Dementia is a condition that may affect memory, concentration, judgement, vision or problem solving. It can cause difficulties completing everyday tasks such as household chores or driving. A diagnosis of dementia doesn’t necessarily mean that you are incapable of driving safely. However, at some stage in the future, a person with dementia will not be able to drive.

Dementia is a medical condition that must be disclosed to VicRoads because it will affect your ability to drive safely.

This web page describes how you can meet your legal obligations and what you can do about driving, if you develop dementia.

What are the warning signs?
If you have a possible or confirmed diagnosis of dementia – watch out for the following signs:

• getting disorientated or lost whilst driving in familiar areas
• forgetting the purpose of the trip
• losing the car in a familiar car park
• difficulty making quick decisions when managing intersections or busy roads
• driving through Stop/Give Way signs or traffic lights without giving way
• failing to see vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists who are sharing the roadway
• difficulty parking or driving into a carport or garage
• slower reaction time, difficulty using the brake, accelerator or steering wheel
• unexplained dents and scrapes on the car.

You are more likely to experience these symptoms as your dementia worsens. Sometimes family and friends may notice the signs of dementia before you do, and they may need to assist you to limit or stop driving.

How can I retain my licence?
If you hold a current driver licence you are required by law to notify VicRoads if you have or develop
any permanent or long term medical condition which may affect your ability to drive safely.
This includes dementia.

If you continue to drive with any serious or chronic medical condition that may affect your driving, and you have not notified VicRoads, there could be serious consequences. If you are in a crash, you could be charged with driving offences or be sued. In addition, your insurance company may not provide cover.

You should be aware that some medicines might also affect your ability to drive safely. It is illegal to drive if you experience significant side effects caused by any medicine(s). Discuss this with your doctor.

What are the medical guidelines for dementia and driving?
VicRoads is responsible for ensuring that all drivers can drive safely. VicRoads makes licensing decisions based on the national medical guidelines for assessing fitness to drive and individual medical reports.

As part of a medical review, you will be required to have a neurological examination and to provide a report from your GP or neurologist. This report must be no more than six months old. 

Medical report form [PDF, 117 KB, 2pp]

The staff who will advise you about the process are located in VicRoads Medical Review – you can contact them in confidence to obtain information or copies of forms.

A driving test
VicRoads' policy is to keep you driving – as long as you can do so safely. VicRoads may ask you to complete an on-road test to assess whether you can continue to drive safely. This test is usually conducted by an occupational therapy driver assessor. Prior to this the occupational therapist will ask you about your driving and medical history, test your understanding of the road rules, and assess your physical and mental capabilities. The occupational therapist will observe your driving performance and provide you with feedback.

Based on the result of any on-road driving test, medical advice and other information (e.g. police  reports), VicRoads will decide if you can retain your driver licence. Sometimes a driver can continue to drive independently with a condition on their licence. These options are only possible if the driver can reasonably be expected to remember and apply the condition/s. Examples include:

• only driving in daylight or in off-peak hours
• driving only in familiar areas within a set radius from home.

Through these licence conditions, VicRoads can help a driver to continue to drive in a way that suits their capabilities. As dementia is a progressive condition, you may be required to have regular medical and driving tests to monitor your ongoing ability to drive safely.

Drivers of commercial vehicles
Guidelines for commercial truck, taxi and bus licences are stricter than those for private licences. This is because drivers of these vehicles may be carrying passengers or dangerous goods, the vehicles may be more difficult to drive and they pose greater road safety risks in a crash.

What can I do if my licence is suspended or cancelled?
If VicRoads suspends or cancels your driver licence on medical grounds, or if you voluntarily surrender it, you will not be eligible to regain it until you provide a medical report that indicates that you have met the requirements for fitness to drive. You may also be required to undertake an on-road test.

You may receive a partial refund of your driver licence fee if your licence is cancelled due to your dementia, or if you decide to surrender it.

What if I disagree with VicRoads' decision?
If you disagree with a decision made by VicRoads you can ask for the decision to be reviewed. This review will determine if your case has been administered correctly. You also have the right of appeal in a Magistrates’ Court against any decision by VicRoads. You should consult a solicitor or registrar of a Magistrates’ Court to find out what you have to do.

How can I plan ahead to stay mobile?
If you have dementia, you should plan ahead for the time when you will no longer be able to drive. 

It is important for you to maintain your social contacts. Many people with dementia continue to keep active without driving by using different ways to keep mobile. Some ideas others have found helpful include:

• discuss driving and mobility regularly with the GP
• make sure that your eyesight is checked at least every two years or more frequently if you have cataracts or eye disease: good vision is required for mobility
• develop a relationship with your pharmacist and always ask about medication side effects and their possible impact on driving
• develop confidence with using public transport or community buses to get to local facilities (shops, doctor, bank etc.)
• arrange appointments and social visits at times when others can do the driving
• exchange rides with friends or neighbours for other favours
• ask about transport rosters (to get to church, Probus or other clubs)
• arrange for family or friends to visit you so you don’t need to travel
• write out a plan of action for the time when your driving is no longer safe (e.g. which people make the decision and when, what to do with the car, selling the car and using the proceeds for a taxi fund).

It might be upsetting to think about limiting or giving up driving, but it is helpful if you, family or carers and health professionals can discuss this openly and think about some strategies to help you adapt.

Where can I get further information?
If you have concerns about your ability to drive, speak to your family, carer and doctor. You can also contact VicRoads Medical Review in confidence to discuss your concerns.

For information on driving contact:
VicRoads Medical Review
PO Box 2504
Kew 3101
Tel: (03) 9854 2407
Fax: (03) 9854 2307
Email: medicalreview@roads.vic.gov.au

For information about dementia and available resources and services contact:
Alzheimer’s Australia Vic
98 -104 Riversdale Road,
Hawthorn Vic 3122
Tel: (03) 9815 7800
Fax: (03) 9815 7801
Email: alz@alzvic.asn.au
Website: www.alzheimers.org.au/vic

Telephone advisory services
National Dementia Helpline :1800 100 500

National Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service - Victoria (DBMAS) 24 hour advice, assessment, intervention, education and specialised support: 1800 699 799