Medical fitness to drive

If you intend on driving in Queensland, you must notify us about any medical condition that is likely to adversely affect your ability to drive safely.

You must notify us if you develop a permanent or long-term medical condition, or if you have a permanent or long-term increase in, or other aggravation of a medical condition that is likely to affect your ability to drive safely.

This includes anyone who applies for or holds a Queensland driver licence. It also applies to interstate and overseas driver licence holders who intend to drive in Queensland.

If your condition is temporary, you don’t need to notify us unless the medical condition becomes long-term or permanent and is likely to adversely affect your ability to drive safely.

Notify us about your medical condition

You can use this service to notify us about your medical condition.

Notify us about your medical condition

You can notify us:

• in person at a transport and motoring customer service centre
• by completing the medical condition notification (form F4355) and email it or mail it to the address on the form.

If you do not notify us about your medical condition, you may receive a maximum court-imposed fine of more than $9,200 and your driver licence may be cancelled.

Your health professional is legally permitted to notify us about your medical condition.

Medical conditions

Some of the more common medical conditions that are likely to affect your ability to drive safely include:

• blackouts
• diabetes
• eye or vision problems
• heart disease
• neurological—dementia, stroke, seizures or epilepsy
• psychiatric disorders
• sleep disorders
• alcohol or drug dependency.

Permanent or long-term medical conditions

You need to have your medical fitness to drive assessed if you develop a permanent or long-term medical condition, or an increase in or change to an existing medical condition, that is likely to adversely affect your ability to drive safely.

If you are uncertain about your medical condition, and the impact it may have on your ability to drive safely, we recommend that you consult your health professional.

Assessing your medical fitness to drive

Your health professional will assess your medical fitness to drive.

When making your appointment to see your health professional, we recommend that you advise the reason for your visit so that an appropriate length appointment can be made for you.

When you attend your appointment, take with you a medical certificate for motor vehicle driver form (F3712). You can get a hard copy of this form at a transport and motoring customer service centre.

It is recommended that you also complete the health questionnaire on page 1 of the Private and Commercial Vehicle Driver’s Health Assessment form (F3195) prior to attending your appointment as this information will assist your health professional with undertaking their medical assessment.

Your medical fitness to drive will be assessed against medical standards that are the same across all Australian driver licensing jurisdictions.

There are 2 medical standards:

• private vehicle driver standard
• commercial vehicle standard.

You will be assessed against the standard of driver licence that you hold, or apply for and the purpose for which you drive, or plan to drive.

You must respond truthfully to questions from health professionals regarding your health status.

Specialist assessment

Some medical conditions need assessment by a specialist qualified in managing your particular medical condition. Your general practitioner will refer you to a specialist who will undertake further assessment of your medical condition and provide a report back to your general practitioner.

If you can't see a specialist and you have been assessed by your health professional as not meeting the criteria to hold an unconditional licence, talk to your health professional about whether you meet the criteria to hold a conditional licence.

While waiting for the specialist assessment, you may be permitted to drive if:

• you have an appointment to see the relevant specialist at the earliest practicable opportunity
• AND in the opinion of your health professional your medical condition is not likely to lead to an acute incapacity, or loss of concentration before the assessment occurs.

If this is the case, your health professional will need to complete an interim medical certificate for motor vehicle drivers form (F3712) that covers this period of time only. You must carry this certificate when you drive and you must drive in accordance with conditions listed (if there are any).

Driver assessment

To assist your health professional with providing a recommendation to us regarding your medical fitness to drive, they may require you to undertake a driver assessment. Driver assessments are conducted by an occupational therapist who is qualified to conduct an assessment. You will be responsible for the costs associated with the assessment.

If you need a driver assessment, your health professional will need to complete an interim medical certificate for motor vehicle drivers form (F3712) for you so you can undertake a driver assessment. You must carry and drive in accordance with this certificate while you are undertaking your assessment.

For more information and a list of qualified occupational therapists please contact Occupational Therapy Australia – Queensland on (07) 3852 6755.

Health professional fees

Health professional fees are set by the health professional. We do not have any influence over the fees charged for services provided by health professionals.