Fitness to drive: vision and health guidelines

Key points:

• Neuroscience Research Australia researchers suggest that maintaining good eye health could help reduce the risk of dementia in older Australians
• Vision impairments may cause some people to socially isolate and therefore increase their risk of developing dementia
• Australian states and territories have different driving licence regulations regarding eyesight requirements and dementia

Older Australians should continue to get their vision checked regularly to reduce their risk of dementia and ensure they stay connected to their community. 

Most people with blindness or vision impairments are over the age of 50 years, however, some people are at greater risk than others. These conditions occur at three times the rate in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities compared to other Australians.

Dementia is an umbrella term for cognitive or neurological illnesses. These are disorders that affect the brain and progressively impact a person’s ability to function.

Changes in memory, thinking and behaviour are symptoms of dementia and can impact how you relate to other people.

Neuroscience Research Australia Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Cognitive Health Dr Nikki-Anne Wilson highlighted the impact of a person’s declining vision and why Australians should maintain good eye health.

“A decline in vision can be caused by a range of factors, some of which are treatable. For example, cataracts or vision decline that can be supported with the correct glasses,” she said.

“What the research is now showing is that identifying these changes early and addressing them may help reduce the risk of developing dementia.

“[…] People experiencing poorer vision may be more likely to avoid social events due to anxiety and this too may impact their cognitive performance.”

Therefore, if you experience a decline in vision, it’s a good idea to get it checked out to prevent permanent vision impairment or possible cognitive decline.

Having problems with your vision may impact your ability to drive and the licence you can carry. Modified or conditional licenses may impact the times you can drive or how far you can drive from your home, however, driver’s licence regulations and eyesight requirements vary across Australia.

Dementia can impact your driving ability so you should inform your insurance agency and your local licensing authority to learn more about the next steps. Some people with dementia can still hold a current driver’s licence.

In Australia, C-class drivers, i.e. cars, motorcycles or small trucks, should be able to pass an eye test, with either corrected or uncorrected vision in their better eye with 6/12 vision. This eyesight requirement means that you can see something six metres away that a person with good vision could see from 12 metres away.

Some conditions that may affect your driving ability include blackouts, diabetes, heart disease, neurological conditions, e.g. dementia, and sleep disorders. 

A person with vision impairments may experience ‘dark spots’ in their vision, fuzzy or clouded vision or difficulty seeing things far away. These problems can make it difficult to read road signs, see traffic light signals and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.

New South Wales

You must pass an eyesight test every five years after you turn 45 and then annually after you turn 75. Health conditions and disability affecting your eyesight and driving ability should be declared. As a result, you may be required to undergo a medical assessment to determine your fitness to drive. 

You must declare any changes in your eyesight and will need to provide a report from your optometrist or ophthalmologist. If you need contact lenses or glasses to drive, you must sit another eyesight test.

Victoria

Drivers with long-term or permanent vision impairment must report this by submitting a doctor’s medical assessment to VicRoads. After receiving this, VicRoads will confirm if further assessment is required and how this could impact your driver’s licence conditions.

Queensland

If you have any medical conditions that could affect your ability to drive, you must report these at a transport and motoring customer service centre or by completing a medical condition notification form. 

South Australia

If you are diagnosed with an eye condition such as glaucoma or macular degeneration, you’ll need to get your vision assessed by an optometrist. If they express concern about your eyesight related to driving, you’re legally required to write to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles at GPO Box 1533, Adelaide SA and this may impact the conditions of your licence.

Western Australia

You must declare any medical conditions and if you use any visual aids for driving such as contact lenses or glasses to the Department of Transport. 

Your licence conditions may be amended to include a requirement to wear these visual aids while driving to ensure you meet the eyesight requirements in Western Australia. If your eyesight improves, you’ll need a health professional such as an optometrist to confirm this and post the application to GPO Box R1290, Perth 6844 WA.

Tasmania

People who experience vision problems or other conditions that could affect their driving must legally inform the Tasmanian Registrar of Motor Vehicles as soon as possible. Depending on your condition, you may be required to undertake driving or medical assessments.

Northern Territory

If you notice a change in vision or have a medical condition that can affect your vision, you should see a health professional to get your eyesight formally assessed. 

If you are applying for a learner driver’s licence or transferring your licence from another country, an eyesight test is required.

Australian Capital Territory

To retain a driving licence and demonstrate fitness to drive in the ACT, Australians must do an eye test when they are 50, 60, 65 and 70. People aged 75 years and over must have a yearly medical assessment from their doctor.

To learn more about other state and territory requirements for driver’s licences and how seniors could be the next batch of driving students, visit the Talking Aged Care website.

Looking after your eyes means seeing your doctor or optometrist when you experience issues with your eyes, no matter how insignificant the problem may seem. For example, you should see a health professional when your eyes, or the area near your eyes, feel tender, are swollen or appear red to ensure you receive appropriate eye care.

Additionally, if you start seeing ‘flashing lights,’  experiencing extreme pain or having vision problems with nausea or a headache, you should head to your local emergency department. 

Declaring medical conditions that could impact your driving is important to ensure your safety and the safety of other road users. If you can no longer drive because of vision impairments, using public transport is a good way to stay connected with your community and meet with friends.

While getting your vision checked is important, seeing your doctor regularly for other health checks means you can stay on top of any concerns. 

Health issues can affect men and women differently and seeing your doctor regularly can help you better navigate health concerns for men over 60 years old and health concerns for women over 60 years old.

For example, older women can be more at risk of having certain health conditions because of hormonal changes and barriers to accessing health care for older women include long waitlists, cost and stigma of certain conditions.

In comparison, men may face other barriers including general avoidance of seeing a doctor, embarrassment related to talking about certain health concerns and fear of seeming ‘weak’ for seeking help.

What are your thoughts on getting regular health check-ups as an older Australian?

Let the team at the Aged Care Guide know on social media. 

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