Driving a car is a complex task which requires good vision, judgement, perception and physical abilities. Some drivers may need to have their fitness to drive assessed by VicRoads Medical Review. If you have been requested by VicRoads to undergo a medical review, these questions and answers will help you understand what to do.

What is VicRoads Medical Review?
VicRoads Medical Review assists Victorian drivers by assessing their fitness to drive. The following FAQs provide helpful advice about your rights and responsibilities when VicRoads, as part of the medical review, asks you to provide a medical report from your doctor.

What are my obligations?
You are required to notify VicRoads if you have, or develop, a medical condition that could affect your ability to drive safely. If you drive with a medical condition that impairs your driving, you are putting yourself and other road users at risk. It could also affect your insurance coverage.

Why has VicRoads asked for a medical report?
VicRoads has been provided with information that indicates your ability to drive safely is a concern. As Victoria’s Driver Licensing Authority, VicRoads has a responsibility to investigate all concerns raised. This is why you have been asked to provide a medical report from your doctor who is familiar with your medical history.

What gives VicRoads the right to ask for a medical report?
VicRoads is responsible for making sure all licence holders can drive safely. The Road Safety Act 1986 gives VicRoads the right to ask any licence holder to provide medical and other reports and also to test their driving skills.

I have a good driving record, why is VicRoads questioning my driving?
While your driving in the past may have been good, VicRoads has recently received information about your ability to drive safely.

Who pays for the report?
You are responsible for the costs of all medical reports. Contact Medicare to discuss if you can make a claim for the cost of medical consultations.

What happens if I don’t provide a medical report?
The medical report must be completed if you want Medical Review to assess your fitness to drive. If you do not provide the medical report, VicRoads will be unable to complete the assessment and is obliged, under law, to withdraw your licence.

How can I find out who reported my driving to VicRoads?
If you were reported by police it will be stated in the letter you receive from VicRoads. If you were reported by someone else, VicRoads will not disclose their name unless they consent, or where it is
required by law.

VicRoads endeavours to protect the identity of individuals who provide information in confidence.

How will my doctor assess my medical fitness to drive?
Your doctor will assess your medical fitness to drive by referring to national medical fitness standards.

Will my driving be tested?
VicRoads assesses each medical report on a case-by-case basis and then determines if a driving
test is necessary.

My doctor has told me I am medically fit, so why is a driving test necessary?
If VicRoads is concerned about your driving skills, a driving test is necessary because your doctor can only provide an opinion about your medical fitness. Your driving skills need to be assessed by a driving test.

Can VicRoads withdraw my licence?
If your driving test shows you can drive safely, you will keep your licence. However, depending on
the test results, you may have specific conditions placed on your driving. For example, you may be
limited to driving in daylight hours, or only around your neighbourhood.

VicRoads will only withdraw your licence if you:

• are assessed medically unfit to drive
• fail a driving test
• do not provide the medical report
• decide not to sit a driving test.

If my licence is withdrawn, can I get it back?
Once VicRoads has assessed your fitness to drive, you will be sent a letter outlining the decision.
If your licence has been withdrawn the letter will include information about the steps you need to take to reapply for your licence.

Can I appeal if my licence is withdrawn?
If VicRoads withdraws your licence you can appeal the decision. However, you cannot appeal if VicRoads requests you to provide a medical, or other report, or asks you to complete a driving test.

There are two ways you can appeal:
1. You can ask VicRoads to review the decision.
2. You can appeal to the Magistrates’ Court.

I no longer need my licence, what should I do?
Simply return your driver licence to VicRoads with a note saying you no longer need it and request a
refund of your unused licence fee.

I only drive during the day in my local area. Can I apply for a conditional licence?
Yes. You can request a conditional licence when you sit your driving test. VicRoads will determine what conditions will be best suited to your driving skills.

Can I access my medical records held by VicRoads?
If you want to access your medical records you will need to make a Freedom of Information
(FOI) application and pay a fee. Decisions on what information will be available are made on
a case-by-case basis and will be considered according to the Health Record Act 2001 and the
Freedom of Information Act 1982.

Can anyone else access my records held by VicRoads?
VicRoads may provide your health information to independent bodies who advise VicRoads on the
medical fitness of drivers, law enforcement agencies, other road and traffic authorities, the Transport
Accident Commission (TAC), courts and other persons who are authorised to obtain it.

Further information about the use of your personal and/or health information, and your right to access it, is outlined in the VicRoads brochure Protecting your privacy [PDF, 219KB, 6pp]

To speak to the VicRoads Medical Review team please call (03) 9854 2407. You can also email your enquiry to medicalreview@roads.vic.gov.au