Driving and Transportation: Aging Drivers

This chapter offers both an overview of aging drivers and transportation and guidelines for occupational therapy practitioners on addressing the instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) of driving and community mobility with older adults. After a review of aging drivers in the United States, driving and community mobility is discussed as an IADL and as such, occupational therapy’s important role in screening and evaluating fitness to drive. The common client factors and common conditions that often impact driving and community mobility are highlighted. In addition, the diversity of driver services, the different types of driving evaluations, and specific qualifications for driving rehabilitation specialists who work with older adults are reviewed. Frameworks of crash risk (i.e., OT-DRIVE model and the Generalist’s Resource to Integrate Driving [GRID]) can be used by general practitioners to screen and determine levels of risk, with guidance for the next steps. Additionally, information about transportation as an important role for occupational therapists is provided. Finally, the different types of driving performance tests (e.g., driving simulators, naturalistic driving, self-report) and the role of technology for driving now and in the future are offered.