Driving Solutions of Tennessee,  LLC

Who is a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist? 

 

A Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS) is nationally recognized as the highest standard of practice in the field.  A CDRS must earn continuing education credits as a requirement to maintain certification through ADED (The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists).  Additionally, a CDRS is obligated to abide by ADED's Best Practice Guidelines and Code of Ethics. 

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Why choose us? 

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Driving Solutions of Tennessee, LLC provides medically based driver evaluations and adaptive equipment training to determine safety for independent community mobility.​

• We are with you every step of the way to help you feel safe & confident behind the driver’s seat.

• We meet you at your home and work with you in your own community.

• We help you find equipment to make driving easier.

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Who might need a driver evaluation? 

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Medical conditions can change the way we move, think, and see. If you show any of these changes or other characteristics, you may benefit from a driver evaluation with us:

• Slower reaction time

• Shorter attention span

• Lagging reflexes

• Stiff joints or weak muscles

• Poor eyesight

• Diminished night vision

• Hearing problems

• Reduced memory

• Poor decision-making skills

• Forgetfulness

• Drowsiness or medication effects

• Increase in accidents or near misses

• Physical impairments (amputation, foot drop, nerve injury, hemiplegia, neuropathy, etc.)

• Recent major medical illnesses or events

• Increased anxiety and agitation

• Frequent falls

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What is a driver evaluation?

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A driver evaluation is an evaluation of an individual’s driving. It includes 3 main steps.

Step 1: Review of clinical testing of sensation, vision, movement, & thinking.
Step 2: A behind-the-wheel assessment in a driving rehab vehicle.
Step 3: Discussion of outcomes.

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​How long is the full driver evaluation? 

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The full evaluation takes about 3-4 hours. 

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Do you provide driver training for new drivers or drivers with a permit only?

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We do not currently provide driver training services for novice or unlicensed drivers.  

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Can I use my own car for the driver evaluation?

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Step 2 of the driving evaluation takes place in our driver rehab car. We use our car because it has special equipment for added safety. Don’t worry! We appreciate that driving someone else’s car requires adjustment. Therefore, the first thing we will do is give you time to get use to our car. Then, once you are ready, the evaluation will begin.

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What are the possible outcomes of the driver evaluation?

 

During step 3 of the driver evaluation, we will talk to you and your family member about your outcome. Your DRS will talk about patterns of safety or concern with driving. Outcomes may include return to or continue driving, additional driver training, hold on driving with plans for re-evaluation, or driving retirement.

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Will you take my driver's license? 

 

No, as specialists, we evaluate your performance with driving and any impact from illness or injury. We work with you, your family, and doctor to help determine safe goals with driving. At times we do send reports to the State of Tennessee Driver Improvement Center since fitness to drive is a matter of public safety. The State of Tennessee DMV is the licensing agency that holds all authority for your driver’s license.

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When is driver training recommended? 

 

Sometimes, if you have not driven for a while, or you are recovering from a new injury, driver training may be helpful. Training is also provided if you are learning to drive with adaptive equipment. After your evaluation, your specialist will talk to you about recommendations for driver training and provide you with a plan. Driver training sessions typically run from 1 to 2 hours and the number of training sessions vary from driver to driver.

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As a driver, do I need to be able to transfer in and out of a sedan?

 

Yes, all drivers must be able to independently transfer into and out of a sedan driver seat to participate in our program’s client services.

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What if I am not comfortable using a different car than my own?

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We appreciate that driving someone else’s vehicle may take some adjustment. Therefore, the evaluation is started by allowing you time to adjust and get use to the vehicle. Once you are ready, then the evaluation will begin first by traveling to familiar locations in your community and then by being challenged with less familiar routes.

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Who will receive a copy of my evaluation?

 

Outcomes are shared with your referring doctor and may be shared with the State of Tennessee Driver Improvement Center.

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What do I need for my appointment?

 

Please have these items ready for your appointment:

• Valid driver’s license

• Completed Intake & Signed forms

• Payment 

  • Checks can be made out to Driving Solutions of Tennessee.​

  • Credit card purchases are accepted. However, the client will incur the credit card processing charges, which average about 3%. 

  • Cash 

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Why do I need a referral from my doctor?

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Many of our clients are recovering from a medical illness or injury and therefore need to secure their doctor’s permission to participate in the driver evaluation. The referral order for an, “Occupational Therapy Driving Evaluation & Treatment,” serves as permission to evaluate you.  We are happy to fax a blank referral order request to your referring physician as a convenience. 

