Age and driving safely

Retiring from driving

If you're thinking about reducing your driving or stopping all together, this page has information about adjusting to the change.

We understand the important role driving plays in keeping people connected and independent.

We want people to be independent drivers for as long as they are safe. Having a medical condition doesn't mean a person is ineligible to hold a licence.

Eventually we'll all need to stop driving. The ideal approach to retiring from driving is to gradually transition from regular driving to using alternative transport options.

If you have concerns about someone’s driving, you need to talk to them about it. Equally, if someone speaks to you about your driving, you need to listen and reflect on your own driving.

All drivers, no matter what age, should routinely consider ‘am I still fit to drive?’ Many of us drive every day without thinking about the risks that come with being behind the wheel.

All of us need to make sure we're fit to drive, or we risk harming ourselves and others.

If you have or develop any serious or chronic medical conditions, injuries or disabilities (or the effects of treatment for any of those conditions), you must:

talk to your doctor about how it might affect your driving
contact Medical Review to report your condition
send Medical Review a medical report from a doctor who knows your medical history.

The road ahead: alternatives to driving

It’s a good idea, where possible, to try out other forms of transport before you stop driving. This will make the transition from driving much smoother, and ensure you stay active and connected to your local community.

In some situations - such as a diagnosis of a serious medical condition, deterioration in eyesight, or a significant collision - there may be no option other than to stop driving immediately.

In these instances, the loss of independence can be confronting and the person will need transport support from friends and family, so they can complete daily living tasks and not become isolated.

Watch this video for advice about planning ahead to help you prepare to remain active in your community if you choose to stop driving or need to stop driving.

There are lots of alternatives to driving, including taxis, rideshare services (such as Uber or Shebah), public transport, travelling with friends or family, home delivery, and for those of us still physically active, walking or riding a bicycle.

Melbourne metropolitan public transport is free to Seniors Card holders travelling within two zones on Saturdays and Sundays.

Most councils offer local transport solutions, including community buses or volunteer organisations that provide transport for medical appointments. (See resources at the bottom of this page for options.)

Self-regulation strategies

Aiming to reduce your driving over time is a good way to reduce the safety risk to yourself and others, enabling you to gradually retire from driving.

This might start with not driving at night or avoiding scenarios many drivers find stressful - such as driving on busy freeways or in unfamiliar areas.

Sensible self-regulation strategies for reducing driving risk include:

avoiding busy roads and peak hour traffic
avoiding glare by not driving at night or into the setting or rising sun
taking extra care when driving from shaded areas into sunlight and vice versa
avoiding driving in bad weather – such as rain, fog or frost
not driving on days when you are tired or not feeling your best
avoiding making right-hand turns at intersections without traffic lights
choosing the safest route, rather than the most direct one
reducing the length of your drive by driving to the most convenient bus, train or tram stop.

Watch our video for more information on self-regulating your driving.

Visit our ageing and safe driving fact sheet to use our self-assessment guide. It's designed to help you work out if you need to reduce your driving or stop all together.

Talking to someone about their driving

If safety is in doubt, you can’t avoid a discussion about driving.

If you have concerns about someone’s driving, you need to talk to them about it - whether they're a spouse, a parent, or a friend.

Be open to sharing what you have observed. It’s also vital to provide support and advice to people during any transition away from driving.

It's often difficult to view our own driving objectively. If someone raises concerns about your driving, it’s important to listen and think about your safety and the safety of others who share the road with you.

Below are some tips to help you prepare to have a conversation with a loved one or a friend about their driving.

Prepare for the conversation

Be sensitive. Choose a time when they aren't driving and are in a relaxed environment. Be mindful that driving is often linked to a person’s identity and independence, and it’s important to show respect for their driving experience.

Safety is the central message - for the driver and the safety of others. A history of safe driving should be acknowledged, but it's not a predictor of future risk of crashes. The consequences of unsafe driving and the potential impact on others are often a motivator for people to reflect on their driving.

If you can, observe their driving and provide specific examples of what concerns you about their driving.

Be mindful that there is a legal requirement for drivers of any age to report any serious or chronic medical conditions or disabilities to Medical Review.

