeline depends on availability of services and what is needed to complete the evaluation. We can tell you that a typical assessment with a CDRS will require at least 2-6 appointments. Learning to drive with adaptive equipment (such as hand controls, a left foot accelerator or relocated turn-signals and windshield wipers) may be another 4-8 hours of on-road training with a specialized driving instructor, while learning techniques to compensate for vision or cognitive issues may require 10-15 more hours of training.

Again, these are rough estimates. The experts will be able to provide you with more exact information.

Since there are so many factors involved in a driving evaluation, we can’t tell you the exact cost of the process. You will have to get estimates from the individuals you are working with to complete your driving evaluation.

Adaptive vehicles & tools for driving

If you are judged as being able to drive, you may only be able to use a special vehicle or driving tools. Here are some examples of accessible adaptations that can help with driving.

Accelerating and braking are essential for operating a vehicle, and you must be able to do both safely. This can be challenging for people with weak right sides or weaker lower extremities (from your hip to your toes) or coordination issues. There are adaptive tools that can be installed on vehicles to assist with accelerating and braking, such as:

  • Electric parking brakes that allow you to use the power brake through a switch
  • Hand controls
  • Left-foot pedals
  • Pedal blocks that protect the pedals from accidental pressing due to conditions such as spasms
  • Pedal extensions
  • Park-brake extension levers that convert foot-operated parking brakes into hand-operated ones
  • Quad hand control, designed for people with wrist and hand strength problems
  • Servo controls, that are touch operated

You may need different vehicle seating. Adaptive technology such as power bases, removable seat bases and electronic restraints are available and can be adjusted to suit your specific needs.

Examples of electronic equipment that can help drivers include:

  • Airbag control switches and deactivation shunts
  • Gear selector extension lever, which provides more leverage for shifting gears in automatic cars
  • Keyless ignition
  • Powered gear selector, which allows the driver to use a toggle
  • Quad control, which relocates accessory controls
  • Remote wipers and additional controls

You may need a different type of steering wheel to help with driving. There are several modifications that can be made, such as:

  • Bringing the wheel closer
  • Using foot operators to steer
  • One-hand operation

If you are able to sit in a seat, but still need to bring your wheelchair or scooter with you, you can have a carrier installed. Types of carriers include automatic car-top carriers, bumper-mounted carriers, hitch-mounted carriers and pick-up truck carriers.

A wheelchair lift allows you to use a vehicle with ease when you are in a wheelchair or have additional mobility challenges. There are two main types of wheelchair lifts: platform and rotary (swing). When ordering or using a lift, it’s important to measure your wheelchair or scooter to make sure that it fits safely.

I know what I need to drive—how do I get it?

You’ve determined what you need in order to be able to drive – now how do you get it? There are two options available to you.

Updating an existing vehicle

Many adaptive technologies can be installed on existing vehicles. This will need to be completed by an auto body and mobility professional that is certified and experienced in making these kinds of modifications. If you are not the owner of the vehicle, you will also need to get the permission and assistance of the owner to make these changes.

The National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) has a map tool that can help you find accredited dealers/installers. Please note: NMEDA’s services are only available in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. Your rehabilitation specialists may be able to direct you to local resources, or you can check with your local brain injury association.

You may not be able to convert your existing vehicle if it is not large enough. For example, sedans are not able to be equipped with wheelchair lifts. An assessment of your existing vehicle will confirm whether or not you need to purchase a new vehicle.

Purchasing an accessible vehicle

There are plenty of manufacturers to purchase an accessible vehicle from across Canada, but you should work with an expert in mobility and transportation to make sure that the vehicle you purchase is the appropriate choice for you.

Rebates & funding for accessible vehicles

Accessible vehicles are expensive. There are rebate programs and funding options to help make acquiring an accessible vehicle more affordable. First, you should check your insurance coverage: a portion of the conversion or vehicle purchase may be covered under your plan.