Specialised Driver Training referrals in Hobart, TAS

Assessment and training to help a participant learn to drive with their disability, including advice on the vehicle modifications they may need.

Specialised Driver Training is a capacity-building support that helps a person with disability learn to drive, or return to driving after an injury, illness or a change in their condition. It combines an occupational therapy driving assessment with practical, on-road tuition delivered by a driver-trained occupational therapist working alongside an accredited driving instructor experienced with disability.

The support usually begins with an off-road assessment of vision, cognition, reaction time and physical function, then progresses to on-road lessons in a vehicle fitted with any adaptive controls or modifications the participant needs. It also covers advice on which vehicle modifications or adaptive driving equipment would suit the participant so they can drive safely and as independently as possible.

The focus is on building the participant's capacity for independent transport and reducing reliance on paid or informal travel supports. Importantly, the physical vehicle modifications themselves are assistive technology and are quoted and funded separately; driver training covers the assessment, the tuition and the recommendations that inform any modification or licensing decision.

Coordinator FAQs

Does the provider need to be NDIS registered to deliver driver training?
Not necessarily. Specialised driver training is not a support that legally requires registration the way behaviour support or SDA does. Agency-managed participants must use a registered provider, but plan-managed and self-managed participants can use registered or unregistered providers, provided they hold the right professional…
Are vehicle modifications covered by driver training?
No. Driver training covers the assessment, the lessons and the recommendations about what a participant needs. The physical modifications and adaptive equipment, such as hand controls or a wheelchair hoist, are assistive technology and are quoted and funded separately, usually after the occupational therapy assessment identifies the…
What qualifications should the assessor have?
A driver-trained occupational therapist should complete the driving assessment, as they combine clinical knowledge of the disability with specific driver-assessment training. They typically work alongside an accredited driving instructor who has experience teaching people with disability and access to a dual-control, modified vehicle. Ask…
Which part of the plan funds this support?
Specialised driver training is generally funded from a participant's capacity-building budget, because it builds the skills for independent transport. The exact budget and line items depend on how the plan is written and the participant's goals, so check the plan and the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Confirm…
Can a participant learning to drive for the first time access this?
Yes. Driver training supports both first-time learners with disability and people returning to driving after an acquired injury or a change in their condition. For a new learner, the assessment establishes whether driving is realistic and what supports are needed. The participant still progresses through the normal learner licence…
What happens after the assessment?
The occupational therapist provides a report with recommendations: whether the participant can drive, what adaptive controls or modifications are needed, any licence conditions, and roughly how many lessons are likely. This report supports both the driver licensing authority and any assistive technology funding request. Practical lessons…
Does the driver licensing authority need to be involved?
Yes. Driving with a medical condition or disability is regulated by the state or territory driver licensing authority. The occupational therapy assessment often feeds into their decision about licence conditions, such as an automatic-only or modified-controls condition. The provider usually liaises with the authority, but confirm the…
How do I refer through Novida?
Search Novida for verified providers offering driver training or occupational therapy driving assessment near the participant, check their qualifications and current capacity, then contact them directly with a complete referral: consent, NDIS number, plan-management type, relevant goals and budget, and the participant's licence and…