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In Australia, a medical condition or disability rarely stops you getting your Ls. You must declare any condition that could affect your driving when you apply for a learner licence, and tell your state or territory licensing authority if a condition starts or gets worse later. The authority then decides, using the national Assessing Fitness to Drive standards, whether you can drive with no conditions, drive with conditions (such as glasses, an automatic car or regular reviews), or need to wait. This guide explains how that works and links to every post in our Australian medical and disability series.
This page explains licensing rules only. For advice about your own health, ask your doctor, specialist or optometrist.
Key facts
- One national standard, eight decision-makers. Austroads publishes Assessing Fitness to Drive (2022 edition). Each state and territory licensing authority applies it and makes the licensing decision.
- You declare, your doctor advises. In most of Australia, telling the authority is your legal responsibility. Only South Australia and the Northern Territory also place a reporting duty on health professionals.
- Conditional licences are common. The NT handbook says very few conditions prevent a licence being issued.
- Private and commercial standards differ. Car (private) standards are less strict than those for truck, bus and commercial drivers.
How fitness to drive works in Australia
- Declare. Answer the health questions on your learner licence application honestly. In WA, for example, you declare conditions and medicines on the application form and the customer service officer tells you whether you need a medical assessment first.
- Medical assessment, if asked. Your doctor completes your state’s form, using the national standards. Some conditions need a specialist letter.
- Possibly a driving assessment. Some conditions need an on-road assessment, often with an occupational therapist (OT).
- Decision. The authority issues an unconditional licence, a conditional licence, or asks you to wait or reapply later.
- Keep it current. Report new or worsening conditions while you hold your learner licence, P plates or full licence.
State-by-state reporting duties, contacts and penalties are set out in medical conditions and fitness to drive in Australia.
Does my doctor have to report me?
| Where | Health professional duty |
|---|---|
| South Australia | Service SA says you or your medical practitioner must report a condition that could affect your ability to drive. See South Australia health professional reporting. |
| Northern Territory | Under section 11 of the NT Motor Vehicles Act, doctors, occupational therapists, optometrists and physiotherapists must notify the Registrar if they reasonably believe a licensed patient is unsafe to drive. See Northern Territory mandatory medical reporting. |
| Everywhere else | Reporting is the driver’s responsibility. Don’t rely on your doctor to do it for you. |
Common conditions and where to read more
| Topic | What the standard looks at | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Epilepsy and seizures | Seizure-free periods and reviews | Epilepsy and getting your Ls |
| Type 1 diabetes | Severe hypos and regular reviews | Type 1 diabetes and your learner licence |
| Heart conditions, blackouts, sleep apnoea | Risk of sudden loss of control or sleepiness | Heart conditions, blackouts and sleep apnoea |
| Eyesight | Acuity, visual field, one eye | Australian driving eyesight standards and eyesight tests for your learner licence |
| Low vision and bioptic telescopes | Rules vary by state; check with your licensing authority | Bioptic telescopes and driving in Australia |
| Physical disability and car modifications | OT assessment and modified vehicles | Learning to drive with a disability |
| Medicines and medicinal cannabis | Drug driving laws, zero limits for L and P platers | Drug driving and medicinal cannabis |
Help with the learner knowledge test
Every state offers some support, such as an assistant reader in NSW, an oral test in WA, a verbal test in the NT and free interpreters (including Auslan in Victoria). The full list is in learner knowledge test support in every Australian state. For other languages, see learner tests in other languages.
Hearing loss and deafness
South Australia lists hearing loss among the conditions that can affect safe driving, so it is worth declaring if you are unsure. Check your state’s medical and test-support requirements rather than assuming the learner eyesight check covers every health question. If you are Deaf or hard of hearing, the main practical questions are test support (such as an Auslan interpreter) and how instructions are given on the driving test. Ask your licensing authority when you book.
Pregnancy
If a pregnancy-related condition affects your ability to drive safely, ask your doctor whether you need to tell your licensing authority. Seatbelt law still applies: WA’s handbook says pregnant women must wear a seatbelt unless they have a current medical certificate exempting them.
State-specific guides
- Queensland medical certificate for driving
- South Australia health professional reporting
- Northern Territory mandatory medical reporting
Parking permits
The Australian Disability Parking Scheme gives eligible people one permit that is recognised in every state and territory. How to apply and what it lets you do: disability parking permits in Australia.
Common questions
Will declaring a condition delay my learner licence?
It can, if the authority asks for a medical report before issuing it. Getting the form to your doctor early is the quickest route. Many applicants with declared conditions get their Ls with no delay at all.
Does a conditional licence show my diagnosis?
WA says the licence card shows only the condition, such as wearing glasses, not the diagnosis.
What about older relatives I supervise with?
Supervisors must hold a valid licence, which may include age-based medical checks in some states. See older drivers’ licence rules in each state.
Want to practise the eyesight check? Our sister site Driving Eyesight Test has a free Australia letter chart on drivingeyesighttest.com. It is a practice screen, not an eye test.
Sources
- Austroads, “Assessing Fitness to Drive” (AP-G56-22) and “Summary of changes” (austroads.gov.au)
- Government of South Australia, “Report a medical condition” (sa.gov.au)
- Northern Territory Government, Motor Vehicles Act 1949, section 11 (legislation.nt.gov.au)
- Northern Territory Government, “Road Users’ Handbook” (nt.gov.au)
- Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, “Get a learner’s permit”, “Report a medical condition” and “Drive Safe” handbook (transport.wa.gov.au)