Medical review
Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) has an obligation to make sure that everyone who drives can drive safely without creating dangers for other road users.
This means, in Victoria, drivers can drive for as long as they are safe to do so. A formal assessment of an older driver’s fitness to drive is reserved for those drivers who have been identified as at-risk.
If you know someone whose ability to drive safely is compromised in any way, they may be required to participate in a Medical Review.
It may seem like a big step, but all drivers have a legal responsibility to let DTP know of any serious or chronic medical condition, disability, illness, injury, or medical treatments that could impact their ability to drive safely. Failing to do so could mean their insurance coverage is void.
It is important to remember that age alone is not indicative of someone’s ability to drive. Making a medical report should be based on observed behaviour or concerns rather than age alone.
Who can initiate a DTP Medical Review?
When someone’s no longer able to drive safely, they become a risk on the roads. To themselves, and to others. That’s why anyone can make a report to DTP and initiate a medical review, including:
Drivers can self-report by asking their doctor to complete a medical report form that is sent to DTP.
Friends and family can make an anonymous report by sending a letter or email with the driver’s name and address, explaining their concerns.
Police, health professionals and other members of the community can also report a driver to DTP for a medical review.
Medical review driving assessment
If the senior driver needs to participate in a Medical Review, the first step will be filling out a medical report form with a doctor. In some cases, additional information may be required.
The Medical Review team may request a report from other health professional/s, or for the driver to complete a medical review driving test or an occupational therapy driving assessment. This process can help them understand if the driver will benefit from any conditions to be placed on their licence that support them to drive within their abilities, such as limiting where and when they drive or, in some cases, whether they should retire from driving altogether. Most senior drivers who have a medical review assessment continue driving, and sometimes regular driving reviews are requested by Medical Review to monitor a driver’s safety.
It may seem like a big step, but all drivers have a legal responsibility to let DTP know of any serious or chronic medical condition, disability, illness, injury, or medical treatments that could impact their ability to drive safely. Failing to do so could place the driver and others on the road at risk and could also mean their insurance coverage is void.
The aim of medical review is to consider the driver’s safety on the road, and to support drivers to remain driving as long as they are safe to do so.
Impact of assessment results on your driver licence
If a person is unable to pass this assessment, DTP may suspend or cancel their driver licence until they are tested again, and they pass.
In the meantime, it is important to work with the senior driver to consider alternative to driving so they can remain connected to the people and activities that are important to them.
