Understanding the BAAMS Assessment: A Key Step in NDIS and OT Driving Assessments

 

If you’re an aspiring driving instructor, you must be familiar with the NDIS and OT driving assessments. For drivers, these assessments give them a way to live an independent life with mobility and autonomy. But for driving instructors, these tests provide a structured way to evaluate the driver’s fitness to drive. These OT assessments use a concept called BAAMS to assess a person's ability to drive safely after a medical condition, injury, or age-related decline. It evaluates the physical and cognitive abilities as well as basic driving skills, such as reaction time, traffic awareness, and adherence to road laws. 

If you're looking into a Driving Instructor Course, you'll quickly discover how crucial this BAAMS concept is. At the Academy of Road Safety, we know that understanding BAAMS isn't just for students—it's at the core of what you'll teach. While it’s not a formal government term, it’s a brilliant way that trainers use to simplify the five key areas of a functional driving assessment.

BAAMS: What It Really Means

The BAAMS acronym stands for the critical skills a driver needs to master, like braking, accelerating, using accessories, manoeuvring, and steering. Driving instructors must teach their students how to best use their cognitive and motor abilities to master these skills. Once you've completed your TLI41225 course with us and are out on the road, you can use this framework to teach your students the right way to drive. Let’s break down this BAAMS and understand how you can implement it in your teaching:

  • Braking: 

Driving is more than handling a vehicle. Students must also know when and how to brake properly. They should be able to bring the vehicle to a gentle halt at a stop sign and also react promptly and appropriately if a sudden hazard pops up. Their braking technique demonstrates how quickly they can react and whether they can manage their vehicle’s momentum. Our driving instructor courses, like the TLI41225, can teach you how to coach students on smooth, controlled braking. You'll learn to spot common errors in their braking techniques and help them develop that 'feel' for the vehicle. It will help them become safer and more aware as drivers.

  • Accelerating: 

Ever had a student who's heavy on the gas? Many drivers cannot judge the right speed required and often end up accelerating too much and at the wrong time. Accelerating isn’t about driving fast, but about maintaining a consistent, safe speed that keeps you and others safe on the road. In our courses, you can learn how to train students to accelerate smoothly to match the flow of traffic, particularly when merging onto a busy road or entering a roundabout. 

  • Accessories: 

Can your students indicate well in advance before a turn? Do they use their headlights in low-light conditions? Proper use of accessories shows that you are aware of your surroundings and communicating your intentions to other drivers. As instructors, you must teach your students to use all the vehicle controls and accessories properly, whether it’s indicators or wipers, high beams or other in-vehicle controls. With us, you can learn the best ways to teach students to use their vehicle's accessories correctly, which is a major part of communicating with other road users. 

  • Manoeuvres: 

Driving isn’t just about going straight. But crucial driving manoeuvres like turning, parking, U-turns, and lane changes can be tricky, especially when you’re already dealing with a medical condition or disability. As part of your Driving Instructor Course training, you'll learn the step-by-step methods to make these manoeuvres second nature for your future students.

  • Steering: 

This is the heart of vehicle control. It shows whether a driver can control a vehicle. As instructors, you should teach your students to maintain the car steadily within their lane and develop the physical strength and coordination to navigate corners and curves. Our courses can show you how to teach proper steering techniques, ensuring your students can keep the car steady and safe in any situation.

Why BAAMS Is Your Secret Weapon

So, why does BAAMS matter to you as an instructor? Because you'll use it to prepare your students for real-world situations and formal assessments. This includes NDIS and OT driving assessments, which are a growing part of the industry.

Did you know that as of July 2025, there are over 739,414 NDIS participants across Australia, with a significant number having transport as a key support goal? This means there's a huge demand for qualified instructors who can perform these specialised assessments. Below is a breakdown of NDIS participants by state and territory, highlighting the widespread need for comprehensive driving evaluations:

As the chart above shows, a substantial 217,918 of those 739,414 participants are right here in New South Wales! This data isn't just a number—it's an opportunity. It’s your chance to become better instructors and make a difference in the lives of NDIS participants and other drivers through your teaching prowess. The skills you'll learn in our Driving Instructor Course will set you apart. Whether you're considering a career in Melbourne, Canberra, or any other part of Australia, having a solid understanding of how to apply the BAAMS framework gives you a competitive edge.

Ready to Steer Your Future?

The biggest responsibility of a driving instructor is to train new learners to become skilled, safe, confident, and responsible drivers. And the BAAMS framework can be a big help in developing vital skills in the drivers. Driving instructor courses can help you understand the BAAMS framework better and use it effectively in training your students. And the best part about these courses? You don't just learn to teach driving; you learn to build a successful career. At the Academy of Road Safety, we offer a comprehensive TLI41225 course and other programs that give you all the tools you need. 

If you're an aspiring driving instructor passionate about helping others and skilled behind the wheel, then it's time to take the next step. Join our driving instructor courses to learn how to master BAAMS and become the expert instructor your students will thank you for!

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