Concerns about someone else's driving

You can help others stay safe on the road. If someone you know is getting older or has a health condition, they’ll need to check if they can still drive safely. We support Queenslanders to drive for as long as they can drive safely.

Most drivers aim to drive safely but sometimes they may not think about or understand how their health or getting older can change the way they drive.

Have a chat about safe driving

For many, driving helps them feel independent. Sometimes, this may stop them from telling us when their driving is less safe or they may ignore warning signs. Read about the legal responsibility for all drivers in Queensland to be medically fit to drive and our shared responsibility to keep Queensland roads safe.

If you know someone whose health or age is making their driving less safe, you can help if you have a chat with them about their responsibility to stay safe on the roads.

Encourage them to speak to their doctor to find out if they're medically safe to drive. Their doctor will let them know about the effect that any illness, disability, medical condition or medication may have on their ability to drive safely. A health issue doesn’t always mean someone can’t drive safely but encourage them to visit their doctor to check.

Prepare for your chat

We understand that talking with someone about their driving can be tough. Here are some tips to help you talk with someone you care about.

• Be kind, driving is part of their independence.
• Think about the best time to talk with them.
• Focus on safety and respect their driving experience and how they’ve driven safely before this. Remember, though, you’re talking about their health and how it might affect their safety and the safety of others.
• Tell them what you’ve noticed happening and give examples, if you can.
• Take time to listen to their situation.
• Offer to help them find other ways to get around if they need to.

When you should tell us

If someone keeps driving when the doctor says they should stop, or does not speak to their doctor, you can notify us about your concerns.

Reporting someone’s medical condition does not always mean they’ll lose their licence. We’ll look into it and take the action we find is needed.

How to tell us about a friend or family member

Send us an email or letter with their details, your details and evidence to support your concerns.

You need to include as much information as possible, such as the:

• full name of the driver you have concerns about
• their address
• their date of birth
• their driver licence number, if known
• reasons for your concern and supporting document.

We can only take immediate action to suspend or cancel a licence if you include written advice that their health is affecting their ability to drive safely from either:

• the Queensland Police Service
• a health professional.

Usually, we’ll write to them first to give an opportunity to provide any further information before we make any decisions.

You can notify us by:

• email at mcr@tmr.qld.gov.au
• post
  Department of Transport and Main Roads
  Medical Condition Reporting Unit
  Locked Bag 2000 Red Hill
  ROCKHAMPTON QLD 4701

Reporting someone in the community

You can report any potentially at-risk driver.

If you notice a driver on the road whose driving appears to be impaired by a medical condition or health event, notify the Queensland Police Service.

Read how to report dangerous drivers.