Driving Evaluation and Training

Driver Evaluation and Training Program
Frequently Asked Questions

Where are you located?
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
Occupational Therapy Department
Driver Evaluation and Training Program
7601 East Imperial Highway, Building 900, Room 91
Downey, California 90242

Who can I contact if I have more questions?
Contact Sandra Okada, MSG, OTR/L, CDRS or Ken Reynolds, Driving Instructor, CDRS by phone: (562) 401-7081, fax: (562) 401-6167 or e-mail: DriverTraining@rancho.org.

What is the parking situation at Rancho Los Amigos?
Parking is free. There is also designated parking for people with a DMV Disabled Person parking placard. Access Services and the bus have drop off stops on Rancho grounds.

Do I need my own car for driver training?
No, the program has modified cars and a full-sized van for training. The driving instructor has dual gas and brake pedals on the passenger side.

How can I get an appointment if I am not currently a patient at Rancho Los Amigos?
The paperwork needed includes a Consultation Request or prescription signed by a physician. Because we are a hospital-based program, we need a physician's prescription. The physician's personal prescription is acceptable for "Occupational Therapy Driver Evaluation and Training." A brief History and Physical Form is needed and can be completed by your physician or a recent Occupational and/or Physical Therapy Evaluation could replace this. Also, the Patient Information Form is needed for admitting. Once the paperwork is completed and received, we can refer you to the Business and Finance Department, if needed, before scheduling an appointment. If you are interested in obtaining a referral packet please see the page on Requirements and Instructions for Participation.

How do I make an appointment if I am an existing patient at Rancho Los Amigos?
The next time you have an appointment in clinic or with therapy, let them know you are interested in driving and a referral can be generated. Once we receive the referral, a letter or call will inform you if the Finance Department needs to be contacted before your appointment. If you are a Rancho inpatient, an appointment may be scheduled before your discharge from the hospital.

How much will it cost?
Most health insurances do not cover Occupational Therapy (OT) driving-related services. The Business Office/Patient Finance Department will determine eligibility for financial assistance or share-of-cost programs. Many patients in Los Angeles County may qualify for financial assistance. The cost for self paying outpatients is $450.00 for the 2 hour evaluation (1 hour in the office with the OT and 1 hour on the road with the driving instructor/OT). For 1 hour of OT Driver Training, the cost is $300.00. The cost may change without notice. For Rancho inpatients, the cost is covered by the daily hospital rate for OT services.

How many sessions will be needed?
After the evaluation, we determine the number of training sessions needed. The number of sessions depends on your previous driving experience, your ability to use the driving equipment safely and the severity of your disability or injury.

What does the evaluation consist of?
The OT clinical evaluation is done in the therapy office. The OT evaluates vision (far/near acuity, color blindness, side vision scanning/tracking, contrast sensitivity, center alignment, depth perception, etc.); cognition/thinking ability (processing speed, visual memory, problem solving, short term memory, etc.); the function of the arms and legs (strength, sensation, range of motion, coordination, reaction time, tone/spasticity, etc); and medical conditions/ medications. We also assess the importance of mobility in your life and how and why it is important to be independent with transportation. Funding issues with vehicle and equipment are explored. The on-road evaluation is done in the training car or van. Transfers in and out of the car, equipment loading, and comfortable fit in the vehicle are assessed. The driving instructor has a gas and brake pedal on his side to control the vehicle. Assessment of appropriate driving equipment is done along with safe driving skills.

Do I still need to go to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) if I get tested with you?
Yes, you may still need to go to the DMV if you were notified by them for re-evaluation or license renewal. We are not the DMV. We can prepare you for the DMV road test. You may be able to use our modified vehicle for the DMV test, depending on our availability. You will need to test at the DMV with a DMV examiner.

Do you use a driving simulator?
Yes, the driving simulator is used to practice pre-driving skills such as sequencing, speed control, lane alignment, problem solving, reaction time, etc. as well as using some adaptive driving equipment.

