driving evaluation in Texas?

Carl R · 02-25-2002, 03:22 PM

I am trying to find out what it will take for me to be able to drive. I call the Texas rehabilitation Commission to find out if they could set up an appointment for me to be evaluated. They called back and told me that the company they use to do the evaluations does not have any adaptive vans that could be used for evaluation. they put me on a waiting list and said they would contact me when equipment was available.

Anyone else here who has been evaluated in the Houston Texas area? Where did you go for evaluation?

Scorpion · 02-25-2002, 03:46 PM

I think Glitter*Girl is from around there. It seems dumb to put you on a waiting list. What kind of function do you have?

~Rus

"Life's a bitch, but I love her."

Rick1 · 02-25-2002, 05:06 PM

Carl - Here's where you'll find the information you need.

http://www.driverrehabservices.com/

Carl R · 02-25-2002, 06:13 PM

thanks Rick, I will be calling them tomorrow to see if they can speed things up.

Rus, I have C5 motor function, C3 sensory function. I think it is going to take quite a bit of the equipment to get me on the road. Kind of sucks to have to wait. . . But if this injury teaches you anything, its patience whether we liked it or not.

KDK513 · 02-25-2002, 10:52 PM

Perhaps our experience in Ohio will provide you with some possible ideas. We were working with the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation who had offered to pay for modifications to a vehicle for my husband (once their spending freeze was over). The freeze ended when we found an advocate who helped us overcome the language barrier. We learned which names to drop and the appropriate wording in our written requests for aid, even found out the exact amount of our tax dollars that were frozen.

It was agreed that BVR would pay for driving lessons through the local rehab hospital (there was only 1) that had an equipped car. He needed only 4 of the suggested 10 hours of training with an OT. In the meantime BVR required a professional evaluation from a co. in New York. They sent someone to our home who was to recommend the equipment he would need and types of suggested vehicles. This information is easy to acquire off the internet, so we felt this was a supreme waste of time and tax dollars; especially when he said he would defer to whatever the OT suggested, hmmmm. The OT kindly deferred to us, so we visited the local van modifcation site and they were extremely helpful. We ended up purchasing a 2 door car.

It took 5 weeks for the state to process the rquired paperwork needed to schedule his driving test (I have no explanation for why this is necesary or why it took so long) You then have only 4 weeks to take and pass the state driving test or start the process over again. It was tricky and stressful because it took 3 weeks to get an appointment. (good thing he passed)

The day before he was scheduled to take the test we hit a snag. BVR will not pay for modifications until you pass the test and you cannot pay for it yourself and then receive reimbursement. Of course you need an adapted vehicle to drive for the test and BVR had no plan for this need, only a slew of rules that are essentially designed to guarantee that it cannot happen without your own resourcefulness. We were aware of this catch 22 and had arranged for the use of the car he had trained on at rehab. The day before his test we received a call that risk management at the hospital would only allow use of the vehicle if the therapist was a passenger during the test. (sigh) A call to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles about took me over the edge, (hope I'm not boring or scaring you, only trying to help you avoid these frustrations) as they said according to state law noone but the police officer and driver were permitted to be in the car. A call to BVR was fruitless, then I was inspired to call Avis at our airport. Two hours later I picked up a modified car (only had basic hand controls), he took the test and passed. He loves driving and being able to return to work without his spouse at the wheel.

The greatest source of my frustration was that the very resources that I thought existed to aid someone in our situation seemed instead to create even more barriers in our lives.

Do you have a rehab center nearby that is licensed for driving evals and training? Keep asking questions because one never seems to get the whole story the first time. Call back everywhere more than once to confirm rules, etc. Hope this info. helps! keep pushing, it is worth it. Kathy

glomae · 02-26-2002, 10:39 PM

carl i meet with my consuler[sp] tommorrow and one of the the things we will dicuss is the availibity of services in regardes to driving. i live in tx and did my rehab at TIRR, however i live closer to AUSTIN and my TRC consuler meets me in LA GRANGE.TX. i will post any information i get. gloria

glittergirl · 02-27-2002, 11:36 AM

i was told when it was time to renew my license they would retest me in a driving test....that's all.

I'm in Austin, btw.

XOXOXOX

~*~*~Cilly~*~*~

glittergirl · 02-27-2002, 05:01 PM

i guess i should add that this may or may not be true...we will see

charlie did ask the dps and thats what they said tho

~*~ Priscilla "soon-to-be" Hedlin

Carl R · 02-27-2002, 05:35 PM

the link that Rick listed earlier in this thread for driver rehabilitation help me out quite a bit. They call me back today and said they would have a adaptive van at the end of March some time. They do drivers education and evaluation for Texas rehabilitation Commission.

I also call DPS and they said that I would have to take the written exam again and get a learner's permit because my license expired over two years ago. Here is the link to the Texas DPS office for more information.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/adminis...ol/dlindex.htm

martha · 02-27-2002, 09:08 PM

Carl, my husband took the test yesterday in the car provided by Driver Rehab Services. A couple of things the DPS officer told him were automatic failing points -- running a red light and hitting a curb. He didn't hit any curbs, but he did make a left turn on green after yielding and she failed him for not waiting for the arrow.

martha

02-25-2002, 03:22 PM	#1
Carl R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Houston, Tx. USA Posts: 1,888	driving evaluation in Texas? I am trying to find out what it will take for me to be able to drive. I call the Texas rehabilitation Commission to find out if they could set up an appointment for me to be evaluated. They called back and told me that the company they use to do the evaluations does not have any adaptive vans that could be used for evaluation. they put me on a waiting list and said they would contact me when equipment was available. Anyone else here who has been evaluated in the Houston Texas area? Where did you go for evaluation?

