CODE-Certified Older Driver Evaluations
for Drivers 65 and Older
Overview
Driving is not just about getting from one place to another; often, it is about how we conduct our lives. Losing the ability to drive or choosing to limit where we drive can mean losing more than just transportation. It can mean losing our independence.
Barber’s Driving School’s friendly instructors are trained to build your confidence and assist you in retaining your driver’s license and your independence. You can feel relaxed because you will be in trusted hands from the minute you arrive.
Barber’s Driving School understands the need for older drivers who are capable of driving safely to continue to do so as long as they do not cause harm to themselves or others. Approximately 80% of seniors taking our evaluation are able to continue driving years after everyone else, family, friends, and others have said they need to surrender their keys.
Who needs a Certified Older Driver Evaluation?
Older Drivers experiencing any of the following:
- A medical condition that could affect your driving abilities.
- A change in your vision
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Stroke Recovery
- Concerns about medications you are taking and their effect on driver safety.
- A recent move into a new city.
- Have recently become the primary driver in the family.
- Family, friends, doctors, police or others have expressed concerns about driving.
- A recent gap of time without driving.
- A diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
- Mental or physical decline due to age.
- A lack of confidence in driving ability.
- Recent involvement in an auto or other accident that could impact one’s driving.
SPECIAL REPORT: Should your elderly parents keep driving?
The Process
Step 1
Have your physician make the referral or just call or come by Barber’s Driving School. No referral necessary to start the process.
Step 2
Complete the Questionnaires about your health, online in the comfort of your home. Many persons have family, friends or Caregivers help with this process. If you have no one who can help complete the questionnaires no worries we can assist you with this process.
Step 3
Complete a Clinical Evaluation where we will check your Vision, Range of Motion, Motor Strength, Reaction Time, review your Prescription Medications for any concerns, and several Cognitive test like, CDT, MoCA, Trail Making Part A and B and others.
Step 4
Complete a Behind the Wheel Evaluation of your actual driving skills.
Step 5
Final Certified Older Driver Evaluation Report (CODE)
Barber’s will provide a comprehensive evaluation including the questionnaire, clinical, Medications of Concern, and the Behind the wheel results. We can provide a refresher course to further sharpen the driver’s skills or vehicle modifications as necessary. Information may also be provided regarding driving retirement and alternative modes of transportation, if appropriate.
Doctors, family members can rely on the evaluation when counseling with patients or loved ones who are recovering from a physical injury or surgery. Our evaluation is comprehensive and addresses all of the critical areas in which drivers could be experiencing difficulties, Legally, Cognitively, Visually, Physically, Behaviorally, Financially, Socially and in their Future.
Call (706) 561-2509 for more information
74-Year-Old Cynthia and Husband Robert, Referred by her Neurologist for a CODE
74-Year-Old Patsy and Her Grandson Brannon, Referred by her Neuoroligst for a CODE

- Mild Cognitive Dysfunction
- Memory loss
- Dementia
- General safety concerns/Effects of aging
- Learning disability
- Autism Spectrum disorders
This level may include:
- CVA/TBI – non-complex
- Parkinson’s disease – non-complex
- Psychiatric disorders
- Neuropathy
- Foot drop
- Lower extremity amputation
- CVA or TBI with physical deficits such as hemiplegia
- Paraplegia
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Spina Bifida
- Arthritis
- Cerebral Palsy
- Chronic pain
- Quadriplegia
- Muscular dystrophies
- UE amputations or amputations of >2 limbs
- Congenital conditions that affect multiple limbs
CODE Frequently Asked Questions
- The Health Questionnaires can be completed in the comfort of the driver’s home. There are seven comprehensive health questionnaires in potential areas of concern – legal, mental and physical health, behavioral health, and family, friends and caregivers’ questionnaires.
- The Clinical Evaluation is performed by an Associate Partner who is a licensed Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, or by others who have been trained to administer such tests. Typically, this will be an established hospital with an outpatient Physical/Occupational therapy service.
- The Functional behind-the-wheel evaluation is performed by a certified driving instructor from one of Barber’s Driving Schools. The instructors are experienced, friendly, patient, and highly supportive.
Older drivers should take the evaluation every 6 months if they have a diagnosis of dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, muscular degeneration, and other degenerative conditions. An evaluation may be necessary in less than 6 months, given situational changes in the driver’s life.
- The online Health Questionnaires can be completed at home.
- The Clinical Evaluation is performed by a certified occupational therapist during an outpatient visit conducted at St. Francis Rehabilitation at Main Street.
- The Functional Behind-the-Wheel Evaluation will be conducted at the local state-certified driving school. The road portion will be conducted on a certified road test route.
In Office
The clinical portion of the evaluation is conducted in our office.
Behind-the-Wheel
The road evaluation will be conducted on the streets where the senior typically drives—from the home to the grocery store, pharmacy, doctor’s office, church, and nearby friends’ and relatives’ homes. We want to take the same routes the senior will be most often driving.
- Approx. 1 hour for the Health Questionnaires
- 1 hour for the Clinical Evaluation
- 1 hour for the Behind-The-Wheel Evaluation