Under the Road Safety Act 1986, VicRoads is responsible for ensuring that all licence holders are fit to drive. This law exists to keep you and the community safe on our roads – not to deny you the opportunity to hold a driver licence.Conditions that affect safe drivingThere are many medical conditions, or a combination of conditions, that can affect your ability to drive safely. Ask a doctor if your condition/s or medicine/s could affect your driving.Medical conditions that can affect your fitness to drive include (but are not limited to):
- diabetes
- epilepsy and seizures
- heart conditions
- neurological conditions (eg. stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis)
- psychiatric conditions
- sleep disorders (eg. sleep apnoea)
- visual impairment
- physical disabilities
The use of prescription medicine, alcohol and illicit drugs can also affect your fitness to drive.What to do if you have a medical conditionYou are required by law to report any serious or chronic medical condition or disability that could affect your fitness to drive. If you have a medical condition, or if an existing condition deteriorates, you must:
- contact VicRoads to report your condition
- talk to a doctor about how it might affect your driving
- send a medical report to VicRoads from a doctor who knows your medical history.
VicRoads will then undertake a medical review.Medicine used to manage a medical condition may affect alertness and coordination. When taking medicine always check with your doctor if you’re fit to drive. For more information see: Medicines and road safety.Reporting a medically unfit driverIf you are genuinely concerned about someone’s ability to drive safely, write a letter to VicRoads Medical Review, PO Box 2504, Kew 3101 with the person’s details (eg. name, address) and the reasons for your concern. Under Victorian law, VicRoads must investigate this information.
Health professionals should refer to Austroads’ Assessing Fitness to Drive for guidance on reporting medically unfit drivers.Contact us
Health professionals should refer to Austroads’ Assessing Fitness to Drive for guidance on reporting medically unfit drivers.Contact us
- VicRoads Medical Review, PO Box 2504, Kew, VIC 3101
- phone 13 11 71