Driving, Your Health and The Law
Driving a motor vehicle is an essential part of most people’s lives. However, the privilege of driving also comes with certain responsibilities. Driving a motor vehicle is a complex task that requires perception, good judgement, adequate responsiveness and reasonable physical capability. For your safety and the safety of others, you must only drive when you are medically fit to do so. A range of medical conditions (mental or physical) may adversely affect your ability to drive safely, and could result in a crash causing death or injury. Follow your doctor’s advice and know your legal responsibilities before you drive on Queensland roads.
Your Duties as a Driver Licence Holder
As a Queensland driver licence holder, you are required to promptly tell the Department of Transport and Main Roads of any long-term or permanent medical condition that is likely to adversely affect your ability to drive safely. You must tell the department as soon as a condition develops or if there is a long-term increase to an existing condition. You cannot wait until you renew your licence.
When applying for a Queensland driver licence, you must tell the department of any medical condition that may adversely affect your ability to drive safely. You may need a medical certificate confirming your fitness to drive. Your doctor may also recommend that your licence be subject to conditions. If you fail to report your condition, you may receive a penalty of more than $6000 and be disqualified from driving.
For more information The Department of Transport and Main Roads has made reporting a medical condition easier through the use of online forms, which are available at www.tmr.qld.gov.au/medicalconditions. Alternatively, download the Medical Certificate for Motor Vehicle Driver form (F3712).
To lodge your medical condition form (F3712), you can: Visit – a departmental Customer Service Centre – an authorised Queensland Government Agency Program office – a licence-issuing police station. Mail Medical Condition Reporting Unit Department of Transport and Main Roads Locked Bag 2000 Red Hill Rockhampton Qld 4701 Fax 07 4931 1624 Email mcr@tmr.qld.gov.au For more information or to find forms visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au/medicalconditions or contact the department’s call centre on 13 23 80* Monday to Friday 8am–5pm, excluding public holidays.
The Assessing Fitness to Drive publication, used by your doctor to assess your fitness to drive, can be viewed at www.austroads.com.au/aftd. Information in this guide is current as at June 2022. * Local call charge in Australia. Higher rates apply from mobile phones and payphones.
Jet's Law
The story of Jet Rowland demonstrates why managing your medical condition is essential. In 2004, a driver with epilepsy had a seizure and crashed into the car Jet was travelling in. Jet, 22 months old, was killed by the impact of the crash. Jet’s seven-year-old brother Bailey now uses a wheelchair and his mother Anita was also severely injured. Medical condition reporting legislation introduced after the tragic death of Jet Rowland has been named Jet’s Law in his recognition.
How will I know if I have a medical condition that may affect my driving?
You should talk to your doctor.
Conditions include, but are not limited to:
• blackouts or fainting
• diabetes (early and late onset)
• epilepsy
• eye problems (for example, cataracts)
• hearing problems
• heart disease
• psychiatric disorders
• sleep disorders
• stroke
• alcohol or drug dependency.