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What paperwork will I need to sign? 

 

Prior to your appointment, you will be provided online access to our forms including a medical release, release of liability, and attestation of driver’s license. Please take time to carefully read and sign these forms. Please note we require all forms to be completed and signed prior to participation in our program services.

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When is payment due?

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Payment is due at the time of service via check, credit card, or cash. Checks may be made out to ‘Driving Solutions of TN.’ Your payment will be collected at the start of your appointment.

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Is a driver evaluation covered by insurance?

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Driving Solutions of Tennessee LLC is a private, cash-based practice. Driver evaluations generally are not covered by insurance, and we do not bill insurance. Should your insurance provider cover this service, we are more than happy to provide you with a copy of your driver evaluation to submit for reimbursement. Please note, payment is still due at the time of service and any insurance filing is the responsibility of the client.

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Am I able to use my Health Savings Account (HSA) for this service?

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Your driver evaluation is being provided by a licensed occupational therapist with advanced training in driving rehabilitation in order to review your medical fitness to drive. Please consult individually with your HSA to confirm this service is approved for HSA billing.

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Will my car insurance cover a driver evaluation?

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It may! More and more car insurance companies are reimbursing drivers for completing driver evaluations after recovery. Check with your insurance provider to see if this might be an option for you.

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What if I need to cancel my appointment?

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When you schedule your appointment with us, we block off several hours to be able to provide you with individualized care. We understand that things do come up and you may need to reschedule your appointment. Should you need to do so, we request you reschedule any needs at least 48 hours in advance of your appointment. This will provide us with enough time to help reshuffle our schedule. Appointment cancellations that occur within 48 hours, are subject to a cancellation fee of $50. Cancellation fees will be billed directly to the client.

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Can I drive myself to my appointment?

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Please have a licensed friend or family member bring you to your appointment.
In most situations, we will gladly meet and work with you from your home. However, should we meet you at another location, please do NOT drive yourself to your appointment. This appointment includes an evaluation of your driving behaviors. Therefore, all clients should be driven to/from the appointment by another licensed driver. If a driver transports him/herself to the appointment, alternative arrangements for return to home will be arranged and the driver rehab specialist has the right to cancel the appointment. Cancellation fee may apply.

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I babysit my grandchild during the day. Is it okay if I bring him/her to the appointment?

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During your time with us, we want you to be able to focus and do you best! Therefore, clients must be available for evaluation without any dependents present, including children or other adults that require supervision.

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My mother has dementia.  She has good days and bad days.  What if she is evaluated on a good day?

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Dementia and other progressive conditions may result in the presentation of inconsistent performance skills, requiring more than one session to establish a pattern of driving behaviors. Your driver rehab specialist will work with you to develop an individualized plan.

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When might I need adaptive equipment?

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If you have loss of sensation in your right foot, or have lost the use of your arm or leg, there may be adaptive equipment options to make it easier to drive. During your driver evaluation, we will help select and trial adaptive equipment options. Common adaptive driving equipment options include hand controls, steering devices, adaptive mirrors, and left foot accelerators (for using the left foot for gas & brake).

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How long does it take to learn to drive with adaptive equipment?

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Learning to drive with adaptive equipment requires training, support, and time.

• Training for equipment may range from a few sessions to several weeks, depending on your adaptive equipment needs. After your driver evaluation, we will provide an estimate of anticipated training needs.

• Support is provided to facilitate your process through your state’s adaptive driving equipment licensing procedure. Many states have adaptive equipment processes in place for licensing to drive with adaptive equipment and may include paperwork and a driving test at the department of motor vehicle office. Depending on your state, this process may take several weeks.

• Expertise for equipment will be provided to help find an equipment vendor, to select & prescribe the equipment that best fits your needs, and to ensure installed equipment works well for you in the car.

While learning to drive with adaptive equipment may take some time, your skilled driver rehabilitation specialist will support you every step of the way!

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I am already trained to use adaptive equipment, but I need an updated prescription.  Can you help? 

 

Experienced, licensed adaptive equipment drivers seeking an adaptive equipment prescription may benefit from a modified evaluation process at a discounted price. Please reach out directly to us for information.

Clients learning to use new adaptive driving equipment are subject to the comprehensive driving evaluation and training process.

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How much does a driver evaluation cost?

 

Our comprehensive driving evaluation starts at $400. For those residing beyond our coverage area, a travel fee may apply to offset travel time and fuel costs. Please reach out to us directly for a quote.

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