DriveABLE is the brand name for a research‐based, scientific assessment tool that evaluates driving errors related to cognitive impairment. It is used across North America to help licensing authorities determine an individual’s cognitive medical fitness to drive. The DriveABLE assessment was developed at the University of Alberta through extensive research comparing the abilities and driving of hundreds of medically safe and unsafe drivers.

Before DriveABLE was introduced as an assessment tool, the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles often had to make licensing decisions based only upon the diagnosed presence of a cognitive medical condition.  Through the use of the DriveABLE assessment tool, individuals who may have a cognitive impairment are now individually assessed to ensure that they are safe to continue driving. If a cognitive condition does not adversely affect their ability to drive safely, they can be allowed to continue to drive. DriveABLE consists of the following separate procedures:

• DriveABLE Cognitive Assessment Tool (DCAT)
• DriveABLE On-Road Evaluation (DORE)

The DriveABLE Cognitive Assessment Tool (DCAT) is an in-office assessment of cognitive abilities essential for safe driving. This includes tests of motor speed and control, attention, judgment, memory and decision-making, and making judgments of driving situations.

The DCAT measures only the specific cognitive functions needed for safe driving. It does not measure a person’s overall cognitive functioning or intelligence. Results are judged against someone without a cognitive impairment of the same age.

The DCAT is presented on a touch screen and takes about an hour to complete. No knowledge of computers or their applications are needed. An individual only needs to touch the screen and press a button to complete the tasks. A mouse and a keyboard are never used.

A trained healthcare professional (typically a kinesiologist or occupational therapist) administers the DCAT and guides the individual, and practice sessions are encouraged. During the practice session, if the healthcare professional perceives an individual to be highly nervous or overly stressed, they will suggest that the individual re‐book an appointment for another day. During the assessment, the healthcare professional will not let the person being assessed proceed to the next task until they’re sure the person being assessed fully understands what is expected of them.

Drivers who do not pass the DCAT will be provided with a secondary opportunity to demonstrate their continued fitness to drive, through the DriveABLE On-Road Evaluation (DORE).

The DriveABLE On-Road Evaluation (DORE) is an on-road evaluation which consists of a standardized road course developed through scientific research to reveal competence-defining driving errors.

Professional driving assessors trained and certified by DriveABLE administer the on‐road evaluation on special road courses designed to test and reveal driving errors associated with cognitive decline. Minor handling errors and bad driving habits are not part of the scoring; only errors related to cognitive abilities are scored.

The DORE is conducted in a dual‐brake vehicle, as that is the safest environment for both the driver and the driving examiner, in the event of unsafe driving due to cognitive impairment.

The DORE provides drivers who do not pass the in‐office assessment with a secondary opportunity to demonstrate their continued fitness to drive.

If DriveABLE has you listed as your patient’s physician and your patient does not pass the DCAT, you will receive a notification that your patient is required to undergo a DORE. The notification is for information purposes only; you do not need to take any action at that time.

When your patient has completed the DriveABLE assessment, a copy of the final report will be sent to the OSMV and to the physician listed on your patient’s OSMV file.

Unlike in most other jurisdictions, in British Columbia, the OSMV pays for a patient’s DCAT and DORE, when those assessments are requested by the OSMV.  If you provide medical information indicating a measurable cognitive improvement in a patient who has previously failed a DCAT and/or a DORE, the OSMV will authorize a second DORE, but your patient will be responsible for the cost of that assessment.

Note: If a physician other than yourself is named on your patient’s OSMV file, you will not automatically be sent these results. To enquire about results (or for any other driver fitness questions), you can phone a dedicated OSMV line in Victoria that is just for medical professionals: 250-953-8612.

Here are the possible final results and your recommended actions:

Note: If your patient’s DCAT or DORE score falls within the ‘normal’ or ‘borderline normal’ range, they will not receive any communication from the OSMV. It is recommended you relay these results to your patient. To confirm the OSMV fitness to drive determination, your patient can call the OSMV toll-free at 1-855-387-7747.

DCAT results

The DCAT score represents the ability to predict your patient’s outcome of an on-road assessment. Following are possible scores on a final report:

When you receive a DCAT report from DriveABLE, review the results. If your patient’s score falls within the ‘impaired’ range, recommend they cease driving.  They will receive a letter from the OSMV offering them a DORE, but unless their DCAT score is at the low end of the ‘impaired’ range, recommend against them taking a DORE, as the likelihood of them passing is not high. If your patient uses their driver’s licence as photo ID, advise them that they can get a free BC Identification Card from any ICBC Driver Licensing Office, or from the Service BC office in towns that do not have an ICBC Driver Licensing Office.

DORE results

DORE scoring is based on the type and severity of cognitive driving errors the patient makes:

When you receive a DORE report from DriveABLE, review the results. If your patient’s score falls within the ‘impaired’ range, recommend they do not drive. Your patient will receive a letter from OSMV informing them of their decision to cancel their driver’s license, plus a follow-up letter from ICBC cancelling their license, but this can take several weeks.  If your patient uses their driver’s license as photo ID, advise them that they can get a free BC Identification Card from any ICBC Driver Licensing Office, or from the Service BC office in towns that do not have an ICBC Driver Licensing Office.

Related links:

OSMV Driver Medical Fitness:   pssg.gov.bc.ca/osmv/medical-fitness/index.htm

DriveABLE Information Guide:  pssg.gov.bc.ca/osmv/shareddocs/infoguide-driveable.pdf

DriveABLE public information line:   1-888-475-4666

DriveABLE.com