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Medical conditions and fitness to drive

If you hold an ACT driver licence you must tell Access Canberra if you have a medical or health condition that might impair your driving ability.

This can include, but is not limited to:

  • cardiovascular conditions
  • dementia
  • diabetes
  • epilepsy
  • blackouts
  • other neurological conditions, for example a cognitive impairment
  • musculoskeletal disabilities, for example the loss of a limb
  • psychiatric conditions
  • sleep disorders, for example sleep apnoea
  • any medication or condition your doctor indicates may impact your ability to drive.

If you have a medical condition and aren’t sure if you need to report it, call Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

Report your medical or health condition

It’s your responsibility to:

  • report to Access Canberra within 7 days any permanent or long-term illness, injury or incapacity that may affect your ability to drive safely
  • be honest with your health professional about your health status and how this could impact your driving ability
  • follow any prescribed medical treatment
  • comply with any conditions on your licence
  • get periodic medical reviews as required by your age, licence type or medical condition.

Let Access Canberra know by:

Read about licence classes and conditions.

Proving your fitness to drive

Access Canberra may ask you to prove your fitness to drive and to ensure you can safely operate a vehicle.

This could involve a medical examination or a driving assessment by an occupational therapist. Driver-trained occupational therapists assess all areas of driving. This includes:

  • cognition, memory, judgement
  • reflexes, motor function
  • driving behaviour
  • knowledge and application of road rules
  • response times.

If you have a medical condition or injury that affects your driving, Access Canberra may add a condition to your licence. In some circumstances we may suspend or cancel your driver licence.

Conditional licences

Licence conditions are legal requirements attached to your licence. You must follow these when driving or riding.

Conditions might include:

  • medical advice such as 'wear glasses or contact lenses when driving'
  • vehicle modifications
  • driving restrictions such as 'drive only during daylight hours'
  • a requirement that you see a health specialist for:
    • regular review
    • a medical assessment for fitness to drive.

Access Canberra will tell you of any proposed course of action before a condition is added to your licence.

Read about licence classes and conditions.

Decisions about licences

Access Canberra is responsible for issuing, renewing, suspending and cancelling driver licences. This includes conditional, public, and heavy vehicle licences.

Any decisions we make about your licence are subject to internal review. If you’re not satisfied with the decision, you can apply to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) for an independent review. You will also be provided with these review rights in any reviewable decision notice.

Visit the ACAT website.

Eye tests

You need to do an eye test when you turn 50, 60, 65 and 70.

The eye test, or ‘visual acuity assessment’ can be completed by:

Eye tests are valid for 6 months from the date of assessment.

  1. Complete the Visual Acuity Assessment [PDF 171KB] form
  2. Submit it:
    • online when your licence is due for renewal
    • at other times:
  3. by email rusmedicals@act.gov.au
  4. by post to PO Box 582 Dickson ACT 2602
  5. In person at an Access Canberra Service Centre.

Medical assessments for specific classes and conditions

Some driver licence classes or conditions require medical assessments.

Access Canberra may also ask you to get an assessment, or your age will determine whether you need a medical assessment.

The form you need depends on the type of licence you hold or are applying for. Read about:

Medical assessments are valid for 6 months from the date of issue.

Assessments follow the national medical standards for Assessing Fitness to Drive.

View the standards on the Austroads website.

All licence holders aged 75 or older

Licence holders who are 75 or older need to get yearly medical assessments from their doctor

  1. Complete the Driver licence medical [PDF 185KB] form.
  2. Submit it by:

Licence holders with an LR class or C, R classes with no public vehicle conditions

If you hold or are applying for a licence with an LR class or a C or R class and no public vehicle condition:

  1. Complete the Driver licence medical [PDF 185KB] form.
  2. Submit it by:

Licence holders with MR, HR, HC, MC classes

If you hold or are applying for a licence with an MR, HR, HC, or MC class:

  1. Complete the Commercial driver's health assessment [PDF 256KB] form.
  2. Submit it by:

Drivers with heavy vehicle licences

Licence holders with class MR and above are required to undergo a medical examination at the time of issue/upgrade and then at either:

  • the pre-determined timeframes as per medical condition indicated, or
  • every 5 years if below the age of 70, or
  • annually from the age of 70.

This is to be completed to the standard of a Commercial Driver Health Assessment

Licences with public vehicle conditions

If you hold or are applying for any licence with public vehicle conditions:

  1. Complete the Commercial driver's health assessment [PDF 282KB] form.
  2. Submit it by:

Drivers aged 70 or older with public vehicle licences

Licence holders who are 70 or older that hold a public vehicle licence need to get:

  • yearly commercial driver health assessments
  • provide a passed driving assessment relevant to the authorisation they hold, for example taxi or bus.

Alternatives to driving

Access Canberra understands the loss of your driver licence will be upsetting and have an impact on your independence.

The COTA ACT can connect you to other transport options and information about discounted travel.

Visit the COTA ACT website.