Do I need a medical test?
Certain licensees must submit a satisfactory medical report before their licence can be renewed or maintained.
Licence class C, LR, MR, HR, HC and Rider.
Licence class MC.
- Medical required at age 21 then every 10 years.
- Medical required at age 40 then every 5 years.
- Medical required at age 60 then every 2 years.
- Medical required at age 70 then annually.
All Licence Holders
The law requires the holder of a driver licence to notify, as soon as practicable, the RTA of any long term injury or illness that may impair his or her ability to drive safely. The RTA must be satisfied that all licence holders are medically fit to drive. A licence holder can be directed to have regular medical examinations because of a medical condition or because of advanced age. Some drivers must also have an annual driving test.
The rules apply to all licence holders, including people who have three or five year licences.
Medical Examinations
If you are required to have a medical examination, the RTA will send you a letter approximately eight weeks before you are due for a medical examination. On the back of the letter is a medical report form to be completed by your doctor, indicating whether you are medically fit to drive.
You ask your doctor whether an appointment is required to have the form completed. If your doctor considers you medically fit to drive and hands the completed report to you, you can either post or take it to a motor registry.
If you would prefer to restrict your driving, for instance, to certain times of the day or to within an area where you live, you should discuss it with your doctor at the time of your compulsory medical test.
If your doctor considers you medically unfit to drive or wants to refer your case to a second doctor, he or she will send the medical report directly to the RTA. You will be notified of the decision about your licence by the RTA soon after.
Disclosure of a medical condition for the first time
A customer who discloses to the RTA for the first time that he or she suffers from diabetes, epilepsy, giddiness, blackouts, fainting or other sudden periods of unconsciousness, must provide a satisfactory medical report before he or she can receive or renew a licence.
Customers who have already declared these medical conditions to the RTA can renew their licences provided RTA medical review requirements have been met.
Customers with diabetes that is controlled by diet are no longer required to provide an initial medical report.
Driving Tests
If you need to pass a driving test as well as a medical examination it will be printed at the top of the letter. You can only take a driving test after a doctor has declared you medically fit to drive.
To avoid delays call the RTA on 13 22 13 or go to your nearest motor registry to make an appointment as soon as possible.
The RTA's A Guide to DART (Driving Ability Road Test) is available for free from any motor registry. It tells you what is involved in a driving test and what you will be tested on.
Occupational Therapist Reviews
Drivers with certain health conditions may require a driving assessment by a suitably qualified occupational therapist before a licence will be issued or reissued.
The Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service provides assessment and training in many locations throughout NSW as part of their rehabilitation programs. Alternatively, you may choose to arrange your own driving assessment by a suitably qualified occupational therapist. To help with this option, a list of recognised therapists is available from the Australian Association of Occupational Therapists NSW: call (02) 9648 3225, or visit www.otnsw.com.au.
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