Learning to drive is one of the biggest steps toward independence. If you have a disability and you're on the Gold Coast or in the surrounding region, you might be wondering whether driving is realistic for you, where to start, and what support is available.

An OT driving assessment is the best place to begin. It answers the fundamental question, does this person have the potential to learn to drive, before significant time and money are invested in lessons.

What is a "potential to drive" assessment?

A potential to drive assessment is an OT evaluation designed specifically for learner and pre-learner drivers. It looks at whether you have the underlying cognitive, visual, and physical skills needed to learn to drive, and what supports you'd need to get there.

This is different from a standard OT driving assessment (which evaluates whether an existing driver is still safe to drive). A potential to drive assessment is forward-looking: it's about working out whether learning to drive is a realistic goal, and what the pathway looks like for that individual.

It's relevant for people with a range of conditions, including autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, ADHD, cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, and other conditions that may affect the skills involved in driving.

Why not just start with driving lessons?

This is one of the most common (and most costly) mistakes. Families understandably want to give their young person every opportunity, and booking lessons feels like the obvious first step.

The problem is that standard driving instructors are not trained to identify the cognitive, perceptual, or learning differences that come with many disabilities. If a learner is struggling and the instructor doesn't understand why, lessons become expensive, frustrating, and unproductive.

An OT assessment first means:

• You know whether driving is a realistic goal before investing in lessons

• The OT can recommend the right type of instruction (a rehabilitation driving instructor rather than a standard instructor)

• A structured pathway is designed around the individual's strengths and challenges

• NDIS funding requests are supported by clinical evidence

• Expectations are realistic from the start

What the assessment involves

Part 1: Off-road assessment

Conducted at your home, this takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes. The OT assesses:

Cognitive skills. Attention, concentration, processing speed, decision-making, spatial awareness, memory, and the ability to follow multi-step instructions. These are the thinking skills that underpin safe driving.

Visual skills. Visual acuity, peripheral vision, and visual processing.

Physical function. Upper and lower limb strength, coordination, range of motion, and reaction time.

Road rule knowledge. A basic check of understanding, not expected to be perfect at this stage.

A conversation with you and your family or support network. Goals, motivation, concerns, and the practical supports available (who will supervise practice driving, for example).

Part 2: Practical component

Depending on your experience and readiness, this might include a behind-the-wheel trial with the OT and a specialist driving instructor, or (for very early-stage learners) observational activities that help the OT assess how you process the driving environment.

Possible outcomes

Ready to start driving lessons. The foundational skills are present, and the OT recommends a structured pathway with a rehabilitation driving instructor.

Ready with specific supports. You can start lessons, but with accommodations identified by the OT (structured lesson plans, shorter sessions, specific teaching approaches).

Foundational skills need development first. The OT recommends a capacity building program before starting on-road lessons. A reassessment is planned after this period.

Driving is not a realistic goal at this time. In some cases, the assessment identifies that the person's current abilities are not sufficient for safe driving. For younger people whose skills are still developing, reassessment at a later date may be worth considering. For others, the OT will discuss alternative transport and community mobility options.

The OT's role is to give families an honest, clinical answer early, so that time and money go toward the right goal.

Getting your licence in Queensland

For those assessed as having the potential to drive, the steps in Queensland are:

1. Learner's licence. Pass the written road rules test at a Queensland Transport and Main Roads customer service centre to get your learner's licence.

2. Supervised driving practice. Queensland requires 100 hours of supervised driving practice (including 10 hours of night driving) for learner drivers under 25 who are getting a P1 provisional licence.

3. Driving lessons with a rehabilitation driving instructor, based on the OT's recommendations.

4. OT reassessment to confirm readiness for the practical driving test.

5. Practical driving test through Queensland Transport. If vehicle modifications are involved, the testing process may differ.

Research suggests that learner drivers with disabilities (particularly those with autism or ADHD) often require roughly twice as many lessons as neurotypical peers. This is normal and expected. A patient, structured approach is the most effective path.

NDIS funding on the Gold Coast

For eligible NDIS participants with self-managed or plan-managed plans, the pathway to driving can often be funded. This includes:

The OT assessment, typically funded under Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living.

Driving lessons with a specialist rehabilitation driving instructor, also under Capacity Building.

Vehicle modifications if needed, under Assistive Technology.

Reassessment after completing a block of lessons.

Driving is a strong NDIS goal because of the direct link to independence and community access. Frame it around what driving enables: getting to work, accessing education, participating in social activities, reducing reliance on family or support workers.

If the assessment determines that driving isn't a realistic goal, the OT report can support alternative funding requests, such as transport assistance or community mobility training.

Your support coordinator or plan manager can help with the details.

Important note: Steer Driving works with self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants. If your plan is NDIA-managed (agency-managed), you'll need to use a registered NDIS provider.

Cross-border note

If you live in Northern NSW (Tweed Heads, Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore and surrounds) and want an assessment, the OT assessment process is the same, but the licensing pathway follows NSW rules rather than Queensland rules. The main difference is that your referral goes through Transport for NSW rather than Queensland TMR, and the supervised driving hour requirements may differ.

Steer Driving covers both the Gold Coast and Northern NSW. If you're unsure about which process applies to you, get in touch and we'll sort it out.

How to start

Your GP, paediatrician, psychiatrist, or specialist can refer you for an OT driving assessment. If driving is part of your NDIS plan, your support coordinator can also help arrange the referral.

You can start the process at steerdriving.com.au/referral.

Ready to book an OT driving assessment on the Gold Coast? Steer Driving is a mobile assessment service covering the Gold Coast and surrounding areas. Whether you already have a referral or you're just getting started, get in touch and we'll guide you through the next steps.

This article was written by Elise, an AHPRA-registered Occupational Therapist and driver assessor. Elise is the founder of Steer Driving, a mobile OT driving assessment practice.

FAQ Section

What is a potential to drive assessment? It's an OT evaluation for learner and pre-learner drivers that assesses whether you have the foundational skills needed to learn to drive. It's designed for people with disabilities and is different from a standard driving assessment.

Do I need a learner's licence before the assessment? No. You can have a potential to drive assessment before getting your learner's licence. The assessment helps determine whether pursuing a licence is a realistic goal.

How many supervised hours do I need for my P1 licence in Queensland? Queensland requires 100 hours of supervised driving practice (including 10 hours at night) for learner drivers under 25 progressing to a P1 provisional licence.

Can the NDIS fund driving assessments and lessons on the Gold Coast? For eligible participants with self-managed or plan-managed plans, yes. The OT assessment, driving lessons, and vehicle modifications can be funded when driving supports independence and community access goals.

Do you service Northern NSW as well as the Gold Coast? Yes. Steer Driving covers the Gold Coast and Northern NSW (Tweed Heads, Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore and surrounds). If you're in Northern NSW, the licensing process follows NSW rules rather than Queensland rules.

What if the assessment says driving isn't realistic? The OT will discuss this with you honestly and explore alternatives, such as community transport or NDIS-funded transport supports. For younger people whose skills are still developing, reassessment at a later date may be appropriate.