Can I lose my licence because of disability?

Key points:

• Statistically, almost every primary carer — 97.5 percent — helps the main person they cared for with non-core activities, such as driving

• Disability Support Guide has a number of helpful and uplifting guides to keep you on the road, should you choose to take the wheel and live independently

• Australia has a national ‘Assessing Fitness to Drive’ set of standards that you may be required to pass by your GP, however, this won’t necessarily be covered by the NDIS

A disability diagnosis can completely change your life, but that doesn’t mean it has to stop you from accessing support or disregarding ways to live life on your own terms.

You may be able to receive funding for a driver-trained occupational therapist through the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Alternatively, you can start your journey by getting your state or territory licencing authority to do a driving assessment with you.

Fitness to drive refers to your ability to drive a motor vehicle safely. It’s assessed based on your physical, mental and sensory abilities, compared to those seen as necessary to operate a vehicle. If you have a disability, your fitness to drive might be affected and it’s important to have it properly assessed.

Suppose you have been diagnosed with an acquired disability, a temporary/permanent disability or a congenital disability that progresses. In that case, you may find that things like reading road signs in time or your likelihood of an involuntary movement/episode could put you at risk on the road.

Each state and territory has different forms that your doctor may use to determine whether you will be safe to drive.

In South Australia, for instance, the Department of Infrastructure and Transport may ask you to complete and submit the outcome of a periodic review to ensure you’re as capable as you’ve always been to drive or to establish you’re ready to begin driving.

In Queensland, the Department of Transport and Main Roads has a PDF form that you can review online before you speak with your GP. Main Roads in Western Australia has a similar form.

Your local doctor may refer you to a specialist if they need more information about your condition to sign off on your ability to drive and, following an on-road assessment — if one is requested, you’ll need to learn more about any driving restrictions that may apply.

Specialised driving tests may be funded by the NDIS if they are approved as a part of your plan.

With proper assessments, vehicle modifications and sometimes lifestyle adjustments, many people with disabilities can continue driving safely.

If you have any concerns about your fitness to drive, it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor or a driving specialist. They can help you determine the safest course of action, whether that’s modifying your vehicle, making adjustments to your driving routine or seeking an official assessment.

Ultimately, although living with a disability — whether progressive, permanent, temporary or acquired — does not directly mean that you will instantly lose your licence, if you can work together with professionals to adjust your driving, you can stay safe. Safe driving can help you keep your licence for longer and with professional support to back your decision.

It’s important to remember that if you have been asked to talk about your driving, it’s not a reflection on you or your diagnosis. Different parts of Australia will require people of a certain age to check in with their doctor and speak about their safety on the road, with or without disability.

Similarly, if you have been prescribed certain medicines that warn you about operating machinery or driving, that may play a role in your safety on the road.

Just as modified equipment can ensure driving is accessible for you, modifying your driving conditions can make the road accessible for everyone.

Have you spoken with your doctor about driving?

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