SteeringWheelWinter2022 FINAL - Flipbook - Page 8
Judge by ability, not disability
Resumption of On-Road Driving
Assessment Service
The Disabled Drivers Association
provided an on-road driving assessment
service for many years. However, when
the Covid 19 pandemic hit in 2019 the
service was suspended. We are pleased
to announce the resumption of the
service and it is available by referral
from your GP or consultant.
The Disabled Drivers Association is actively involved
with the National Office for Traffic Medicine and works
to ensure that drivers who have treatable illnesses
or some loss of function due to a medical condition,
accident, or illness retain their independence and
mobility.
When is it necessary to do an on-road driving
assessment?
An on-road driving assessment may be recommended
by a medial health professional to establish whether
you are fit to drive. This could be for a multitude of
reasons particularly the presence or change of any
medical condition(s) or functional impairment which
may impact your ability to drive safely, for example
– cognitive impairment, stroke, Parkinson’s disease,
Multiple Sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, spinal injury,
amputation etc.
What is an on-road driving assessment?
An on-road driving assessment should last no longer
than 1 hour 30 minutes. Firstly, your approved driving
assessor will gather information about your current
driving habits, driver licence details, eyesight, physical
range of movement and strength and any prescribed
medication that might impair your ability to drive safely.
This is followed by an on-road driving assessment,
conducted by your approved driving assessor and
consists of a range of driving situations such as high
and low speed zones, controlled and uncontrolled
intersections, parking and manoeuvring. The drive
will include situations that you would normally face
when driving but if relevant, you may also include
motorway or dual carriageway driving. An on-road
driving assessment is not a driving test but rather an
8
assessment of your ability to safely control your vehicle
and to drive safely.
Who pays for the on-road driving assessment?
You will be required to pay the cost of your on-road
driving assessment.
When do I need to provide a valid medical
report?
Your application must be accompanied by a medical
report form if any of the following apply to you:
• You are aged 75 or over
• You suffer from certain medical conditions (visit
www.ndls.ie for a list of conditions)
• Your current driving licence or learner permit
includes the notation code 101 which indicates
that renewal is subject to submission of a valid
medical report
• You have ever suffered from alcoholism
• You have ever suffered from epilepsy
• You are applying for a learner permit or driving
licence in any of the C or D categories (bus and
truck) C1, C, D1, D, C1E, CE, D1E or DE.
• On a regular basis you are taking, drugs or
medication which would be likely to make you an
unsafe driver
Useful websites
• Disabled Drivers Association – www.ddai.ie
• National Driver License Service - www.ndls.ie
• The Road Safety Authority - www.rsa.ie