Rehabilitation Driver Training Program
Who this is for
For anxious and nervous drivers who have lost confidence behind the wheel after a motor vehicle accident, a long period away from driving, or years of avoiding the roads that frighten them. This is a graded rehabilitation program.
The Program
Graded desensitisation for anxiety and fear of driving after an accident
Developed over 12 years, our graded desensitisation program supports people recovering from a motor vehicle accident, a PTSD diagnosis, driving anxiety, or a long period away from the road. It rebuilds cognitive driver skills alongside confidence, so progress holds in real traffic.
The program was designed in collaboration with occupational therapists, psychologists and rehabilitation management professionals, and it sits within the broader Safe2Go rehabilitation pathway rather than standing alone as driving tuition.
Our teaching emphasises assertive rather than hesitant driving. Overly cautious driving slows decision making and increases the risk of error, so clients learn techniques that keep them decisive, safe and calm behind the wheel.
How it works
Gradual exposure, paced to your recovery
Research supports this approach. A study published in the Journal of Behaviour Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry found that exposure therapy, a form of desensitisation, significantly reduced driving-related anxiety and increased self-reported confidence in drivers.
Each program is personalised. Sessions begin in less challenging driving situations and increase in difficulty as confidence returns, with the pace set by your recovery rather than a fixed lesson plan. Our rehabilitation driver trainers work with people recovering from injury, trauma, driving anxiety and PTSD, from clients who have not driven since their accident to those rebuilding capacity to drive for work.
Whether you need a single session or a complete program, the goal is the same: safe, confident, independent driving.
What we work with
Barriers this program addresses
We work with people whose driving has been affected by an accident, an injury, trauma or a medical condition. Each program is built around the barrier, not around a lesson plan.
After a motor vehicle accident
Returning to the road after a crash, including clients who have not driven since, sometimes for years.
Driving anxiety and panic
Panic while driving, motorway and tunnel avoidance, and the anxiety that has narrowed where a person is willing to go.
PTSD and trauma
Intrusive memories, hypervigilance and acute stress following a road or workplace incident.
Injury, pain and medical conditions
Physical restriction, pain, fatigue or a change in function affecting the capacity to drive safely.
Returning to work driving
Where driving is a requirement of the role and capacity needs to be rebuilt and evidenced.
A long time away from driving
Rebuilding skills and confidence after an extended break from the wheel.