Ask questions and listen

Ask if they have any personal concerns about their driving or situations they find uncomfortable or stressful. Medical advice may be required – such as a check-up with a doctor or an eye test – to clarify fitness to drive.

Often friends or loved ones identify driving issues, as they see the driver in everyday driving situations.

Take a staged approach

Plan to have a number of conversations with them about their driving over time. Our ageing and safe driving fact sheet can help inform these conversations.

Aim for a transition from driving, where possible. The first step might be to limit driving to local or familiar areas, rather than to stop driving altogether.

Look at the list of warning signs and medical conditions that need to be reported to Medical Review.

Offer assistance

If the driver is willing to self-regulate their driving to reduce risk, be supportive and offer to help with transport alternatives to make this transition easier.

It may also help to talk about activities that are important to them and plan alternative ways to get there.

Behaviour change requires planning and practise; it’s the most important part of a smooth transition away from driving.

Reporting a medical condition or driver

A change in health and fitness to drive can occur at any age. It is the driver’s responsibility to report their condition to Medical Review.

Self-reporting medical conditions

All Victorian licence holders are required by law to notify Medical Review of any serious, permanent or long term illness, disability, medical condition or injury (or the effects of treatment for any of those conditions) that may impair their ability to drive safely.

To report a medical condition, complete a Medical Review medical report online with your doctor or submit a paper medical report using the contact information below.

Failure to report a medical condition or disability may put your and other's safety at risk, and may jeopardise your insurance cover.

Reporting friends or family

If you have concerns about someone’s driving, you should raise this directly with them first. We have a list of medical conditions that must be reported to Medical Review once a driver is diagnosed.

If you are genuinely concerned about someone’s ability to drive safely, you can notify Medical Review of your concerns.

Under Victorian law, Medical Review must investigate this information.

You can remain anonymous. People making a report in good faith are protected from legal action and Medical Review won't divulge the identity of people who make a report.

Once reported, that person may be asked to undergo a medical assessment and/or a licence test, if medical opinion suggests a test is appropriate.

Reporting unknown drivers

Anyone can make a report to Victoria Police about a potentially at‑risk driver if you observe unsafe driving issues such as speeding or failing to observe stop signs, traffic lights or roundabout signs.

When you make your report, you'll need to include:

the vehicle registration number
the gender and approximate age of the driver
the date, time, place, an description of the observed behaviour.

Police will establish who was driving at the time and notify Medical Review.

About the medical review process

Once you have notified Medical Review of your medical condition or disability, we'll undertake a fitness to drive assessment. In this process, we'll review the medical report from your doctor or other health professionals.

If you don’t have a medical report, we may request you ask your doctor to complete one. Please be aware we don't cover any costs associated with the medical reports or health appointments.

We assesses each medical report on a case-by-case basis.

If you have a medical condition that could have an impact on your driving, we may ask you to do an assessment with an occupational therapy driver assessor (we'll write to you). You're responsible for the cost associated with this assessment.

If your medical review assessment shows you can drive safely, you'll keep your driver licence/learner permit.

However, depending on the assessment results, you may have specific conditions placed on your driving (see below).

We'll only suspend or cancel your driver licence/learner permit if you:

are assessed as medically unfit to drive
fail a driving assessment
don't provide a medical report upon request
refuse or fail to undergo a test.

Find out more about the medical review process.

Keep your address up to date

After notifying us of your medical condition or disability, it’s important to keep your address up to date as it's likely we'll send you letters about your review.

If you move, you must update your address within 14 days – you can do this online at the VicRoads website, by calling 13 11 71, or at a VicRoads customer service centre

Resources

RACV

Search for ‘Transport options for seniors’ to find a brochure about getting around on all forms of public transport, taxis and by bicycle.

Multi Purpose Taxi Program (MPTP)

The MPTP offers half price taxi fares to Victorians with a severe and permanent disability who are experiencing financial hardship.

Public Transport Victoria

Find information about public transport services.

Traveller’s Aid Companion Service

Trained volunteers meet travellers and accompany you by public transport to and from your medical, work or education appointment in central Melbourne.

Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme

Call: 1300 737 073

Covers some travel and accommodation costs incurred by rural Victorians when travelling more than 100 kilometres one way for specialist medical treatment.

Download a PDF of this page: retiring from driving (PDF).