Getting Started

DriveAbility Scotland – Your journey to personal independence

At DriveAbility Scotland, accessing a driving or mobility assessment is straightforward and designed to remove barriers to independent travel. Whether you’re returning to driving, adapting to a medical condition, or exploring accessible transport options, our aim is to enable you to stay mobile, safe, and confident on the road or as a passenger.

Who We Help

We work with:

Drivers who are disabled and those with medical conditions
Older drivers seeking reassurance about their driving
Drivers recovering from illness, surgery, or injury
Passengers looking for accessible travel solutions
Families and Healthcare professionals supporting someone with mobility needs

We understand that everyone’s circumstances are different, and our assessments are designed to identify practical solutions that enable independent travel.

How to Book a Driving or Mobility Assessment

You can access an assessment with DriveAbility Scotland in three ways:

1. DVLA Referral
If the DVLA has concerns about your medical fitness to drive, they may refer you directly to us for an independent driving assessment. In such cases, the DVLA will cover the full cost of the assessment.

2. Motability Scheme Referral
If you are a Motability Scheme customer, your case manager can refer you for assessment related to driving adaptations, vehicle access, or returning to driving. Motability will cover the full cost of the assessment.

3. Self-Referral
You can also book an assessment directly with us, no referral required. The cost of a self-referral assessment is £275. This is ideal if you are returning to driving after illness or injury, exploring vehicle adaptations, or seeking reassurance about your driving abilities.

What to Expect

Your assessment will be carried out by our professional assessment team, which includes an occupational therapist and a specialist driving instructor.

Each assessment is tailored to your individual circumstances and typically lasts around two hours.

It usually includes:

Initial Consultation – We begin with a discussion about your medical history, driving experience, and personal goals. This helps us understand your needs and identify any barriers to independent mobility.
Off-Road Evaluation – We assess areas such as vision, coordination, reaction times, and cognitive processing to gain a clear understanding of how these factors may influence your driving or vehicle access.
On-Road Assessment – If appropriate, you’ll drive a dual-controlled vehicle on a structured route. This allows us to observe your skills, awareness, and decision-making in real-world conditions.
Vehicle Adaptation and Mobility Advice – Based on your needs, we’ll recommend practical solutions such as driving controls, seating modifications, or transfer aids to enable safe and comfortable travel.
Personalised Recommendations – You’ll receive a clear written report summarising your assessment, including next steps, training options, or guidance on suitable vehicle adaptations.

Please note that if your assessment was arranged by the DVLA, the report will be sent straight to them. If you’d like a copy, you can request it directly from the DVLA.

Why Choose DriveAbility Scotland?

We provide an impartial and professional assessment service across Scotland. Our professional assessment team works closely with drivers, passengers, carers, and healthcare professionals to ensure every recommendation is practical, sustainable, and designed to promote independence.