How do I get approved to drive or receive vehicle mods?

You will need a driving assessment to be approved to drive or to understand what vehicle modifications you might need. These assessments are done by authorised Vehicle Assessors.

Click here to download our list of contact details for vehicle assessors.

What a Vehicle Assessor does

When an occupational therapist does an assessment, they will establish what the person needs help to do when using a vehicle.

“Whatever we do, it’s got to be done in a way that means the person is safe. That their driving is safe, or their travelling as a passenger is safe,” says Kevin O'Leary, an occupational therapist and vehicle modifications expert.

“If the person’s driving, where do they need to be sitting to steer? Where are their legs in relationship to the pedals on the floor that they’re not going to be using? And then, where does the hand control need to go in relation to where they are sitting to steer?”

If someone needs to travel in a wheelchair, one of the main considerations is making sure the modifications are compatible with the wheelchair.

Kevin says other aspects such as the person’s height and weight must also be considered. This ensures the right-sized vehicle is chosen.

Understanding vehicle modifications

Just as every person is unique, each vehicle modification is also different. There is no standard vehicle modification because every disabled person has different requirements.

But there are some common modifications. These include:

• hand controls

• left-foot accelerators

• wheelchair stowage equipment

• handbrake devices

• hoists and ramps.

Most modifications are for people who either need to drive the vehicle, or travel as a passenger.