At what age do I need a medical to drive in Australia?

It varies by state. In NSW, annual medical assessments start at 75. In QLD, you must carry a valid medical certificate from age 75. In WA, annual medicals start at 80. In SA, self-declaration at renewal from age 70. In ACT, annual medicals from 75. Victoria, Tasmania, and NT have no age-based medical testing requirement, but you must report any condition affecting your driving.

What medical conditions do I need to report to the transport authority?

You must report any condition that could affect your ability to drive safely. This includes epilepsy or seizures, diabetes treated with insulin, heart conditions (heart attack, arrhythmia, pacemaker), stroke or TIA, sleep apnoea, vision impairment, dementia or cognitive decline, psychiatric conditions affecting function, and substance use disorders. Failure to report can void your insurance and result in licence cancellation. Your GP can advise whether your condition needs to be reported.

What happens at a driver medical assessment?

Your GP will check your vision (must be at least 6/12 corrected for a private vehicle licence), review your medical conditions and medications, assess your cognitive function, check your hearing and physical ability to control a vehicle, and complete the relevant state transport authority form. The assessment typically takes 20-30 minutes and is a standard GP consultation fee. Your GP will recommend unconditional, conditional, or temporary licence, or advise that you should not drive.

Does diabetes affect my driver licence?

If you manage diabetes with diet or tablets that do not cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), you generally do not need to report it. If you take insulin or medications that can cause hypoglycaemia (such as sulfonylureas), you must report this to your state transport authority. You will need a medical assessment, and your licence may have conditions such as regular medical reviews. You must also be able to recognise hypoglycaemia symptoms and manage them while driving.

Driver Licence Medical

Do you need a medical to drive? Enter your details below to find out what's required in your state.

📋 Source: Austroads Assessing Fitness to Drive (2022, 6th edition — AP-G56-22) for the clinical condition standards. Age-based testing schedules are set by each state/territory transport authority (linked above), not by Austroads.
Your doctor or healthcare provider knows your history and circumstances — always follow their personalised advice over general information.

🇦🇺 Australia only

⚠ Important disclaimer: This tool provides general information only about driver licence medical requirements in Australia. It is not medical or legal advice and does not replace a medical fitness to drive assessment by your GP or specialist. Requirements vary by state and individual circumstances. Always confirm your obligations with your state transport authority and your treating doctor. Driving with an unreported medical condition may void your insurance and result in licence cancellation or criminal penalties. Refer to the Austroads Assessing Fitness to Drive guidelines for the full clinical standards.

Your age

Licence / vehicle type

Your state or territory

Do you have any of these conditions? (select all that apply)

Age-based medical requirements by state (car licence)

State	Medical starts at	Requirements
NSW	75	Annual medical from 75. Practical test + medical from 85 (practical every 2 years). Modified licence option from 85.
VIC	None	No age-based medical. Must report conditions to VicRoads. Medical review if VicRoads requests.
QLD	75	Must carry valid medical certificate from 75 (renewed every 13 months). Doctor may recommend conditional licence.
SA	70	Self-declaration of fitness at licence renewal from 70. Medical assessment if concerns raised.
WA	80	Annual medical from 80. Practical driving assessment may be required.
TAS	None	No age-based medical. Must report conditions. Medical review if requested.
ACT	75	Annual medical from 75.
NT	None	No age-based medical. Must report conditions to MVR.

Heavy vehicle drivers have additional requirements — typically annual medicals from age 60 or 70 depending on state. Contact your state transport authority.

Conditions you must report

Under Austroads Assessing Fitness to Drive guidelines, you must report any condition that could affect your ability to drive safely. This includes:

🩸Diabetes (insulin or hypo-causing medications) — must report. Diet/metformin-only generally does not need reporting unless other issues. ⚡Epilepsy / seizures — must be seizure-free for a specified period (varies by licence type). Must report. 😴Sleep apnoea — must be adequately treated (e.g. CPAP compliance). Untreated moderate-severe sleep apnoea is not compatible with driving. 👁️Vision impairment — must meet 6/12 corrected (private) or 6/9 (commercial). Visual field defects must be assessed. ❤️Heart conditions — post-MI, arrhythmias, pacemaker/ICD, heart failure, aortic aneurysm. Waiting periods after events before driving. 🧠Stroke / TIA — non-driving period after event (typically 2-4 weeks for private, longer for commercial). Must report. 🧩Dementia / cognitive decline — progressive conditions affecting driving safety. Regular assessment required. 💊Psychiatric conditions — if affecting concentration, judgement, or behaviour. Some medications also relevant. 🦴Musculoskeletal — if affecting ability to control vehicle (steering, pedals, mirrors). 🍷Substance use disorders — alcohol or drug dependence. Must be stable and in treatment.

Failure to report a medical condition can result in licence cancellation, fines, and your motor vehicle insurance being voided in the event of an accident.

Your GP will:

1. Check your vision — must be at least 6/12 corrected for a car licence. Visual field testing if required.

2. Review your medical conditions — diabetes control, seizure history, heart health, sleep, psychiatric conditions.

3. Review your medications — some medications (sedatives, opioids, anticonvulsants) can affect driving.

4. Assess cognitive function — particularly for older drivers or those with neurological conditions.

5. Assess physical ability — can you operate the vehicle controls safely?

6. Complete the state transport form — recommending unconditional, conditional, or temporary licence, or that you should not drive.

The assessment is a standard GP consultation (20-30 minutes). Fees vary — some GPs charge a standard consultation fee, others a longer appointment fee. It is not bulk billed in most cases.

A conditional licence allows you to keep driving with restrictions based on your medical condition. Common conditions include:

— Driving only during daylight hours

— Driving within a specified distance from home

— Must wear corrective lenses while driving

— Regular medical reviews (e.g. every 6 or 12 months)

— Must demonstrate adequate CPAP compliance (for sleep apnoea)

— Must carry blood glucose meter in vehicle (for insulin-treated diabetes)

Your GP recommends the conditions, and the transport authority issues the conditional licence. You must comply with all conditions — driving outside them is treated the same as driving unlicensed.

NSW: Fitness to Drive info & forms — 13 22 13. GPs can submit via HealthLink SmartForm or download the form from Service NSW.

VIC: VicRoads Health & Driving — 13 11 71. No age-based medical. Report conditions via online notification.

QLD: QLD Transport Medical Fitness — 13 23 80. GPs complete the Medical Certificate for Motor Vehicle Driver form.

SA: SA Health Professionals info — 13 10 84. Self-declaration at renewal from 70.

WA: WA Medical Fitness to Drive — 13 11 56. Annual medical from 80.

TAS: Transport Tasmania — 1300 135 513. No age-based medical — report conditions only.

ACT: Access Canberra Older Drivers — 13 22 81. Annual medical from 75.

NT: NT Motor Vehicle Registry — 1300 654 628. No age-based medical — report conditions only.

National resources: Austroads forms & patient info sheet · Assessing Fitness to Drive guidelines (full)