By law, you must notify the transport authority of your long-term or permanent medical conditions(see Austroads standards for more information). If you are a learner driver, this means telling the transport department of your medical condition or disability when you apply for your learner’s permit.  If you are already a driver and have a new medical condition or disability, you must notify the transport department of this.  You can do this in person at a Service Centre.  The process differs slightly between Queensland and New South Wales:

IN QUEENSLAND: You may notify of a medical condition online or in person at a Service Centre. Please follow this link to learn more.

IN NEW SOUTH WALES: Please present to a Service NSW Centre to notify the RMS of your condition in person.  Alternatively, your doctor can notify the RMS online.  

QLD: If you live in QLD, the Dept. of Transport & Main Roads may require you to fill out the ‘Medical Certificate for Motor Vehicle Driver’ form. The transport department will tell you whether you need to have the form completed when you notify them of your medical condition/disability. You can obtain this form in person from a service centre, OR online by following this link. You must take this form to your GP, who may write on the form that you require an OT Driving Assessment.

**Please note: Depending on the nature of your condition, you may not have to fill out the ‘Medical Certificate for Motor Vehicle Driver’ form. However, you MUST still notify QLD Dept. of Transport of your condition.

NSW: If you live in NSW, when you notify the RMS of your medical condition, they may require your GP or specialist to complete the RMS ‘Medical Fitness to Drive Assessment’ Form. The RMS may post you this form, or you can pick one up in person from a Service NSW Centre. Your GP can also complete this form online. Once this form is completed you must return it to a Service NSW Centre.

It is recommended that your GP or medical specialist completes and signs a written referral outlining your relevant medical history and the reason for the assessment, however this is not a requirement. If another health professional, your support coordinator, or your case manager recommends an assessment, your GP or medical specialist may be asked to provide relevant medical information where appropriate.

1. Obtain written referral from your medical specialist or GP. 
2. The medical specialist or GP to complete the following TMR forms if they have not already done so:
   • Medical Certificate for Drivers (F3712)
   • Private and Commercial Vehicle Driver’s Health Assessment (F3195) 
   • Submit these papers directly to TMR. Please ensure we have a copy of these.
3. Visit your optometrist or ophthalmologist to have a vision assessment.
4. Make contact with Phase One Therapy to book an appointment. We will schedule appointment times for the Occupational Therapist’s off road and on road assessment components and book a specialised driving instructor.

The OTDA will take approximately 2 hours and includes an interview about the person’s medical and driving history, a clinical screen of physical, sensory and cognitive skills required for driving, followed by a practical 1 hour on-road driving assessment. The driving instructor conducts this in their vehicle.

Please allow 3.5 hours for the total assessment.

No, the assessment is completed in a dual controlled vehicle for safety purposes. You cannot complete the assessment in your own vehicle.

During the off-road assessment conducted at your home, we are happy for your carer or family member to observe. During the on-road assessment, due to the complex nature of the assessment, no family/friends/carers are permitted to ride in the car.

Generally, the assessment will be completed at your home. If you prefer a clinic setting and the treating OT considers it appropriate, we can organise a clinic space.

You MUST have a current and valid license to participate in a driver assessment. This means, you may have a class C or C-LRN (learner’s). If your license has been cancelled by your GP (medical suspension), you will need to upgrade your license to a C-LRN for the purpose of the assessment. If you are new to driving completely, you will need to have a learner’s permit prior to the assessment.
If you have a current legal suspension due to traffic violations, you are NOT permitted to do a driver assessment until the duration of the suspension term is carried out.

Assessment fees will be discussed at the time of booking. A non-refundable deposit is required to secure your appointment. Fees are inclusive of the initial OT assessment including on and off-road appointments, driving instructor fee and report writing. There maybe a travel fee if the client is located outside our geographic service area. We will discuss this at the time of booking.

A Medicare rebate may apply to some clients. Please discuss your eligibility with your GP.
Clients may be eligible for private health fund rebates. Please phone your private healthcare provider to discuss your eligibility.
NDIS clients may be eligible to have the assessment covered by their funding. Please speak to your support coordinator/ LAC to determine if your NDIS plan has sufficient funding.
WorkCover clients may be eligible to have the assessment covered. Please speak to your case manager.
Home Care Package (HCP) clients may be eligible to have some, or all of the costs covered. Please speak to your case manager.

The Occupational Therapist will discuss the assessment outcome with you. Visit your medical specialist or GP as soon as possible, regardless of the result. Your medical specialist or GP makes the final decision about your ability to drive.

The Occupational Therapist will complete a comprehensive report and send it to the Department of Transport and Main Roads, the referring medical specialist or GP, you, and any other recipients you nominate.