Fitness to Drive

These concepts are most relevant for older drivers. But they apply to all drivers, especially drivers who have any kind of physical or mental health condition.

Driving a motor vehicle is a serious responsibility. Your safety and the safety of others depend on your fitness to drive.

Various health problems may affect us from time to time. As we get older, the risk of developing a medical condition that may affect our ability to drive increases. We may also notice deterioration in both physical and mental abilities.

If you feel you may not be in a fit state to drive at any time, then do not drive. If you feel that your health and general fitness may not be sufficient to keep driving, you should consult your doctor.

Fitness to drive responsibilities

The Registrar of Motor Vehicles must ensure that all drivers are:

• medically fit
• able to drive competently and safely.

Both you and your doctor must report any medical condition that could affect your ability to drive a vehicle safely to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.

If you are required to complete an assessment on your fitness to drive, you will either:

• be informed by your medical practitioner
• receive a notice in the mail.

If you receive a notice about your driver’s licence, you must act on the request by the due date. Otherwise, your licence may be suspended.

Your fitness to drive is assessed in line with the Austroads’s national guidelines, Assessing fitness to drive.

To report a medical condition or learn more about the fitness to drive assessment:

• visit a Service SA centre
• call Service SA on 13 10 84.

Medical conditions

Many medical conditions can affect your fitness to drive. The most common ones are:

• Blackouts or fainting
• Dementia and cognitive impairment
• Seizures and epilepsy
• Other neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions
• Diabetes
• Musculoskeletal disorders or injuries
• Psychiatric conditions
• Heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions
• Sleep disorders
• Vision problems
• Alcohol and substance misuse.

If you have a condition that might affect your driving, it doesn’t mean that:

• you won’t be able to drive
• you will lose your licence.

It might mean that you have to see your doctor (or other healthcare professional) more often. This is to check that your condition is well managed. It might mean that there are some restrictions placed on your driving.

Declaring your fitness to drive

You must declare any medical conditions when you apply for or renew a driver’s licence in South Australia. You may also be required to undergo an assessment.

Medical assessment

You will receive a Certificate of Fitness form in the mail and be asked to visit a medical practitioner for a medical assessment if one of these apply:

• you have a medical condition recorded against your driver’s licence that is subject to a periodic review
• you are 70 years or older and hold a licence for a class of vehicle other than a car. For example, heavy vehicle or motorbike.

You may be required to be medically examined at regular intervals if both of these apply:

• you hold a class MC (multi-combination) licence
• you drive certain road trains and B-triples.

This is regardless of your age or whether you have a medical condition recorded against your licence. Learn more about conditions of operating multi-combination vehicles on SA.GOV.AU.

Self-assessment

Starting at 75 years old, you will receive a self-assessment form every year in the mail to complete if both of these apply:

• you hold a class “C” (car) licence only
• you do not have a medical condition.

The self-assessment allows drivers to assess their own medical fitness to drive. It is designed to be completed independently. However, depending on your answers or if you are unsure of any questions, you may need to visit a doctor to complete the assessment.

The self-assessment will be sent to you around the time of your birthday. It is designed to help you to think about your health and how it may affect your ability to drive safely.

You can also complete the self-assessment online via mySAGOV. You need an account before you can complete the assessment online. If you don't have one, learn how to create a mySAGOV account.

Practical driving assessment

You will need to take a practical driving assessment if your medical practitioner feels it is necessary to help determine your fitness to drive. This is a free assessment done by an officer from the Department for Infrastructure and Transport in a government vehicle.

The practical driving assessment involves a 30-to-45-minute drive. It assesses your ability to control the vehicle, drive safely and follow road rules while on the road. It is not the same as the test that new learner drivers undergo to obtain their provisional licence. For example, it does not include reverse parallel parking.

Depending on the outcome of the assessment, you may retain your licence or be given the opportunity to do another assessment.

You must take an annual practical driving test if both of these apply:

• you are 85 years old or older
• you hold any class of licence other than “C” (a car licence). For example, a truck or motor bike.

Surrendering a licence

If you no longer want to continue to drive, or you think you are no longer fit to drive, you can surrender your licence in two ways:

• In person: Return it to a Service SA centre
• By post: Mail your licence and a letter stating your decision to: GPO Box 1533, Adelaide SA 5001.

You will receive a refund for the unexpired portion of the licence.

Downgrading to a car licence

If you hold a licence for a class of vehicle other than a car (for example, motorcycle, truck or bus), but no longer need them, you can downgrade your licence to a class C (car) only.

Simply advise a Service SA centre of your decision, and they will arrange for a new licence to be issued.

Deciding when to stop driving

Some drivers know when to stop driving. When they drive, they feel increasingly uncomfortable, both physically and emotionally. Driving has become an ordeal. They realise that they could possibly be a danger to themselves, their passengers and other road users.

If you are not 100% sure, talk to a family member or someone you know.

Learn more about issues facing older drivers, driving safely and alternatives to driving:

• visit www.mylicence.sa.gov.au/safe-driving-tips/older-drivers
• download Moving right along: Obligations and opportunities for older drivers (PDF, 12.2 MB).

If you are you worried about someone's driving

It can be difficult to know what to do if you have concerns about someone’s driving. Get tips and information for family members and friends about things to consider when you are worried about someone’s driving.

If you have concerns that someone’s driving ability has deteriorated, and they could now be putting themselves and others in immediate danger:

• encourage them to talk to their doctor
• offer to go with them to see their doctor.

If a medical condition that affects the ability to drive is identified, they could still continue to drive with appropriate treatment or restrictions.

A friend or family member can contact Service SA to report concerns about someone’s driving ability. The Department may then:

• contact the driver to arrange a driver medical assessment
• recommend a practical driving assessment by an assessment officer.

To report a medical condition or to learn more about the fitness to drive assessment:

• contact Service SA on 13 10 84
• visit a Service SA centre.

Alternative means of transport

As we get older, a time may come when we can no longer drive safely. When this happens, it is a good idea to find out as much as you can about other means of transport.

Some trips that are more hazardous or unfamiliar might be better done by alternative transport rather than driving.

There are many sources of information on alternative means of transport, including:

• your local council (including community centres and community buses)
• local bus, ride-share and taxi companies
• Adelaide Metro
• COTA SA
• the SA Transport Subsidy Scheme (please discuss this with your doctor to get a referral for an eligibility assessment)
• social networks in your community
• My Aged Care.

Choosing to use alternative transport compares favourably to the annual cost of running a car. This is especially true when you take transport discounts and concessions into account.

Senior Card holders travel for free on Adelaide Metro. Learn more about Seniors Cards.

Using alternative transport is often less stressful and more convenient. This is often the case when travelling to major shopping centres or to the city of Adelaide.