02-26-2002, 10:39 PM	#6
glomae Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: flatonia,tx Posts: 330	TRC carl i meet with my consuler[sp] tommorrow and one of the the things we will dicuss is the availibity of services in regardes to driving. i live in tx and did my rehab at TIRR, however i live closer to AUSTIN and my TRC consuler meets me in LA GRANGE.TX. i will post any information i get. gloria

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02-25-2002, 03:46 PM	#2
Scorpion Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Colorado Posts: 5,596	I think Glitter*Girl is from around there. It seems dumb to put you on a waiting list. What kind of function do you have? ~Rus "Life's a bitch, but I love her."

02-25-2002, 05:06 PM	#3
Rick1 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 697	Carl - Here's where you'll find the information you need. http://www.driverrehabservices.com/

02-25-2002, 06:13 PM	#4
Carl R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Houston, Tx. USA Posts: 1,888	thanks Rick, I will be calling them tomorrow to see if they can speed things up. Rus, I have C5 motor function, C3 sensory function. I think it is going to take quite a bit of the equipment to get me on the road. Kind of sucks to have to wait. . . But if this injury teaches you anything, its patience whether we liked it or not.

02-25-2002, 10:52 PM	#5
KDK513 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Posts: 392	Perhaps our experience in Ohio will provide you with some possible ideas. We were working with the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation who had offered to pay for modifications to a vehicle for my husband (once their spending freeze was over). The freeze ended when we found an advocate who helped us overcome the language barrier. We learned which names to drop and the appropriate wording in our written requests for aid, even found out the exact amount of our tax dollars that were frozen. It was agreed that BVR would pay for driving lessons through the local rehab hospital (there was only 1) that had an equipped car. He needed only 4 of the suggested 10 hours of training with an OT. In the meantime BVR required a professional evaluation from a co. in New York. They sent someone to our home who was to recommend the equipment he would need and types of suggested vehicles. This information is easy to acquire off the internet, so we felt this was a supreme waste of time and tax dollars; especially when he said he would defer to whatever the OT suggested, hmmmm. The OT kindly deferred to us, so we visited the local van modifcation site and they were extremely helpful. We ended up purchasing a 2 door car. It took 5 weeks for the state to process the rquired paperwork needed to schedule his driving test (I have no explanation for why this is necesary or why it took so long) You then have only 4 weeks to take and pass the state driving test or start the process over again. It was tricky and stressful because it took 3 weeks to get an appointment. (good thing he passed) The day before he was scheduled to take the test we hit a snag. BVR will not pay for modifications until you pass the test and you cannot pay for it yourself and then receive reimbursement. Of course you need an adapted vehicle to drive for the test and BVR had no plan for this need, only a slew of rules that are essentially designed to guarantee that it cannot happen without your own resourcefulness. We were aware of this catch 22 and had arranged for the use of the car he had trained on at rehab. The day before his test we received a call that risk management at the hospital would only allow use of the vehicle if the therapist was a passenger during the test. (sigh) A call to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles about took me over the edge, (hope I'm not boring or scaring you, only trying to help you avoid these frustrations) as they said according to state law noone but the police officer and driver were permitted to be in the car. A call to BVR was fruitless, then I was inspired to call Avis at our airport. Two hours later I picked up a modified car (only had basic hand controls), he took the test and passed. He loves driving and being able to return to work without his spouse at the wheel. The greatest source of my frustration was that the very resources that I thought existed to aid someone in our situation seemed instead to create even more barriers in our lives. Do you have a rehab center nearby that is licensed for driving evals and training? Keep asking questions because one never seems to get the whole story the first time. Call back everywhere more than once to confirm rules, etc. Hope this info. helps! keep pushing, it is worth it. Kathy

02-27-2002, 11:36 AM	#7
glittergirl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Austin, Texas, USA Posts: 366	i was told when it was time to renew my license they would retest me in a driving test....that's all. I'm in Austin, btw. XOXOXOX ~~~Cilly~~~

02-27-2002, 05:01 PM	#8
glittergirl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Austin, Texas, USA Posts: 366	i guess i should add that this may or may not be true...we will see charlie did ask the dps and thats what they said tho ~*~ Priscilla "soon-to-be" Hedlin

02-27-2002, 05:35 PM	#9
Carl R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Houston, Tx. USA Posts: 1,888	the link that Rick listed earlier in this thread for driver rehabilitation help me out quite a bit. They call me back today and said they would have a adaptive van at the end of March some time. They do drivers education and evaluation for Texas rehabilitation Commission. I also call DPS and they said that I would have to take the written exam again and get a learner's permit because my license expired over two years ago. Here is the link to the Texas DPS office for more information. http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/adminis...ol/dlindex.htm

02-27-2002, 09:08 PM	#10
martha Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Texas hallelujah! Posts: 1,077	Carl, my husband took the test yesterday in the car provided by Driver Rehab Services. A couple of things the DPS officer told him were automatic failing points -- running a red light and hitting a curb. He didn't hit any curbs, but he did make a left turn on green after yielding and she failed him for not waiting for the arrow. martha