Keys to Independence (Driving Program)

The doctor must send an order for an “OT Driving Evaluation” faxed to Emerson Hospital at (978) 287-8177.

Fill out the sign-up form or call the Keys to Independence Driving Program at (978) 287-8244 to make an appointment. You will be asked to provide demographic/intake information as well as credit card information for an initial deposit of $150. Please allow at least 7-10 business days for a call back due to the high volume of calls and patient needs. Note that the typical wait time for the evaluation date is 4-10 weeks from the date of scheduling.

Please allow 7–10 business days for a callback. Evaluation appointments are typically available four to ten weeks from the callback date.

To cancel your appointment, please email DrivingProgram@emersonhosp.org or call 978-287-8200.

The deposit amount is non-refundable if you cancel less than 1 week before your appointment. If you wish to reschedule and have cancelled your appointment in less than 1 week of your appointment date, the fee must be paid again.

After two week-of cancellations, you will be referred to another driving evaluation clinic and the referring physician will be notified regarding the missed appointments.

If you cancel/reschedule with more than 1 week’s notice, you will not be charged. If you exceed two reschedule requests, you will be referred to another driving evaluation clinic.

We require a $150 deposit to hold your appointment. This goes towards your full fee; the remainder is to be charged on the day of evaluation. Please note that if the deposit does not process >2 weeks before the date of your assessment, we will cancel your appointment.

It is required that someone else drive you to and from your Part I evaluation. If you are found to drive to your Part I evaluation, we will require that you call someone to drive you home.

We cannot perform your evaluation without an order from your doctor. If we have not received a doctor’s order before your assessment, we will need to cancel your appointment.

We see a range of clients with differing needs. Most common examples include:

• Patients recommended by their physician with diagnoses like stroke, Parkinson’s, dementia, or after neuropsychological testing
• Individuals in need of adaptive equipment for driving, such as a spinner knob, a left-foot accelerator, or hand controls

Due to the diversity in the client range, it is challenging to provide a pass/fail rate. We strive to provide objective evaluations to decide the safest outcome for our clients.

The in-clinic evaluation (Part 1) is located at 310 Baker Avenue, Concord, MA.  Enter through the long, covered walkway labelled “Emerson Health”, then take a left into our waiting room. If you are permitted to participate in the on-road evaluation (Part 2), the driving instructor will come to your home.

It is required that someone drive you to and from your in-clinic evaluation. One family member, caregiver, or support person is welcome in the evaluation room. Please bring your license, eyeglasses, and any assistive devices you use for mobility.

Unfortunately, no. However, we intermittently have grants for some populations. For example, we sometimes provide discounted rates to clients with Parkinson’s disease through grants from various donors. Ask when you call if these options are still available.

If you fail, and progress is unlikely in your future/we recommend driver retirement, which we do report to the RMV. This is to ensure that you and others on the road are held to a safe and responsible standard. We will provide you with a License Surrender Affidavit for Medical Reasons form to mail to the RMV; they will send you a Massachusetts ID card within 10 business days. The occupational therapist will also review methods of alternative transportation to help support your independence.

We are not currently working with individuals with suspended license/ Immediate Threat- Medical citations.  We will see individuals whose license has expired due to many years without driving due to medical reasons.

Emerson is one of only a few clinical driver assessment programs in MA.  When an RMV hearing officer wants a prospective driver to be evaluated, our program is on that list.  Our therapists are not RMV employees, and we do not communicate directly with the RMV except to request a learner’s permit for a driver with a suspended license or to report a driver who is at risk.

Please consider the safety of yourself and the others around you. Even if you have always been an excellent driver, age and medical diagnoses can have an impact on your ability to drive safely, even if you are not readily aware of a change in your function. After the clinical evaluation, our recommendation will be a part of your medical record. The medical record is a legal document that may be subpoenaed in a court of law. If your license is suspended and the police stop you, you may be subject to a financial penalty and possible incarceration.