Driving Assessment Services Printable brochure >> [please click here for pdf troubleshooting help] What is a Driving Assessment? A driving assessment is an office-based assessment of medical fitness to drive. The evaluation measures a driver's physical and mental responses to driving situations. We use a realistic driving simulator, as well as other measures, to identify any physical, visual, cognitive, or mental impairments that may adversely affect driving abilities. The simulator includes a variety of realistic driving situations, such as night time, rain, fog, and high-traffic areas. Why Assess Drivers? Driving is a complex activity requiring high-level cognitive skills, including visual processing, attention, judgment, and memory. Declines in these functions make older drivers vulnerable to crashes in complex driving situations. As a result, older drivers are more likely to experience crashes at intersections, especially when a left-hand turn is involved. Safety for older drivers is a public health issue. As the number of older drivers rises, patients and their families increasingly turn to medical professionals for guidance on safe driving. Source: American Medical Association and Department of Transportation What Happens if a Driver Does Not Pass the Evaluation? A written report of the driver's performance may be sent to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Driving assessment results are standardized according to the American Medical Association guidelines. How Do I Schedule a Driving Assessment? Call the Driving Assessment Program: (203) 748-2551 x368 How Long is the Assessment? The driving assessment is approximately two hours. What Does It Cost? The driving assessment service fee is $300 and is not currently covered by insurance. Other Driving Resources The Hartford www.thehartford.com/talkwitholderdrivers American Medical Association www.ama-assn.org Key Driving Facts Although many older drivers self-regulate their driving behavior, this is not enough to keep crash rates down. Per mile driven, the fatality rate for drivers 85 years and older is nine times higher than the rate for drivers 25-69 years old. The crash rate for older drivers is related to physical and mental changes associated with aging and neurological disease. Medical professionals can influence their patients' decision to modify or retire from driving. They can also help their patients maintain safe driving skills. Compared with other drivers, older drivers have a higher fatality rate per mile driven than any other age group except drivers under the age of 25. Source: Department of Transportation