Behind the Wheel Course/Training

Course Description

Driving is a multifaceted skill that requires seamless coordination of physical, cognitive, and perceptual abilities. While age alone does not determine driving ability, older adults may experience changes that can affect driving safety. An on-road driver evaluation can help identify these changes and guide decisions about continued safe driving. Unfortunately, access to these valuable evaluations is often limited, despite increasing demand among the aging population.

The CODE-CCDE program model promotes a collaborative, structured approach to delivering comprehensive driver evaluations as part of the broader spectrum of driver services. This framework, developed through joint efforts by The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists and AOTA, establishes common language and models for evaluating driver safety and performance. At the core of the program is the training and support of professionals conducting on-road assessments to ensure evaluations are thorough, consistent, and grounded in best practice.

Trained providers in the CODE-CCDE program will be able to:

  • Apply knowledge of medical conditions and their potential impact on driving safety
  • Observe and assess cognitive, visual, perceptual, behavioral, and physical factors during real-time driving performance
  • Integrate clinical knowledge with findings from the on-road evaluation to make informed recommendations
  • Understand and respond to the needs of drivers and their families when planning for continued mobility or transition
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to connect clients with appropriate resources and support

Tuition

Self Paced Online Course
$195
Enroll Now

Clicking our "Enroll Now" links will take you to a page for payment.

After payment, you will be emailed further directions for setting up your student account on our training site and beginning the course.

If you have any questions prior to enrolling, please email our Director of Training: Cara Harman OTD, OTR/L

Preview Course Content

If you have any questions prior to enrolling, please email our Director of Training: Cara Harman OTD, OTR/L

Frequently Asked Questions

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? Training dates and times vary; Online modules are available at the participants own leisure

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.

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.

Completion Requirements? 

Satisfactory completion requirements will include attendance in its entirety, successful completion of a learning outcome assessment, and post-evaluation. Only learners who meet satisfactory completion requirements will earn a certificate.

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.

Presenters

Alfred R. Barber (Al)
CODE-CCDE Managing Director
Program Development

As the second-generation owner and operator of one of America’s oldest driving schools, CODE-CCDE Director Al Barber has literally spent a lifetime in the driving industry. His father founded Georgia-based Barber’s Driving School in 1964 whose offerings have grown from basic driver education to include driver rehabilitation, defensive driving, risk reduction, corporate training and much more.  (BarbersDrivingSchool.com) Al graduated Summa Cum Laude from Columbus State University with a BA degree in Business Management.

Al was appointed by Georgia Governor Nathan Deal to the Georgia Driver Education Commission where he served to the end of his three-year term. Al was instrumental in the Georgia Driver Education Scholarship program being developed so teens in Georgia who needed assistance with tuition could receive help. The voucher is issued to the teen and they can select where they would like to take their training from a private or public provider.  Al also has been a member of the Governor’s Officer of Highway Safety’s Older Driver Task Force since 2016. Al currently serves as the President of the Georgia Driving School Association as Chairman and CEO. (GeorgiaDrivingSchoolAssociation.org)

In 2017, Barber began a personal quest to find a solution for the at-risk older driver problem. Other stakeholders who have participated in the development of the CODE-CCDE program include: the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety’s (GOHS) ‘Older Driver Task Force’, physicians, neurologists, occupational therapist, hospitals, judges, lawyers, caregivers, family and friends of older drivers and older drivers themselves.


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 completed specialized training in clinical driver evaluations at the VCU Neuroscience, Orthopaedic & Wellness (NOW) Center in Richmond, Virginia. Since 2021, she has been providing clinical driver evaluations to patients of all ages at Emory Healthcare. Driven by her passion for education, Cara has delivered numerous in-services and presentations to both clinicians and students. Her expertise has also led to invitations to present on clinical driving evaluations at several OT state association conferences, including those in Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama.

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.

**Statement on Nondiscrimination and Special Accommodations**

Barber’s Driving School is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination. We do not discriminate against candidates on the basis of age, gender, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or marital status. In adherence to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Barber’s Driving School will ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to take the course and the two examinations. Special testing accommodations can be arranged if a request is submitted to the certification team prior to the examination.

Financial and Non-Financial Disclosure Statements

The presenters have and may continue to be from time to time, a paid consultant to Barber’s Driving School on matters related to Occupational Therapy and associated training for driver  evaluation. The course materials are property of Barber’s Driving School, Inc. The presenter is compensated by Barber’s Driving School, Inc. to develop the training programs. The presenter is also compensated by Barber’s Driving School, Inc. when students take this course in a recorded or live format. The presenter developed the training program using the latest research and up-to-date practice standards without consideration to the above-mentioned financial interest in the training program.

For special requests or accommodations please contact caraharman@gmail.com

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