Validation of a test of road law and road craft knowledge with older or functionally impaired drivers

OBJECTIVE. The number of functionally impaired drivers being assessed is increasing the urgency to develop a standardized off-road driver assessment battery. We examined the validity of the Road Law and Road Craft Test (RLRCT) and a version of the Melbourne Slide Test to determine whether they should be included in the Occupational Therapy Driver Off-Road Assessment (OT–DORA) battery, which is under development. METHOD. We conducted a file audit of 118 data sets with individual item scores for the RLRCT and Melbourne Slide Test. RESULTS. The RLRCT test with one item removed provides clinicians with a valid indication of clients’ offroad driving skills. The Melbourne Slide Test added no new information over that provided by the RLRCT and can be excluded from the battery. CONCLUSION. The revised 14-item RLRCT should be included in the OT–DORA battery. Further research is required to develop the OT–DORA battery as a valid and reliable measure of off-road driver skill.