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16.7. Staffing Qualifications

Designated primary and alternate Driver Rehabilitation Specialists must be Kinesiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, or Physical Therapists who are licensed, registered, or certified by their respective professional organizations. All primary and alternate instructors must take the Driver Rehabilitation Specialist certification training course, which is a 2 week course of instruction sponsored by VA Central Office in collaboration with the VA Employee Education System prior to assuming responsibilities for the Driver Rehabilitation Program. Driver Rehabilitation programs must only be provided by a Driver Rehabilitation Specialist with VA training. NOTE: Additional university credentials, State certification and/or successful completion of the National Driver Rehabilitation Specialist examination sponsored by Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED), formerly known as the Association for Driver Educators for the Disabled, is encouraged.

   a. The individual Driver Rehabilitation Specialist must possess:

  (1) A valid Driver’s License without major violations. Major violations on a driving record include, but are not limited to:

   (a) Conviction for an alcohol and/or drug related driving offense;

   (b) Refusal to submit to a Blood Alcohol Content test;

   (c) Conviction for reckless driving;

   (d) Any combination of three or more moving violations “at fault accidents”, or “preventable accidents” within the most recent three years;

   (e) Suspension, revocation, or administrative restriction within the last three years;

   (f) Leaving the scene of an accident as defined by state laws;

   (g) At fault in a fatal accident; and

   (h) Felony committed involving a vehicle.

   (2) Special abilities and technical skills related to the provision of driver rehabilitation services acquired in the VA 2 week face-to-face Driver Rehabilitation Instructor Training Course;

   (3) A medical rehabilitation background;

   (4) Knowledge of residuals of traumatic and non-traumatic disabilities; and

   (5) Experience to evaluate and determine physical limitations of the Veteran or Servicemember with disabilities with the following modalities; i.e., hand controls, lifts, specialty adaptive driving systems, etc.

   b. The individual Driver Rehabilitation Specialist must maintain a current knowledge
of:   

(1) Technological advances in adaptive equipment and high-tech driving systems;

   (2) Changes in automotive design; and

   (3) Other factors that may influence an individual’s capacity to safely operate a
motor vehicle.