Medical review driving test

This information sheet explains the Medical Review driving test and how you can prepare for it.

The driving test

The medical review driving test is designed to test the safe driving ability of experienced drivers. You won't fail this test due to a ‘loss of points’. You'll only fail if your driving is unsafe or illegal. 

The driving test location is determined by your driving needs.

If you require an open area licence that allows you to drive on public roads throughout Australia, the test must take place in an area where there are multi-laned roads, roundabouts and traffic lights at intersecting roads.

If you live in an area where it's not possible to test you for these skills, you'll need to do your test in an alternative area such as a larger town. 

If you require a conditional or restricted licence, the test may take place in your local area. When you pass your local area test, conditions/restrictions on your driver licence will apply.

The length of the test will vary depending on how much driving you normally do and will take between 15 and 45 minutes. 

The medical review driving test is free.

Conditional licences

To help you maintain your mobility, Medical Review may offer you a conditional licence. These put a condition or restriction on your driving.

Examples of conditions include:

• distance restrictions, such as a 5 to 10 kilometre radius from home
• daylight driving only
• no driving during peak hours
• only driving between home and a particular location, such as shops or medical centre.

In many cases the restrictions won't differ from how you normally drive. Your tester will discuss these options with you before you start your test.

If you only want to drive locally on a conditional licence, your test will normally be around 15 minutes, as you'll only be tested within your local area.

If you're issued with a conditional licence with a distance restriction but later on wish to extend where you're allowed to drive, you'll need to take another medical review driving test.

This means you should make sure you're clear about your driving needs and discuss these with the tester before your test starts.

How to prepare for your driving test

Even though you may have been driving for many years it's likely you drive differently from when you were first issued with a licence.

Over time, it's common for drivers to develop some bad driving habits. With this in mind it could be useful to get independent advice on your driving.

You could ask a friend or relative, who doesn't normally accompany you, to sit with you while you drive. Or you could have an assessment with a professional driving instructor and if necessary, some refresher lessons.

The test vehicle

You'll be tested in a medical review car with dual controls. Dual controls are important as they allow the tester to take control of the vehicle if an emergency or an unsafe situation occurs.

You'll be given time before the test starts to familiarise yourself with the medical review car. You won't be penalised for driving errors that occur due to your unfamiliarity with the car.

The medical review test car has an automatic transmission. You'll be tested for your ability to drive safely, not your skills at changing gears. This makes the test simpler for you.

If your car is a manual you can continue driving it if you pass the medical review driving test.

Doing your test in a driving istructor's car

If you have had refresher lessons with a professionally qualified driving instructor and would prefer to take your test in their car, let us know when making your driving test appointment. 

This is also an option if you don't want to be tested in an automatic vehicle.

However, if you're tested in your instructor’s car you'll have to pay their costs.

People in the test vehicle 

Medical review vehicle

During the driving test, only you and the tester are allowed in the car.

Driving instructor vehicle

If you have arranged to do the test in your driving instructor’s vehicle, your instructor can accompany you.

The on-road driving test

There are a number of important driving skills that your tester will assess such as signalling and obeying signs. These skills are important because they indicate your ability to drive safely.

The tester will check:

• that you give way at intersections
• how you use the car's mirrors
• your position on the road
• your ability to change lanes or merge
• your ability to brake safely
• your application of the road rules.

Angle parking and three point turns

Angle parking

You'll be asked to complete an angle park between two cars.

This will usually take place in an area where you would normally perform such a park, such as a supermarket car park. 

Three point turn

You'll be asked to complete a three point turn.

A three point turn is the standard method of turning your vehicle around to face the opposite direction (between the kerbs or by using a driveway). This is typically done when the road is too narrow for a U-turn. 

You should practice these manoeuvres before your test.

Unsafe driving

You'll only fail if you do something illegal or unsafe.

You won't fail your test for minor errors like failing to check your mirrors. However, failing to check your mirrors will increase your chances of diverging or braking when it's unsafe to do so, and this will result in you failing your test. 

Examples of illegal or unsafe driving include:

• any action that requires the tester to take control of the vehicle to prevent a dangerous situation
• any action requiring another driver or pedestrian to move to avoid a collision
• colliding with a vehicle, pedestrian or object (such as a rubbish bin on the kerb)
• not stopping at a red light or stop sign
• stopping at a location that places another road user in a dangerous situation
• poor control of the vehicle (you must be able to steer and brake safely)
• driving over the speed by any margin for a continuous period of five seconds or driving over the speed limit by five km/h or more
• driving too slowly without reason.

When you finish your test

The tester will discuss your performance and give you a copy of your driving test results.

If you pass

You'll keep your licence if you passed your test.

If you were tested for a conditional licence, Medical Review will arrange a new licence card with these conditions. 

Licence conditions may include:

• distance restrictions, such as a 5 to 10 kilometre radius from home
• daylight driving only
• no driving during peak hours
• only driving between home anda particular location, such as shops or medical centre.

If you fail

If you fail, Medical Review may vary, suspend or cancel your licence until you are tested again and pass.

In the interim, to help you practise your driving and prepare for another test, a ‘Driver Licence Receipt’ (subject to conditions/restrictions) will be issued for a period of three months.

Licence conditions which enable you to drive to practise for a retest may include:

• only permitted to drive with a full licence holder and within a specified radius from home
• only permitted to drive with a qualified driving instructor
• only permitted to drive with an occupational therapy driver assessor.

You cannot drive alone. 

Regaining your licence

If your licence is suspended or varied for failing a test, it can be reissued at any time when you pass your test.

Other outcomes

Lessons with a qualified driving instructor

You may be required to have lessons with a qualified driving instructor prior to a retest.  A satisfactory driving instructor confirmation form is to be faxed, posted or emailed to Medical Review prior to a retest.

Note: All driving instructor costs incurred are to be met by the driver.

Occupational therapy driver assessment

You may be referred for an occupational therapy driver assessment and will need arrange an appointment with an occupational therapist (OT) for this assessment.

Our list of OTs who conduct driver assessments in Victoria will help you find a qualified OT who can conduct the assessment.

Note: All costs incurred are to be met by the client.

Interstate and overseas drivers

If you hold an interstate driver licence or learner permit, or overseas driver licence, you may be required to undergo a medical review drive test.

If you fail your drive test, your authority to drive in Victoria will be removed.

Contact Medical Review

Email: [email protected]
Call: (03) 8391 3226

Download PDF of this page: medical review driving test (PDF).