Photo: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Northern Territory is one of only two places in Australia where health professionals have a legal duty to report drivers who may be unsafe. Under section 11 of the NT Motor Vehicles Act 1949, a doctor, occupational therapist, optometrist or physiotherapist who reasonably believes a licensed patient is physically or mentally unable to drive safely must notify the Registrar of Motor Vehicles in writing. You also have your own duty: NT law requires drivers and intending drivers, including learners, to tell the Registrar about any medical condition that could affect safe driving.
This page explains the law, not your health. Ask your doctor whether your condition affects your driving.
Who must report in the NT
| Who | Duty | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| You (or your personal representative) | Notify the Registrar of a physical or mental incapacity that may affect your ability to drive safely | Motor Vehicles Act s.11(3); the NT handbook applies it to intending drivers too |
| Medical practitioners | Must notify the Registrar in writing if they reasonably believe a patient they examined is licensed and unsafe or unfit to drive | s.11(4) |
| Occupational therapists, optometrists and physiotherapists | Same duty as doctors (registered practitioners only, not students) | s.11(1A) and s.11(4) |
The notice must give the patient’s name, address and the nature of the incapacity or unfitness. A practitioner who reports in good faith is not civilly or criminally liable, and is not in breach of any professional code of conduct, for doing so (s.11(5)).
What this means for learner drivers
- Declare at application. When you apply for your learner licence, you must say whether any medical condition could affect your driving. Depending on the condition, you may need a fitness-to-drive assessment by a health professional.
- The Registrar can ask for an exam. Section 11(2) lets the Registrar require an applicant or licence holder, including a learner, to be examined by an approved practitioner if the Registrar thinks they may be unfit.
- An on-road assessment may be needed. Some conditions require an on-road driving assessment with an occupational therapist.
- Most people still get licensed. The NT handbook says very few conditions prevent a licence being issued, and conditions such as wearing glasses or driving only automatic cars are common.
What conditions does this cover?
The NT handbook says to notify the Registrar of any medical condition, “including disability, mental illness or eyesight”, that could affect your ability to drive safely and legally. Having a condition is not the test; the question is whether it could affect safe driving. National standards for specific conditions are explained in driving with a medical condition or disability in Australia.
Licences with conditions
Section 11A of the Act lets the Registrar issue a licence to a person with a physical disability on conditions the Registrar thinks appropriate. A condition may limit you to:
- a specified kind of vehicle, or
- a vehicle specially built or adapted for you.
The Registrar can also exempt a person with a disability from specified provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act or the Traffic Act, by endorsement on the licence.
What happens after a report
- The Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) reviews the report.
- You may be asked for a medical examination by an approved practitioner, or an on-road assessment.
- MVR decides whether to issue, renew, suspend or cancel your licence, or issue a conditional licence. Decisions consider both health and driving performance.
Remote communities
If you live in a remote community, getting to a GP, OT or optometrist for an assessment can take time. Start early, and ask MVR what can be done locally. Licensing in remote areas is covered in getting a licence in remote NT communities.
Contact
For questions about medical fitness, call MVR on 1300 654 628 or ask your health professional.
Related guides
- Driving with a medical condition or disability in Australia (series overview)
- Learning to drive in the Northern Territory
- NT learner licence rules
- South Australia health professional reporting
- Medical conditions and fitness to drive: reporting in each state
Sources
- Northern Territory Government, Motor Vehicles Act 1949 (as in force at 18 November 2025), sections 11 and 11A (legislation.nt.gov.au)
- Northern Territory Government, “Road Users’ Handbook” (August 2020), Medical fitness to hold a licence (nt.gov.au)