Brain Injury

A brain injury can affect your driving capacity, but we can help you safely return to driving..

Who needs an assessment?

an OT driving assessment may be needed when a driver (or a leaner driver) has a medical condition or disability that may affect driving capacity. You may be asked to complete an assessment by:

  1. The RMS or your treating doctor (referral required)
  2. The NDIS if you want to apply for NDIS-funded driving lessons and/or vehicle modifications
  3. Your insurer (e.g. CTP) or other provider

Driving solutions for you

Modified Driving Solutions is ready to help!

Specialised OTs

Friendly Driver Trained OTs with comprehensive experience in brain injuries and assessing their impact on driving skills.

Customised recommendations

Specialised driving lessons and/or vehicle modifications are recommended if required. We can help you apply for NDIS funding for driving lessons and vehicle modifications.

Ongoing support

Your OT monitors your driving progress and follows up with a driving reassessment if suitable.

brain injury woman driving
Brain injury and driving

Introduction It can be frightening to think about getting back [...]

Female returning to driving after a traumatic brain injury
OT driving assessment after a brain injury

How can a brain injury affect my driving? A brain [...]

FAQ

In general, it is advised not to drive for at least 24 hours after a head injury (concussion) and you must not drive until all symptoms have resolved (e.g. dizziness, fatigue, eyesight problems). Your doctor will give you medical clearance to return to driving. Guidance will vary depending on the severity of the injury and your licence class. Commercial licence holders will generally require longer waiting periods before returning to driving, as they have greater safety standards. The RMS must be notified if you have suffered a brain injury.

After undergoing brain surgery, there is usually a minimum of 6 weeks where you cannot drive, but this varies depending on the type of surgery, your recovery and if there are other complications (e.g. seizures). Commercial licence holders also have longer periods of no driving due to higher safety standards. Your

neurosurgeon will guide you about returning to driving, and the RMS must be notified of your condition.

Yes, you are legally required to notify RMS if you have undergone brain surgery or suffered a brain injury. Usually, your doctor will make this declaration to RMS and will need to submit the RMS medical form. The RMS will contact you if they require more information (e.g. further medical assessments) or if there will be changes to your licence.

Commercial licences have higher standards of safety than private licences, hence commercial drivers often need to wait longer to return to work. It is important not to return to driving a heavy vehicle until you have been medically cleared by your doctor/specialist. The RMS must be notified of the injury and will contact you if they require more information.