If you have a disability and are wondering if the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can help with driving lessons, the answer is yes. The NDIS can fund driving lessons if they are categorized under “Improved Daily Living” and are considered “reasonable and necessary” for achieving your personal goals. This includes specialized instruction from accredited driving schools.
To receive NDIS funding for driving lessons, start by contacting the NDIS to discuss your plan and indicate your need for driving lessons, especially if you‘re learning to drive or relearning due to a disability from an accident, illness, or injury. Your plan will be evaluated, and if driving lessons are deemed necessary, you can use the funding for lessons, vehicle modifications, and other related costs.
To get started with NDIS-supported driving lessons, you first need to obtain a learner’s license. Then, a specialized Driver Trained Occupational Therapist will perform an assessment to evaluate your vision, cognitive abilities, and physical skills, and determine if any vehicle modifications are needed. This assessment can be done at home and usually lasts about an hour.
The Occupational Therapist will then send a detailed report to the Road and Maritime Services (RMS) office, outlining a plan for you to obtain a provisional or full driver’s license. They will likely recommend a set number of lessons with a certified driving instructor who is experienced in medical rehabilitation.
Your progress will be monitored throughout your lessons, and feedback will be provided to the Occupational Therapist. After the initial set of lessons, the Occupational Therapist will review your progress and may prescribe additional lessons to ensure ongoing improvement and address any areas needing further attention.
For specialized driving lessons, including those with vehicle modifications such as spinner knobs, Trinity Driving School offers tailored services for individuals with disabilities. Contact them to arrange your NDIS-funded driving lessons.
