10 Hour Evidence Based Continuing Education (CEU) Course for BOTH Occupational & Physical Therapists – Clinical Driver Evaluations

What does the course entail?

This course will guide you through the steps of a comprehensive clinical driver evaluation for Tier I patients, meaning these patients will not require adaptive equipment. Specifically the modules will provide valuable information on the cognitive, visual, perceptual, behavioral and physical limitations that may impact driving performance. It will also focus on evaluating common medical conditions impacting driving safety without the need to modify a vehicle such as dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and CVA. This course will NOT provide information on car modifications or adaptive equipment options.

Agenda? Online modules are available at the participants own leisure

Total Number of Contact Hours? Ten (10.0) hours of direct OT/PT related clinical education and patient care training

Level and Audience? Introductory or intermediate level occupational and physical therapists (Including OT/PT students, professors, and practitioners with any level of experience in the field)

What equipment is required for a driver evaluation?

The clinical evaluation requires minimal equipment to assess the driver. Many of the assessments are done using printed materials or standard therapy equipment, such as a goniometer and Snellen Chart. Some specialty tools like the Optec vision screener can make the evaluation easier and more efficient for the clinician to assess vision in real-time. However, clinics lacking this resource can still provide the service, but the clinician should recommend an ophthalmology evaluation for patients with advanced vision problems, such as field cuts, to ensure they meet minimum vision standards for driving before referring the patient for the on-road assessment. You can access cognitive assessment tools in our database, including the SLUMS, Short Blessed Test, Trail Making Part A and B, along with resources for scoring/norming.

Is a car necessary for clinical driver evaluations?

No, the clinical evaluation focuses solely on performing assessments in a clinic or the patient’s home. The clinical evaluation is the first step in the process of the comprehensive driving evaluation and is meant to identify any issues that could affect driving performance. Once the clinical evaluation is complete, the clinician refers the patient to the on-road evaluation provider, who performs the in-car driving portion of the comprehensive driving evaluation.

In what settings can driving evaluations be conducted?

Primarily, clinical driver evaluations occur in OT/PT outpatient clinics. However, this training is valuable for inpatient, acute care, and home-based therapists to address their patient’s driving goals and identify warning signs of driving safety. Clinicians can learn how to screen patients effectively before recommending a formal clinical driver evaluation.

Payment Due Dates and Mode of Payment?

For all training methods offered: Payment is due upon initial signup and before attending the class
Credit cards, checks and cash are accepted for in person classes

Cancellation/Refund Policy? 

Participants may request a full refund at any time prior to the class. HOWEVER, once the class has started, regardless of the method, no refund shall be offered.  If a participant has an emergency or desires to start where they left off in any class, their tuition shall be good for up to one year from the start date.

How long are the modules in the training?

Each module will require a different amount of time to complete. Once you sign up and start the course, the estimated amount of time you will spend on each module will be shown above the slide. This time does not take into consideration the amount of time you will spend answering the in-line exam prep questions. Please note* The timer will turn off if you are looking at another tab instead of the videos and it will turn off when you exit out of the modules*

For the self paced modules, can I exit out and pick up where I left off?

Yes– you will not lose credit for the completed sections OR the time you have spent on the modules when you exit out. While we do recommend finishing each module in one sitting, if you must stop in the middle of a module, please write down the slide number you will pick up on. This is important as the specific slide you end on will not be displayed when re-opening the webpage.

Do I have to pass an exam to get credit?

Yes– There are two 50 question exams based on content directly from the modules. You must score >70% to move on to the second half of the course AND in order to get credit for completion of the course. You will have 2 attempts for each exam to pass. If you do not pass after the second attempt, then you must retake the modules.

My state is listed as “no- pre approval required”, what does this mean?

According to your state organization or board, this course should be acceptable based on their guidelines. For example, many PT states do not require pre-approval if it is approved by another APTA state chapter. Like many PT states, some OT states also do not pre- approve courses and others share reciprocity with other states organizations for CEU courses. If you are ever in doubt, please check with your state board.

