What is the Driver Evaluation Program (DEP)?
The Driver Evaluation Program is a service provided by Kinetik, a Saskatoon Health Region Program located on the 8th floor at Saskatoon City Hospital.

The Driver Evaluation Program provides a standardized objective assessment to determine a person’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

Who should be referred?
A driver evaluation may benefit any person with cognitive, perceptual, physical, or medical limitations that impact their functional ability to drive.

It may also be useful for individuals who have never driven before and have significant disabilities that may require special adaptations to the vehicle.

The program is not able to assess individuals who wish or need to return to driving buses, large trucks, or other specialized vehicles.

What are the steps to make a referral?
Referrals are accepted from various sources:
• Health care professionals such as a therapist or physician.
• Family members.
• Third parties such as SGI or WCB.
• Individuals.

The program will contact the client to confirm the referral and arrange an appointment time.

A letter will be sent confirming the appointment and indicating information and items to bring to the assessment.

Payment for services needs to be provided at time of the assessment if the cost is not covered by a third party.

What does the assessment include?
• Driving history, driving needs, license status and road knowledge will be reviewed.
• Medical history and a medical exam will also be completed.
• Once vision, cognition, and visual perceptual abilities are assessed, reaction time and ability to respond to different situations and potential danger will be evaluated.
• If deemed appropriate an on road test will complete the driving assessment. A car will be provided for this portion of the assessment.

What is the outcome of the assessment?
A report will be sent to you and the SGI Medical Review Unit within two weeks of the assessment outlining appropriate recommendations.

Recommendations will indicate fitness to drive, consideration for a restricted license, whether adaptive equipment, techniques or additional training may be beneficial, and whether further testing in the future is necessary or warranted.

 Using Adobe Acrobate, click here to download the Driver Evaluation Referral Form.

For your convenience, further information on the SGI Medical Rehab Unit may be accessed at http://www.sgi.sk.ca/sgi_internet/sgi_pub/drivers_licences/medical_review/medreview_unit.htm