
Driving and the OT Role: What to do and when to refer
Ever felt worried about a client’s driving but unsure if it’s your role to say something?
Not quite clear on what to discuss, assess, document, when to refer to a Driver Trained OT or how the NDIS fits into the picture?
Non-driver trained OTs often spot the first red flags. This workshop gives you clarity on what to assess, document, when to refer to a driver-trained OT and how the NDIS fits in. Act confidently and within scope.
Access workshop now
Date: Tuesday 2nd September 2025
Time: 1.00pm – 3.30pm AEST
Duration: 2.5Â hours
What will you learn?
Whether driving comes up once a year or every week in your caseload, this practical session will help you navigate your role with confidence.
You’ll gain a solid understanding of the legal and ethical boundaries for non-driver trained OTs, recognise key red flags, understand the process, and when to refer on.
You’ll also explore how the NDIS can support clients through driving-related assessments, interventions and vehicle modifications – without overstepping your role.
We’ll walk through real-world examples, documentation templates and conversation prompts to help you handle tricky situations with clarity and professionalism.
We will cover:
- How to identify red flags during functional assessments that may indicate driving risk, including cognitive, sensory, physical and behavioural factors
- What to include (and avoid) in your documentation to flag concerns clearly while staying within scope
- The step-by-step process of how clients progress through clinical and on-road driving assessments with a Driver Trained OT
- How to respond when a client or family raises driving questions – what to say, how to stay within scope and when to refer
- Navigating NDIS funding pathways for driving assessments, vehicle modifications and driving-related rehab (with examples and key terminology)
- Case studies across the lifespan – from teens with autism to adults with intellectual disability and older clients post-stroke or with dementia
Who is this workshop for?
- Occupational Therapists working with clients of any age or diagnosis
- OTs who are not driver trained but often encounter driving-related issues
- Clinicians wanting practical tools to manage conversations, risk and documentation
Why attend?
- Understand your legal, ethical and clinical responsibilities
- Learn how to document and communicate concerns professionally
- Know when and how to refer while staying within scope
- Navigate funding options with greater clarity
- Walk away feeling confident and in control even when driving enters the conversation
About the Presenter

Jenny Gribbin has been an OT since 2005 and was interested in the area of driving assessment from a pretty early stage; she completed the driving training in 2012 and started her business Driving Well Occupational Therapy in Brisbane in 2016 to be able to provide services to clients needing this service.
She loves being able to help people to be safe and independent, or to give them an opportunity to have their driving assessed. The rollout of the NDIS enabled many young people the opportunity to explore their potential to learn to drive, however driving OTs were struggling to work with this group – Jenny thought “there has to be a better way”.
The onset of COVID (with no on-road assessments due to social distancing requirements) gave Jenny time to investigate how driving OTs can better support this population (to either rule out driving or optimise chances of being successful), and together with Dr Miriam Monahan (Driver Rehab Institute in USA), she has pioneered a massive change in best practice across Australia with the “potential to drive” approach.
Jenny is the convenor of the OTA QLD driving interest group, runs workshops and training for driver-trained OTs, is sought after presenter for inservices and advice, and provides supervision for driving OTs. She had a crucial role in bringing the Drive Focus app to Australia and was a finalist for Best Assistive Technology product at the Australian Disability Services Awards and was the winner of the Technology award at the Australian Road Safety Awards for this work.
Jenny is excited about the future directions of the potential to drive space and seeing the results this approach is creating for young adults in Australia.