Vehicle Modifications and Driving Assessments

AP24 (Driving Assessment) 

AP01 (Vehicle Modifications) 

AP20 (Training for use of a Vehicle Modifications)

Refer to the RAP Schedule.

A vehicle modification is a modification made to a car/van (vehicle) to allow an entitled person (client) with a disability to access, drive, or travel in a vehicle.  Vehicle modifications include customised driving controls, and other related devices. 

Vehicle modifications must be carried out by workshops with tradespeople specialising in car modifications.

A driving assessment refers to an assessment of a person’s driving skills to identify the potential need for a vehicle modification. The assessment must be undertaken by a certified driving Occupational Therapist (OT).

Note: Driving assessments do not include assessment for fitness to drive or cognitive ability to drive and/or driver rehabilitation.

Modified vehicle training is for instructional lessons on how to drive the modified vehicle. This excludes normal driving lessons, or to re-learn driving skills. DVA normally funds up to six lessons.

Vehicle modifications assessments are only to be undertaken by appropriately qualified assessing health providers.

DVA does not fund equipment such as vehicle trailers and modifications for the transport of electric mobility aids e.g. electric scooters and electric wheelchairs.

Manual vehicles will not be converted to automatic.

Modifications to a client’s vehicle will only be considered if the vehicle is roadworthy and the age and condition of the vehicle is suitable for modification. DVA does not fund the purchase of vehicles under this program.

Note: Simple vehicle modifications do not apply to this guideline, these may include:

• car-hoists AP23 Car Hoist 
• clinically required car accessories AP14 Mobility Appliances – Consumables and Accessories  
• transfer/seating needs AP09 - Transfer Equipment 

These items can be prescribed by a suitable OT and requested using a D0992 - Mobility Functional Support (MFS) products order form.

The client must have a clinical need for a vehicle modification and/or a driving assessment due to a war-caused injury (WCI), disease or an accepted disability. War widows/ers or dependents are not eligible for vehicle modifications and driving assessments.

This applies to both Gold and White Card holders.

There is a limit of one vehicle modification and one driving assessment per client. Requests exceeding this limit may be considered if adequate clinical justification is provided.

The initial request for a driving assessment, vehicle modifications and subsequent training must come from a GP or LMO.

Driving and vehicle modifications assessments and training must be undertaken by a certified driving occupational therapist (OT). A certified driving OT has specialist post-graduate qualifications in driving assessment.

Prior approval is required before proceeding with each stage.

A driving assessment will take place before vehicle modifications are considered.

Prior approval for a driving assessment is a three step process:

1. The initial request D9517 – Driver Assessment and Training / Vehicle Modifications Medical Information Form for the driving assessment must be from a GP/LMO. This is sent to DVA to review.

   If required, DVA will refer to a certified driving OT to conduct a preliminary assessment and provide a quote for the assessment and report.

2. The preliminary assessment (as appropriate) will be conducted by the certified driving OT with the client to develop a plan. The plan may include a driving assessment in a specialised vehicle with dual controls, a driving instructor and a number of lessons. The driving OT will submit a plan with the quote to DVA for approval to rapgeneralenquiries [at] dva.gov.au (rapgeneralenquiries[at]dva[dot]gov[dot]au)
3. The full assessment is completed once the plan and quote have been approved by DVA. The certified driving OT will conduct the full assessment and training of the client in a specialised vehicle with a driving instructor, if applicable.      
    

If appropriate, the driving OT submits a request for vehicle modifications as per below.

If the assessment does not support a vehicle modification, a report from the driving OT is sent to the GP/LMO and DVA at rapgeneralenquiries [at] dva.gov.au (rapgeneralenquiries[at]dva[dot]gov[dot]au).

The request for a vehicle modification following the driving assessment:

1. On completion of the full driving assessment (above) the certified driving OT forwards the assessment report with supporting documentation prescribing the vehicle modifications, quotes, D9381 Authority to Install/Modify a Vehicle form, and any further training or assessment requirements to DVA for consideration.

   See Supporting Documentation section for more details. 

2. The full assessment is completed once the plan and quote have been approved by DVA. The certified driving OT will conduct the full assessment and may include training of the client in a specialised vehicle with a driving instructor, if applicable.
3. Installation, training, and assessment can be undertaken once the recommended vehicle modification has been approved by DVA. The certified driving OT will conduct the full assessment and training of the client in a specialised vehicle with a driving instructor, to ensure the client will be able to operate the vehicle safely.
4. The completion report is submitted to DVA by the certified driving OT to verify that the installed modifications meet the prescribed specifications and the client can operate the vehicle safely. This needs to occur before payment is made for the work.

The initial request must include:

• If the client is the driver, the initial request must provide:
• all necessary clinical information requested on the D9517 – Driver Assessment and Training / Vehicle Modifications Medical Information Form
• If the client is the passenger and requires the vehicle to be modified for their use. The initial request must provide:
• all necessary clinical information requested on the D9517 – Driver Assessment and Training / Vehicle Modifications Medical Information Form
• proof of ownership of the vehicle to be modified (see Vehicle ownership and licenses below for more information)

The assessment (preliminary/full) conducted by the certified driving OT must include:

• the assessment report
• additional medical reports
• details of the most appropriate vehicle modifications including information on the range of products considered
• quotes for the vehicle modifications and,
• the anticipated number of lessons required for the driver to be trained in the use of the modified vehicle (maximum of six lessons)

The completion report must include confirmation that the vehicle modifications:

• meet prescribed specifications
• were carried out by an appropriately qualified person
• meet relevant Australian, State / Territory standards
• the client/driver is confident and capable of safely operating the vehicle and understands their safety responsibilities and
• all State / Territory licencing reporting requirements have been fulfilled

DVA on receipt of the completion report will send letters clarifying the responsibilities to the client, the initial requester (GP/LMO) and the prescribing OT, including:

• the requirement to report any changes in the client’s circumstances which would impact on their ability to safely drive or travel in the modified vehicle
• the client’s requirement to advise their insurance company of the vehicle modifications and maintain appropriate insurances for the modifications
• the client’s requirement to use the modified vehicle safely in accordance with local and State/Territory Government requirements and

DVA does not fund insurances covering the modifications made and is not liable for any accidents in which the vehicle may be involved

The client must verify ownership of the vehicle, and possession of a suitably endorsed licence where required – by them or some other person who will have responsibility for driving the vehicle – before DVA will proceed with modification.

The client must take into consideration when purchasing a vehicle their specific current and future clinical needs. Modifications to vehicles with unsuitable designs and configurations such as inadequate vehicle boot space for wheelchair or inappropriate seat height and depth which compromise transfer ability, will not necessarily be funded by DVA.

The age and condition of the vehicle will be taken into consideration to ensure the car is suitable for modifications.

DVA will not fund the removal of completed vehicle modifications if they are no longer functionally required.

Modifications requiring alteration(s) to driving controls may require local licence endorsement.  In all instances, these modifications should conform to relevant State/Territory Government requirements.

Clients must comply with all state and territory legislation.

Client must be aware the use of alcohol, medication (prescription and over the counter) and illicit drugs may impair their ability to safely drive the vehicle.

1800 550 457

Health Providers can contact DVA for any enquiries by calling the Provider Hotline: (Please press Option 1 when prompted for RAP).