Mandatory reporting of medical conditions
What you need to report
If you plan on driving in Western Australia, or are applying to do so and suffer from a permanent or long term injury or illness that is likely to impair your ability to drive a motor vehicle, you are required by law to report this to us.
More information on some of the conditions which need to be reported and what to do when renewing or transferring your licence can be found on the General guidelines for drivers with medical conditions page.
Conditions or treatments for conditions which may stop you from driving safely are ones which adversely affect your:
- Perception
- Judgement
- Response time and
- General physical capability.
Mandatory reporting of this kind has already been introduced in every State and Territory in Australia.
Examples
Below are some examples of medical conditions which will need to be reported to us:
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Chronic arthritis and other joint problems
- Eye problems, like glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration
- Sleep disorders, like sleep apnoea
- Parkinson's Disease and other neurological disorders
- Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease
- Depression and other mental health problems, like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychosis
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- ADD and ADHD
- Lung disease
- Injuries and physical disabilities, including limb amputation and partial or complete paralysis
- Alcohol dependency
- Drugs – illicit/prescription and over the counter
- Fainting
- Fits
- Giddiness
- High/low blood pressure
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This list isn't exhaustive.
If you are unsure whether your condition should be reported, please contact us.
How to report a condition
To report a condition to us that may impair your ability to drive, you need to do so in writing. You must include the following information:
- Full details of the medical condition you are reporting;
- full name address;
- date of birth;
- contact numbers; and
- your driver’s licence number.
This written advice can be:
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What happens next?
Once we have received the information from you concerning your condition and your contact details, we will review the documentation and write to inform you on what action, if any, is required
This notification may require you to do one of the following things:
- Have your driver’s licence updated detailing that you need to wear suitable visual aids whilst driving;
- Undertake and pass a medical assessment; and/or
- Undertake and pass a practical driving assessment;
- No further action (medical or practical assessments) is required.
The written notification you receive from us will inform you of what actions you need to take.
Once you have taken the required action and completed the required assessments you will need to send us the results of these actions. Details of how you should do this will be included in the initial written confirmation from us.
We will then review these results and notify you of the outcome. If you have satisfied the requirements sufficiently, you may be able to continue to drive.
If you fail to satisfy the requirements of the testing requested by us, your licence could be suspended or cancelled.
What will be shown on your licence
Specific details of any medical condition that you report to us will not be displayed on your licence. The only items that will be displayed on your licence are:
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The date when your medical assessment is due, if you require one, before the renewal of your licence can take place. Your licence will be updated with the phrase:
"Medical Assessment required prior to renewal in DD/MM/YYYY"
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Information concerning the need to take medication for a medical conditions. No specific information about your condition or the treatment will be added to your licence. Your licence will be updated with the phrase:
"To take medication as prescribed".
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Information detailing any visual aids you need in order to drive safely. Your licence will be updated with the phrase:
"To wear suitable visual aids whilst driving".
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Frequently asked questions
- What is Mandatory Reporting of medical conditions?
Mandatory Reporting of medical conditions is the legislative requirement of all licence holders to notify the Department of any long term or permanent medical condition they suffer from, if they haven't previously notified the Department.
- Why is medical mandatory reporting legilstaion in place in Western Australia?
On 17 March 2008, Western Australia implemented the mandatory reporting of long term of permanent medical condition process which is a road safety initiative. The legislation was put in place due to recommendations made from a Coroner's inquest into the death of a WA driver. The death occurred when a Driver who was suffering from a medical condition which impaired their ability to drive, caused a traffic accident.
- What constitutes a medical condition?
Any physical disability or mental disorder that is likely to impair a person's ability to control a motor vehicle is what is referred to as a permanent or long term medical condition.
A range of medical conditions, as well as certain treatments, may impair a person's ability to undertake the complex task of driving a motor vehicle. These conditions may impair the driver's perception, judgement, response time and reasonable physical capability.
For some examples of conditions that do need to be reported then please see the list above.
- I already do medicals for my driver's licence. Am I still required to advise Department of my medical condition?
No, if you have already notified the Department in the past of your medical condition, you don't have to notify the Department again.
- I did a medical assessment for my driver's licence previously, do I have to do another one?
If you have already notified the Department in the past of you medical condition and completed a Medical Assessment Form (M107A) a Senior's Declaration Form (M108A) with your medical practitioner, you will not be required to notify the Department again.
If you are currently required to undertake regular medical assessments with your medical practitioner as a condition of holding a driver's licence, these assessments will continue.
The new Mandatory Reporting requirements will not have any affect on any scheduled assessments you may already have or require in the future.
- Should I report a medical condition even if I have not experienced any symptoms for some time?
Yes. You are required to inform the Department whether you have a long term medical condition that may affect your driving even if the symptoms are under control. In many instances, upon a health professional's advice, you would most likely be able to continue driving, but it is important that the information has been reported.
- I only have a vehicle registered in my name but not a current or valid licence. Do I still need to report a medical condition?
No, only valid Western Australian Driver licence holders need to report.
- Do I need to complete the form if I have no medical condition to report?
No.
- I have only just recently completed a medical assessment for the Department, do I need to complete this form?
If your condition or treatment has changed, since then, yes.
- How will my insurance be affected if I don’t report my condition and have an accident?
There may be ramifications however you will need to check with your individual private insurance company.
- Will the Department provide the information to insurance companies?
No information is given to insurance companies or third parties.
- Will this make insurance premiums higher?
You will need to check with your individual private insurance company.
- Will I have to provide updates every year?
Updates are required when there has been a change in your previously notified condition or treatment. It may or may not be a period of 1 year. Regular medical reviews or assessments may be requested by the Department.
- I’m not sure if my medical condition is reportable?
Please call 1300 852 722 or see your doctor to find out?
- I need to wear glasses or contact lenses for driving, do I have to tell the Department?
Yes, you are required to advise of your need to wear suitable visual aids whilst driving, if you have not previously notified the Department. These details will then be updated on your driver's licence.
- When I report my medical condition, how will my licence be affected?
How your licence is affected by the declaration of your medical condition depends on the condition itself and the action taken by the Department in determining your fitness to hold a driver's licence.
You may be asked to:
- undertake a medical assessment with your health professional, or
- undertake a practical driving assessment, or
- your licence may be amended requiring you to only drive under certain circumstances, or
- your licence may not be affected at all.
The Department will notify you in writing of the status of your licence.
- How can I manage my driving if I have a medical condition?
Your health professional may suggest limitations or restrictions to your driving, such as:
- daylight driving only
- driving an automatic car only
- to take medication as prescribed
- wear suitable visual aids whilst driving
This acknowledges you are still medically fit to drive - but under certain conditions. In this situation, the Department will condition your licence and you will need to drive according to the restrictions or limitations that have been imposed.
- How long will my licence be subject to conditions?
It depends on your medical condition and how long it needs to be monitored. This decision will be reviewed if the Department receives advice from your medical practitioner as to the status of your condition.
Prior to the renewal of your driver's licence, you may be required to undergo a medical assessment of your fitness to drive.
- Who is a health professional?
A health professional can include such people as a:
- doctor,
- specialist,
- occupational therapist or
- physiotherapist.
These people are qualified to check if you are medically fit to drive. If required, they will complete a medical certificate reporting on your fitness to drive and send it to the Department.
- What will happen if I don't notify the Department?
It is an offence not to notify the Department of your medical condition, and the penalty for committing this offence is $500.00.
It is possible, however this is not the case in most instances.
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