Medical conditions that can affect driving
Some common conditions that may affect safe driving include:
- Dementia
- Diabetes
- Hearing impairments
- Heart condition
- Multiple medical conditions
- Neurological conditions
- Psychiatric conditions
- Seizures (including epilepsy)
- Sleep disorders
- Vision and driving
Having one of these conditions does not automatically mean you must stop driving. Many people continue to drive safely with the right support or licence conditions in place.
The goal is always road safety, while supporting people to maintain independence wherever possible.
Medical reviews are not about taking licences away – they're about helping ensure everyone can use the road safely. Many people continue driving after a review, sometimes with added supports or conditions that suit their health needs.
You'll find more information on common medical conditions on the Transport Victoria website.
Your responsibility
If you have, or develop, a long term or permanent medical condition, disability, illness or injury that may affect your ability to drive safely, you are required by law to tell Transport Victoria's Medical Review team as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the medical condition, disability, injury or illness.
This also applies if your treatment for any of the above could affect how you drive. Telling us early helps avoid delays and allows us to support you to keep driving safely.
To find out how to report any medical condition that may affect your ability to drive safely, visit Tell us about your medical condition or disability on the Transport Victoria website.
If you drive commercially (including heavy vehicles), stricter medical standards apply. You may need to complete a medical review so we can assess your ability to drive safely.
If you receive a letter about a medical review
If you've received a letter asking you to complete a medical review, this means Transport Victoria’s Medical Review team needs updated medical information to confirm that you can continue driving safely.
This is a common process and does not automatically mean you will lose your licence.
Most people who complete a medical review continue driving, sometimes with licence conditions tailored to their health needs.
Your letter will explain:
- why the review has been requested
- what medical report or information is needed
- who needs to complete it (your GP or specialist)
- when it is due
- what may happen if it isn’t submitted by the due date
Please read the letter carefully and take it with you to your medical appointment.
- Book an appointment with your GP or specialist as soon as possible.
- Take the letter with you so your doctor knows exactly what Medical Review is requesting.
- Only submit the reports listed in your letter – sending extra or duplicate reports can delay your assessment.
- Wherever possible, ask your doctor or specialist to submit the medical report online, as this is the fastest way for Medical Review to receive it. Give your doctor this link: https://medicalreport.transport.vic.gov.au/
If you cannot get an appointment before the due date, call the number on your review letter. We may be able to extend your timeframe depending on your circumstances.
How medical reviews work
A medical review is a process used to check that someone can drive safely if there are concerns about their health and driving.
A medical review may start if:
- You report a medical condition, disability, illness or injury yourself
- A doctor, police officer or community member raises a concern
Anyone who drives in Victoria can be asked to complete a medical review, including people with good driving records, learner permits, or interstate or overseas licences.
You'll receive a letter explaining what information or reports are needed and when they're due.
It's important to respond by the due date to avoid possible licence suspension or cancellation.
Your doctor or specialist must complete a medical report using the national Assessing Fitness to Drive guidelines via Medical Review Portal.
Once a report is submitted, Transport Victoria's Medical Review team assesses the information using the Assessing Fitness to Drive guidelines.
If more information is needed to assess your fitness to drive, Medical Review may ask you to:
- provide an additional report from a medical specialist (e.g. cardiologist, neurologist, ophthalmologist)
- complete a driving test
- complete an occupational therapy driving assessment
These steps help Medical Review understand whether it's safe for you to continue driving.
Based on the information and reports provided and practical assessments (if required), Medical Review will decide whether you can:
- keep driving with no changes
- drive with conditions
- temporarily stop driving
- stop driving if it’s no longer safe
Once Transport Victoria’s Medical Review team receives all required medical reports, reviews generally take several weeks to complete. More complex cases can take longer.
We'll contact you if we need more information. If you haven't heard from us, it usually means your review is still being assessed.
Calling us while your review is in progress won't speed up the process or decision.
You’ll be contacted when a decision is made, or if we need more information. Please wait for us to contact you before re-sending documents or calling to check your status.
Who does what: VicRoads, Transport Victoria and your doctor
Who is responsible for each part of your medical review:
Your doctor or specialist
- Completes the medical report requested in your letter
- Explains your medical condition and any impacts on driving
- Submits the medical report online
Transport Victoria's Medical Review team
- Assesses your medical information
- Makes decisions about your fitness to drive
- Writes to you if more information is needed or when a decision is made
- Phone enquiries are handled by our customer service team, who can provide status updates only
VicRoads
- Manages your licence record
- Can check whether a medical report has been received
- Can access extensions to due dates, where applicable
- Does not assess medical information or make fitness to drive decisions
When to contact Transport Victoria's Medical Review team
You should contact Medical Review if:
- The details in your letter don't match your situation
- Your medical condition has changed significantly
- You believe there's been a mistake
For updates on your medical assessment, please wait for them to contact you.
More information available at Transport Victoria
For more information and to contact Medical Review, visit How medical reviews work on the Transport Victoria website.
Conditional licences
In some cases, conditions may be added to your licence to help you keep driving safely.
For example:
- Wearing corrective lenses
- Driving during daylight hours only
- Driving within a set distance from home
If conditions are added to your licence, you’ll be notified in writing and sent a new licence card. See Medical conditions on the Transport Victoria website.