Who does the evaluation?
The Occupational Therapist does the clinical evaluation. The Driving Instructor is a credentialed school teacher. Both are Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists who will accompany you in the vehicle.

What type of driving equipment do you have?
Our training car is equipped with a left manual hand control and standard turn signal or right turn signal extension. There is a left foot accelerator for those who cannot use their right foot for driving. The program van is a full-sized van with a rear lift, 6-way driver seat, tie downs, manual and power hand controls. The van has reduced effort steering for easier steering for those with arm weakness. Both vehicles have a variety of steering devices, like a spinner knob, tri-pin, or post, depending on the need. A chest harness is used for those with weak trunk muscles. There are a variety of different mirrors, cushions and switches available.

Shall I buy my vehicle before the evaluation and do the training in my own vehicle?
NO. Do not buy a vehicle or driving equipment. It is recommended that you wait until after the evaluation and training are completed so that you do not buy the wrong things. Most certified vehicle vendors do not install equipment without proof of training. Also, do not buy a vehicle until you have your permanent wheelchair.

I am not interested in driving, but I need a vehicle for transportation. Do you help with this?
Yes, we do passenger evaluations and make recommendations regarding what types of vehicles are best.

Can I buy special car equipment from your driving program?
No. We will provide you with a list of recommended vehicle modifications, equipment and vendors that supply the equipment.

I will never drive alone. Can my spouse help me get into the car and load my wheelchair?
The DMV requires you to be independent with transfers into the vehicle and independent with loading equipment to be an independent driver. If you are unable to transfer independently then another option might be to use a van with a wheelchair ramp and drive while sitting in your wheelchair.

If I come to your program, will you report me to the DMV?
Our evaluations and recommendations will go back to the physician who referred you. It will be the physician's responsibility to notify the DMV if you are an unsafe driver or if you need to be re-evaluated.

The DMV gave me a 5 page form, the Driver Medical Evaluation Form. Can you fill this out?
This form is issued by the DMV Driver Safety Office, a separate branch of the DMV. Your driving status needs to be re-evaluated and more medical information is needed from your physician. We cannot fill this out. Medical Records cannot fill this out. Your physician, or the Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner can complete this form with the physician's signature. There may be a 30-day period to complete this form or your license may be suspended. An informal hearing/telephone or in-person interview will follow and a driver permit may be granted.

I'm not sure that my license is valid or not. How can I find out?
Go to your local DMV office and ask for a printout of your license status. This may cost $5.00. The printout will say if your license if valid or if it has been suspended.

My license was suspended. How do I get it back?
You need to go to your local DMV, fill out an application for a license/permit and pay $25.00 for a new license/permit, pay $55.00 for the suspension fee (costs subject to change). You may be required to take the vision and written test. You can get the free DMV handbook at the DMV office. If you go online at www.dmv.ca.gov, you can get information about applying for a license, download sample written tests, and find out what to expect for your road test.

My license was suspended and I'm not sure if I want to invest in all the work to get my license back. Can you see me for a driving evaluation without a license?
We can see you for the OT clinical evaluation only, not on the road, depending on the situation. You can have pre-driving skill training on the driving simulator. No on-road evaluation is permitted without a valid license or permit.

If I fail my driving evaluation with you, does this mean I can't drive?
If you do not do well the first time, you may be asked to return. We would need to assess carryover of new learning or explore different driving equipment. It is recommended that you do not drive on your own until training is completed. Alternative transportation may be explored.

I don't drive freeways. Do I have to drive the freeway to pass the DMV drive test?
No. You may qualify for a restricted license, such as no freeway or even no night driving. We may also do a residential drive in your neighborhood.

Does your program train new drivers?
If you are under 18 years of age, our program does not meet the DMV requirements for driver training. However, we do provide some driver education, assistance with sample written tests, and can check your vision to see if you can pass the DMV required 20/40 far vision test.

Driver Evaluation and Training Program Frequently Asked Questions

Driver Evaluation and Training Program
Frequently Asked Questions