It is critical that all drivers are medically fit to drive. Medical conditions causing lapses of attention or lack of control of a motor vehicle can have disastrous effects on you, your family, your friends or other road users.
If you have a medical condition that may affect your fitness to drive, or are taking medication that can affect driving, you should discuss this with your health professional.
There are a wide range of medical conditions, or combinations of medical conditions, that can affect your fitness to drive.
| Some of the medical conditions that can affect driving are: |
|
| Diabetes | Injuries and disabilities, including limb amputation or paralysis |
| Epilepsy | Alcohol/drug dependency |
| Heart disease | Fainting |
| Stroke | Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological disorders |
| Arthritis and other joint problems | Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease |
| Eyesight problems such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration | Giddiness or dizziness |
| Sleep disorders, like sleep apnoea | High or low blood pressure |
| Attention deficit disorder (ADD) or Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) | Depression or other mental health problems like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychosis. |
| Lung disease | |
If you are not sure whether your state of health is considered to affect your driving you should speak to your health professional.
Further information on how these conditions can affect driving can be obtained from your health professional or from the national fitness to drive guidelines.
FAQs
How do I get a Certificate of Medical Fitness to Drive?
Download the appropriate form (light or heavy vehicle driver) or obtain the certificate from a Service SA Customer Service Centre. Ensure that you obtain the correct certificate of fitness. The “light vehicle drivers” certificate is for holders of light rigid, car and motor cycle class licences with the “heavy vehicle drivers” certificate for all other classes of licences.
Fill in the first page of the form and take it to your doctor for a medical examination. When making an appointment to see a health professional, tell the receptionist why you need the appointment so that the necessary time can be allowed to complete the medical certificate. The medical examination will be conducted according to the national assessing Fitness to Drive Guidelines.
The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) is not responsible for the costs of seeing your health professional.
What happens when my doctor or other health professional has completed the Certificate of Medical Fitness to Drive?
Take the Certificate and your driver’s licence (or application form) to a Service SA customer service centre.
Alternatively, you can post it to the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, GPO Box 1533, Adelaide SA 5001.
How your licence or permit will be affected will depend on the medical condition, any medications you take and the health professional’s recommendations.It may also be recommended that you have a practical driving assessment.
Your licence or permit may be:
- issued or renewed without any changes
- suspended temporarily
- cancelled
- amended to still allow you to drive, but under a driving restriction (for example, driving in daylight hours only, while wearing prescribed glasses, or a vehicle fitted with hand controls).
If your medical condition means you cannot drive any more, or you simply don’t want to, you should hand in your licence.
You have a right of appeal to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles against any licensing decision you disagree with.
You can receive heavy penalties if you are found to be driving while your licence is suspended or cancelled, or if you are not obeying a driving restriction.
What happens if I am required to take a Practical Driving Assessment?
You will receive a letter asking you to make an appointment for a Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) with an assessment officer employed by the Department for Planning, Transport and Infrastructure. The assessment conducted will be relevant to any medical condition or other fitness to drive issues identified by your health professional.
The PDA is not the same as the driving test that learner drivers are required to pass. It is simply an assessment of the driver’s ability to control the vehicle and to comply with road law. The PDA is first conducted in a quiet off-road area such as a car park and then in normal traffic conditions. PDAs are usually conducted in the driver’s own vehicle, (after a brief road worthiness check by the assessment officer).
What the Law says
South Australian law requires all drivers and driver’s licence applicants (including learner’s permit applicants) to notify the Registrar of Motor Vehicles on their licence renewal or application form if they have a medical condition that can affect their fitness to drive.
Medical certificates of fitness are required each year for drivers aged 70 and over. This is regardless of whether you have an ongoing medical condition. If you are required to have a medical examination, you will be sent a form to take to your doctor to fill in.
Drivers who hold any class of licence other than for a car are also required to take a practical driving assessment at age 85 and every year thereafter. However, a health professional may recommend a practical assessment at any age irrespective of the type of licence held by the driver, if considered necessary.
Additional requirements apply if you hold a heavy vehicle licence.
The law also requires certain health professionals such as medical practitioners, optometrists and physiotherapists to notify the Registrar anytime they consider a driver or driver’s licence applicant is temporarily or permanently unfit to drive. Health professionals can also recommend that a driver or licence applicant undertake a practical assessment of their ability to drive.
Any other concerned member of the community or public, including carers, family members and police officers, with genuine concerns about a person's fitness to drive, can advise the Registrar by telephoning 13 10 84. Please note that any discussion can only be in general terms (i.e. the process that occurs once the Registrar is advised). You will not be able to discuss the person's medical record / history etc. as this is subject to the strict confidentiality provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act 1959.
Penalties
Drivers who fail to report in writing any medical condition that may affect their ability to drive can be fined up to $750.
Publications
Assessing Fitness to Drive Guidelines
Links
Government of South Australia - Drivers and Licences information
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