Cara Harman, OTD, OTR/L
CODE-CCDE Director of Clinical
Research and Development

Cara graduated Summa Cum Laude from Virginia Tech in 2018 with an Honors degree and Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Following this accomplishment, she received her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy with honors from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in 2021.

Her journey began at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta, Georgia, where she currently serves as the outpatient OT neurological rehab leader, continuing her dedicated practice. Each day, Cara provides care to patients with a wide range of neurological and orthopedic conditions, and she is the sole therapist conducting clinical driver evaluations at Emory Decatur.

Cara’s clinical practice experience spans various neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, MS, MD, CVA, SCI, TBI, neuropathy, amputations, congenital deformities, cerebral palsy, ADHD, ASD, and learning disabilities. Additionally, she evaluates and treats orthopedic injuries and conditions of the upper extremity, including arthritis, fractures, nerve injuries, and various forms of tendonitis.

In 2020, Cara received training to perform clinical driving evaluations at the VCU Neuroscience, Orthopaedic & Wellness (NOW) Center in Richmond, Virginia. Since 2021, she has been offering clinical driver evaluations to patients of all ages at Emory Healthcare. Her passion for education has led her to deliver numerous in-services and presentations in Atlanta, and was also asked to present on clinical driving evaluations at both the Georgia and Alabama Occupational Therapy Association conferences in 2023.

Beyond her role at Emory Healthcare, Cara has been making significant contributions to Barber’s Driving School since 2022. As a part-time team member, she plays a vital role in leading training sessions for both behind-the-wheel instructors and therapists. Additionally, in her capacity as the Director of Clinical Research and Development, she is dedicated to implementing best practices and evidence-based assessment tools for driving evaluations, ensuring the highest quality of care for all individuals with diverse diagnoses and across all age groups. In acknowledgment of Cara’s steadfast dedication to her Atlanta community and the state of Georgia, the Georgia Occupational Therapy Association (GOTA) proudly named her the OT Practitioner of the Year for 2023.

Moreover, Cara’s collaborative efforts extend beyond the boundaries of Georgia. Working with various driving schools in multiple US states, she continues to advance her mission of delivering a holistic approach to comprehensive driving evaluations. Through her unwavering dedication, she ensures that individuals seeking driving evaluations receive the utmost care, tailored to their specific needs and conditions.

Dustin Abram, OTR/L, CDRS
CODE-CCDE Research & Development
Trainer

Dustin graduated Cum Laude from American Public University with a BA in psychology and earned his MS in Occupational Therapy from Brenau University in 2018. Dustin is a nationally certified occupational therapist and is licensed in the state of Georgia. He discovered a passion for driving as a student in graduate school during his internship, and he began his career in a community-based driver rehabilitation setting. Dustin has extensive education and training in the field of driver rehabilitation and earned national recognition through the Association of Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED) to become a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS) in 2020. Dustin combines his experience as a certified driving instructor with his unique occupational therapy skills to deliver exceptional, personalized care, helping individuals achieve their driving goals with confidence. He has been instrumental in assisting countless individuals with driving challenges due to age-related changes or medical conditions since 2018.

Dustin is a natural entrepreneur and visionary strategist with proven business development skills through the companies he has founded, including Prosper Therapy Services and Elite Driver Rehab. Dustin serves as Prosper Therapy’s Chief Business Officer, and he is President of Elite Driver Rehab, where he continues to provide driver rehabilitation services for people throughout Georgia. He is passionate about learning and passing on his knowledge by teaching others. Dustin has been involved in numerous lectures and educational presentations related to driver rehabilitation, and has been involved in several driving safety initiatives, such as the Georgia Older Driver Task Force and CarFit. He is also an active member of professional associations including the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED) and Georgia Occupational Therapy Association (GOTA). Dustin began working for Barber’s Driving School in 2022, where he assisted in the research and development of training courses for the CODE-CCDE program. Dustin serves as a trainer and managing partner in the CODE-CCDE program, where he utilizes his experience and expertise as a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist to support clinical staff and driving instructors.