Licences for people with a disability
Find out how to get and maintain your driver’s licence if you have a disability or physical limitation.
If you have a long-term or permanent disability, you may need to tell us about your condition and meet certain requirements to get and maintain your licence.
For licencing purposes, a disability includes a physical, mental, cognitive or developmental condition that has the potential to limit a person's ability to learn to drive or to continue to drive safely.
If you have a temporary disability, like a broken arm or leg, you are not required to report the condition and you may be able to keep driving. Speak to your doctor to make sure it’s safe for you to drive.
Get your driver licence
If you have a disability and want to start to drive, you’ll need to:
- meet the standard learner permit or probationary licence requirements
- meet the national standards for fitness to drive, found on the Austroads website
- declare your disability on your learner permit and/or licence application form
- provide a medical report with information about your disability to Department of Transport and Planning medical review before learning to drive and having your driver licence test.
Licence conditions
Licence conditions can help a driver to learn or continue to drive in a way that suits their capabilities. Any vehicle modification requirements will be included as a condition on your licence.
You may be required to use specific driver aids or vehicle modifications. Conditions can also include only driving:
- automatic cars
- in a dual control car with a driving instructor
- in daylight or during off-peak hours
- in familiar areas within a set radius from home.
If, because of your condition, your functional status may fluctuate or deteriorate, you may need to take regular medical or driving tests. This will keep us updated about your condition, and its potential to affect your driving performance.
Occupational therapy functional assessment
It can be helpful to have a functional assessment by an occupational therapist who is qualified in driver assessment. This will give us more information about your driving status.
Eligible occupational therapists can:
- assess how your physical and cognitive abilities may affect your driving
- recommend potential aids, vehicle modifications or training and driving strategies that might help.
They may help determine your driving potential before you apply for a learner permit.
If your disability improves
If your disability improves, you should report this improvement to us. We may update or remove the conditions on your licence or learner permit.
What if I develop a permanent disability after getting my licence?
You must report your medical condition to us if you develop a permanent disability or a medical condition that could affect your ability to drive.
You may be able to keep driving with some car modifications and/or licence conditions.
Where to find support
To find out more about driving with a disability and get practical support, visit the Disabled Motorists Australia website.
You may be eligible for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding, including help with:
- vehicle modifications
- other driving supports
- associated driving lessons and assessments.
The State-wide Equipment Program (SWEP) provides:
- subsidised aids
- equipment
- home and vehicle modifications.
If your disability was caused by an accident, you may be eligible for financial compensation or support through:
- WorkCover
- the Transport Accident Commission (TAC)
- your personal injury insurer.
Other transport options
If you can’t drive:
- speak to your doctor, who may refer you to a physiotherapist or occupational therapist to review your mobility options
- consider other mobility devices
- check whether you are eligible for the multi-purpose taxi program
- find out about accessible public transport options.
Useful links
Read about: