Information leaflet about North East Drive Mobility which includes who the service is for, what they offer, what happens at assessments and how to access the service.
This leaflet tells you about North East Drive Mobility. If you are not sure about anything, please ask a member of staff.
We help people stay or become independent as drivers and passengers. We assess and advise if a health problem affects how you drive or travel.
We also give advice to drivers and passengers on:
- Getting in and out of a vehicle
- Changes you can make to a vehicle
- Driving lessons, if you need them after your assessment
We offer powered wheelchair and mobility scooter assessments at our Newcastle centre.
Our main centre is at Walkergate Park in Newcastle.
We also have two other centres:
- Cumbria Drive Mobility - Pacific House, Carlisle
- Tees Valley Drive Mobility - Phoenix House, Stockton
Contact our Newcastle centre for all enquiries. Details are in the contact details section.
We check how well you drive. This may include:
- Driving on our private track (Newcastle)
- Driving on quiet roads (Carlisle and Stockton)
- Driving on public roads in different traffic conditions (all centres)
All our vehicles have two sets of controls and are fully insured.
We help passengers who have trouble moving around. We give advice on:
- Getting in and out of a vehicle
- Travelling safely, such as in a wheelchair
- Loading and storing items like wheelchairs
Our Newcastle centre helps you find the right powered wheelchair or scooter.
We will talk with you about what you need and where to buy it.
We offer driving lessons if:
- You need a new method of control
- You need refresher lessons due to not driving for a while
Lessons can start from your home or your nearest centre. A qualified driving adviser will teach you. There is a fee to pay.
We give advice on car safety seating for children with health conditions.
Before your visit, we will call you to learn about your child's needs.
Our travel advice service is free. We can help you find out what travel choices are open to you.
This includes:
- Advice on options other than driving
- Help using public transport
- Advice on transport that suits your needs
- Help to build your confidence when travelling
No, assessments are free. If the police or a case manager referred you, you may need to pay.
We know you may feel worried. Our experienced staff are supportive and will help you feel at ease.
You will meet a mobility clinician and a driving adviser. You can ask them any questions you have.
They will look at:
- Your medical fitness to drive
- Your vision
- How aware you are of your surroundings
- Your reactions and choices while driving
- How you use the vehicle controls
We will assess your driving on our driving track or quiet roads. If needed, on public roads in different kinds of road and traffic situations.
Our vehicles have different adaptations to suit your needs. They all have dual controls and are fully insured for assessments.
After the assessment, the team will talk through their advice with you. We will do all we can to help you keep driving. But sometimes, for road safety, we may advise you to stop driving.
The team will discuss their advice with you on the day. They will also send you a written report.
In some cases, they may ask you to come back for a follow-up assessment. This may be after driving lessons using new ways of driving. Or if there are changes in your health condition.
Get in touch with us directly yourself. Referrals can also come from:
- Your doctor or therapist
- Motability
- DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency)
If the DVLA referred you, we will tell you our advice on the day. A written report will go to the DVLA medical adviser. The DVLA will then contact you about your driving licence.
- Visit our webpage: North East Driving Mobility
- Find out how to access information the Trust holds about you: Freedom of Information
Website: Hubs Mobility Advice
Telephone: 0191 287 5090
You can also contact Traveline on 0871 200 22 33
Please contact our main centre:
North East Drive Mobility
Walkergate Park
Centre for Neuro-rehabilitation and Neuro-psychiatry
Benfield Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE6 4QD
Telephone: 0191 287 5090
Email: northeast.
For information on our Independent Travel Advice Service:
Telephone: 0191 287 5090
Email: IndependentTravel
Website: www.
You can talk to a staff member or use the contacts listed below. See other ways to give feedback.
Your Voice
You can use this email to tell us what you think about your care. This can be good or bad. You can also ask us to tell you what happens after you send feedback.
Email: yourvoice
Comments and complaints
If something went wrong, please tell us. This will help us improve services.
Email: complaints
Telephone: 0191 245 6672
Write to: Complaints Department, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, St Nicholas Hospital, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3XT.
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
PALS offer a free, confidential service. They can help if you are worried about your care. They support patients, families and carers.
PALS North of Tyne
(services in Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland and North Cumbria)
Email: pals
Telephone: 0800 032 0202
PALS South of Tyne
(services in Sunderland, Gateshead, South Tyneside and Lotus Ward, Middlesbrough)
Email: pals
Telephone: 0800 328 4397
You can get more information about this leaflet from the Patient Information Centre. This includes how the leaflet was made. We can provide this leaflet in other formats. These include Braille, audio, large print, Easy Read, British Sign Language, and other languages.
We welcome your feedback about this leaflet. You can email pic
Published by the Patient Information Centre
2026 Copyright: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Ref: Ref: PIC/458/0526 May 2026 V14
Review date 2029
Website: www.