Road rules and safety

Age and driving safely

You can drive in Victoria at any eligible licensing age. However, you must be medically safe to drive.

Often physical and other changes that commonly come with age happen very slowly. It is important to watch for the changes that might affect your ability to drive and discuss driving with your doctor when you have your health checks.

These changes can be physical, or changes to your memory and thinking. They can include changes to eyesight, memory, ability to make decisions, slower reaction time, reduced mobility caused by stiffness, pain or weakness, hearing loss, and an increase in medications.

You must tell the Medical Review team if you have a medical condition that affects your ability to drive. This includes vision impairments, and a range of other medical conditions that commonly develop with age. In some cases, you may be asked to complete a medical review.  

When to see a doctor about driving safety

If you answer ‘yes’ to any of the driving statements in the high-risk driving checklist below:  

  1. Speak to your doctor about your driving safety.  
  2. Check whether you need to complete a medical review.
  3. Contact your local council to find out about local driver safety programs.

High risk driving checklist

  • It’s difficult to turn my head to see over my shoulder.
  • My joints ache after I’ve been driving for an hour or more.
  • It’s difficult to change my focus from the road ahead to your dashboard, or vice-versa.
  • It’s harder to see at twilight than it used to be.  
  • I have trouble seeing pedestrians when I’m concentrating on the road.
  • I have trouble telling how far away objects are.  
  • Glare and sunlight affect my eyes more than it used to.  
  • I have more difficulty driving at night than I used to.  

Ways to improve your driving safety

Being alert to the health and related conditions that might affect our ability to drive safely is our best protection, and the best protection for other people on the road.  

Older adults are commonly among the most sensible drivers on the road, as they commonly adapt their driving to their own comfort level. This may include the following:  

Avoid:

  • difficult road conditions such as bad weather, poor light or peak traffic times
  • distractions such as mobile phones, music players or multiple passengers
  • driving if you’re tired, sick or upset.

Other transport options

Consider other options, including:

  • travelling with family, friends and neighbours
  • walking or cycling  
  • using a motorised mobility device (powered scooter, for example)
  • planning a journey on public transport
  • taxi services
  • community transport
  • any community transport offered by your local council.  

Discounts on other transport

You could be eligible for a discount or subsidy for your alternative transport, including:

Travellers Aid

Travellers Aid Australia can help you while you travel. They can provide:

  • emergency assistance
  • companion services
  • personal care while travelling
  • mobility equipment
  • information and advice.

Useful resources

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